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 (432:1/112)

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 (432:1/112)

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 (432:1/112)

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 (432:1/112)

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 (432:1/112)

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 (432:1/112)

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 (432:1/112)

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 (432:1/112)

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 (432:1/112)

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 (432:1/112)

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 (432:1/112)

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 (432:1/112)

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 (432:1/112)

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 (432:1/112)

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 (432:1/112)

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 (432:1/112)

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 (432:1/112)

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 (432:1/112)

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 (432:1/112)

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 (432:1/112)

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 (432:1/112)

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 (432:1/112)

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 (432:1/112)

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 (432:1/112)

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 (432:1/112)

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 (432:1/112)

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 (432:1/112)

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 (432:1/112)

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 (432:1/112)

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 (432:1/112)

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 (432:1/112)

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 (432:1/112)

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 (432:1/112)

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 (432:1/112)

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 (432:1/112)

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 (432:1/112)

CUBESAT WILL USE INFLATABLE ANTENNA SYSTEM

NEIL/ANCHOR: Innovative antenna technology is being featured as part of a CubeSat project under way in Arizona. Jack Parker, W8ISH, gives us those details.

JACK: Students at the University of Arizona have finished their work on a CubeSat project that will be launched into low Earth orbit later this year. One of the innovations the CubeSat will use is inflatable antenna technology developed by one of the school's astronomy professors.

By striving to stay in a sun synchronous orbit around Earth, the small satellite, known as CatSat, will remain in daylight through most of the
length of its mission. Its inflatable antenna system was developed by professor Christopher Walker, who serves as the team's science principal investigator. The inflatable antenna will be used for high bandwidth transmission. According to the website of Freefall Aerospace, where Walker developed the antenna, the system makes use of an ultra-lightweight
inflatable structure that provides a large aperture high-gain antenna that
can be deployed in orbit.

The CatSat's mission will also include detection of HF signals from amateur radio operators around the world through its use of a WSPR antenna. Those transmissions will be downlinked to a receiver at the school's Biosphere 2 facility on the Arizona campus. CatSat will also be collecting high-
resolution images of Earth and providing data on the ionosphere.

The project is part of NASA's CubeSat Launch Initiative.

This is Jack Parker, W8ISH.

(ARIZONA PUBLIC MEDIA, UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA)

**

SWISS STUDENTS' SATELLITE PREPARES FOR LAUNCH

NEIL/ANCHOR: An educational satellite built by Swiss students is being prepared for an important launch in February, as we learn from Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

JEREMY: With the help of a ham radio antenna donated by the Vaudois Amateur Radio Club, HB9MM, high school students in Switzerland will be learning how
to download telemetry data and photos from a satellite they have helped
build in a laboratory at Orbital Solutions in Monaco.

The RoseyCubesat-1 is the first educational satellite of its kind to be created through the company's STEMSAT programme. Le Rosey is the name of the Swiss learning institute that the students attend. They will be able to send commands to the CubeSat to select telemetry and picture download or to
switch it into its VU transponder mode so that amateurs around the world
will be able to communicate over the small satellite. The downlink using
BPSK and AX25 is on 436.825 MHz and when the transponder is enabled, its uplink will be on 145.850 MHz. The launch is expected to take place on the 14th February at the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

This is Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

(ORBITAL SOLUTIONS MONACO, AMSAT, IARU)

**

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the WB5ITT repeater
of the Triangle Repeater Association in Houston, Texas, on Mondays at 7:30 p.m.
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)

NEWCOMERS GET SPOTLIGHT FOR RSGB CONSTRUCTION CONTEST

PAUL/ANCHOR: A construction and software contest in the UK is opening its
door a little wider to give special attention to new and young radio
amateurs. We have those details from Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

JEREMY: New Foundation licence holders and young amateurs under the age
of 24 are being given special recognition in the Construction Competition organised by the Radio Society of Great Britain. Competitors have until
the 1st of March to submit their entries in four categories: beginners, construction excellence, innovation and software. This competition is
being held over the internet and the judging is taking place online. The
RSGB states on its website that the challenges posed are in recognition
of the vital role construction plays in amateur radio.

Details on how to enter can be found on the website that appears in the
text version of this week's newscast at arnewsline.org

Cash prizes will be awarded in each category and the overall winner will
be presented with the bonus of the Pat Hawker G3VA Trophy. The trophy is
named in honour of Pat, who became a Silent Key in 2013 at the age of 90.
Pat had been the author of the "Technical Topics" column in the RSGB's
RadComm magazine.

This is Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

[DO NOT READ: rsgb.org/main/construction-competition/ ]

**

FCC HELPS UNDERWRITE EXAM COST FOR YOUNG KENTUCKY AMATEURS

PAUL/ANCHOR: Young amateurs are a priority for one club in Kentucky which
is helping young candidates make use of a relatively new financial
benefit from the FCC. Jack Parker, W8ISH, tells us what this means.

JACK: One amateur radio club in Kentucky is making full use of an FCC
measure that helps cover costs for amateur radio candidates under the age
of 18. The Paducah Amateur Radio Association is encouraging local
youngsters between 8 and 13 to join the club's program, which it calls "Pre-teen Talkers." The goal is to help them take the FCC licensing exam
and get on the air. Last April, the FCC and the American Radio Relay
League announced a negotiated agreement permitting Volunteer Examiners at amateur radio club to waive the $35 license fee for applicants under the
age of 18, and to reduce the $15 ham radio testing fee to $5.

Club secretary Michael Durr, KN4TIP, told local TV station WPSD that
those who pass the entry level Technician Exam will become eligible for a
free handheld radio to be given to them by the club.

This is Jack Parker, W8ISH.

(WPSD LOCAL 6, ARRL)

**

SILENT KEY: MUSICIAN, EDUCATOR RODNEY MOAG, W5NDS

PAUL/ANCHOR: In the Texas amateur radio community and beyond, hams are grieving the loss of an influential colleague of many talents: professor emeritus of linguistics, country-and-bluegrass radio host, recording
artist and performer and, not least of all, active radio amateur. Rodney
Moag, W5NDS, was a ragchewer and a popular presence on 10 meters and elsewhere. He became a Silent Key on Thursday, January 19th at his home
in Austin, Texas.

Born with juvenile glaucoma, he became blind at the age of 7. He was
first licensed in 1951 as W2KUV when he was a 14 year old student at the
New York State School for the Blind. Rod operated almost exclusively on
AM and CW for more than 10 years before expanding into other modes.
According to his bio on the Quarter Century Wireless Association webpage,
he was the only active ham in his high school ham club and continued
being active even in college. He remained an active ham throughout most
of his 86 years.

His talent in music and his academic work in linguistics took him to many places around the world, either touring as a musician or studying
languages. In the late 1970s, while teaching at the University of the
South Pacific in Fiji, he operated as 3D2RM.

He was a former vice-president of the Austin Amateur Radio Club, a
longtime member of the Texas VHF FM Society and a life member of ARRL and
the QCWA.

(QCWA, QRZ.COM, AUSTIN CHRONICLE)

**

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the K3ALG
repeater in Palmerton, Pennsylvania, on Sundays at 4:30 p.m. local time.
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)

PROTOTYPE WIRELESS SYSTEM CALLED 'POWER-FREE'

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Imagine being able to transmit without having to rely on a battery or some other external power source. Well, a group of researchers
in Washington State did more than imagine it. We hear the details from Kent Peterson, KC0DGY.

KENT: A research team in Washington state has developed a prototype of wireless communication that enables a signal to be transmitted by relying
on a byproduct of its circuitry's electrical resistance instead of any external source of power. This new system differs from previous so-called passive wireless and backscatter communication systems because unlike its predecessors, it does not need to make use of sunlight, broadcast TV
signals or ambient temperature differences to provide it with power. The electrical resistance it uses instead is known as "Johnson noise," the name given to the charge that electrically conductive materials generate within themselves. The University of Washington prototype, like its predecessors,
can function on very little power. The wireless - and power-free - transmission occurs through the opening and closing of a switch - a
transistor - that connects the antenna to a resistor.

Findings by the university development team were released by the university and published as well on the Hackaday website and by the news organization known as The Conversation. The researchers write on the university website: [quote] "Our system, combined with techniques for harvesting energy from
the environment, could lead to all manner of devices that transmit data, including tiny sensors and implanted medical devices, without needing batteries or other power sources. These include sensors for smart
agriculture, electronics implanted in the body that never need battery changes, better contactless credit cards and maybe even new ways for satellites to communicate." [endquote]

This is Kent Peterson, KC0DGY.

(UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON, THE CONVERSATION.COM)

**

ARDC REPORTS ON $8 MILLION IN GRANTS GIVEN IN 2022

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Grant money helped amateur radio grow in new directions
last year. Here's a short accounting from Sel Embee, K B 3 T Zed D.

SEL: The private foundation known as Amateur Radio Digital Communications continued to spread its support for ham radio and broader communication science and technology during 2022. According to the annual report released
at its community meeting on January 21st, ARDC distributed 101 grants
totaling $8 million last year. It expanded support across international borders, with 13 percent of that grant money going to programs outside the United States. Meanwhile, ARDC's plans for the year ahead include providing funds for 95 scholarships; thirteen of those will be going to support women who are pursuing degrees in STEM studies.

ARDC's 2022 survey of 44Net usage drew a response that exceeded its expectations, more than 1700 replies. The system, also known as the AMPRNet
or Amateur Packet Radio Network, is an internet network often used for scientific and digital purposes.

ARDC also introduced its new technical director. Jon Kemper K-A-6-N-V-Y
came on board at the ARDC in October of 2022. The California amateur brings
a strong background of engineering management experience.

This is Sel Embee, KB3TZD.

(ARDC)

**

SKYWARN TEAM OPTS FOR SURPRISE IN NEXT DRILL

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: In Western Pennsylvania, some emergency responders are in
for a big surprise - and that's the whole idea behind their next exercise.
We find out why from Randy Sly, W4XJ.

RANDY: As amateur radio operators. we are supposed to plan for emergencies, but we can never plan on emergencies. That's why such events as the ARRL Simulated Emergency Tests, or SETs, are good, but participants still know ahead of time when and where an activity will take place.

So, the Southwest District Skywarn Team Of Western Pennsylvania is building the element of surprise into their upcoming training exercise. Sometime
before the next SET on April 1st, they will have an unexpected weather exercise initiated by the Pittsburgh National Weather Service Office. When SKYWARN is activated, they will then be told how serious the weather event
is, whether there is internet or cell service and the status of power. From then on, spotters will be deployed and begin their work just as in an
actual emergency. Eddie Misiewicz (Mi-sh� -vitz - short e), KB3YRU,
president of the group, told AR Newsline that the unexpected is always part
of a normal activation and that hams will be better prepared for an actual emergency when their training begins with "Surprise! This is a test."

This is 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 KB9LPP repeater
in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin on Saturdays at 9 a.m. and on Echolink.
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)

HAMS ADD MOMENTUM TO PANCREATIC CANCER EVENT

PAUL/ANCHOR: A call has gone out for operators across the United States
to participate in a one-day special event, carrying a message of hope and support on behalf of pancreatic cancer patients. Jim Damron, N8TMW, tells
us how to get involved.

JIM: When supporters in 30 US cities step off for a Walk-a-thon on
Saturday, April 29th to support the nonprofit Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, the event will be gaining some added momentum: Just as the
walkers take strides on the ground, special event station N3P will be
taking strides on the air.

Hams for PanCan, as the event is known, is an expansion of last year's
first effort with a dozen or so members of the Skyview Radio Society near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, according to organizer Rich Ryba, WQ3Q. Rich
hopes that news about resources available to pancreatic cancer patients
and their families can go an even greater distance this year -- coast to coast. The event has special significance for Rich. He lost his younger brother to the disease and is a pancreatic cancer patient himself.

Speaking to Newsline on the phone, he said that the QSOs aren't typical special-event exchanges: [quote] "People want to talk, want to share
their experiences with their family. We told our operators to sit and
listen. It doesn't matter how long the contact takes if it serves a
purpose of helping." [endquote]

Operators are needed in all 50 states. Rich can be contacted directly at
his email address r-y-b-a-r at nb dot net (rybar@nb.net).

The QRZ.com page for N3P has additional details for clubs or individual operators who want to participate. QSL cards and certificates will be
made available for successful contacts.

This is Jim Damron, N8TMW.

(RICH RYBA, WQ3Q)

**

SYDNEY HAM RADIO CLUB MARKS 100TH YEAR

PAUL/ANCHOR: There is cause for celebration in Sydney, Australia, where
one amateur radio club is marking a milestone. Here's Richard, VK2SKY, a member of that club, with his special report.

RICHARD: G'day Amateur Radio Newsline listeners, this is Richard VK2SKY,
for the Manly-Warringah Radio Society in Sydney, Australia. February 26
this year is a big day for us.

That date marks 100 years since the first meeting of the Manly and
District Radio Club, in 1923. That club eventually became the Manly-
Warringah Radio Society.

To celebrate, we'll be activating the Special Event Station V I 100 MB,
on the day, and throughout 2023.

To find out more, check out Victor India One Hundred Mike Bravo on
qrz.com, and visit the Society's web site at mwrs.org.au, that's Mike
Whiskey Romeo Sierra dot org dot au.

Hope to catch you on the bands!

For Amateur Radio Newsline, and the Manly-Warringah Radio Society in
Sydney, Australia, I'm Richard, VK2SKY.

**

SILENT KEY: DXER, DXPEDITIONER MAMIRO YOSHIZAWA PY2DM

PAUL/ANCHOR: A respected DXer and noted DXpeditioner from Brazil has
become a Silent Key, as we learn from Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

JEREMY: Mamiro Yoshizawa, PY2DM, was well-known among Brazilian amateurs
as a radio operator with an enthusiasm for DX and a special affinity for
using the 50 MHz band. He was a familiar presence in national and international contests and had been a key operator during the T30PY and
T30SIX DXpedition to Western Kiribati in 2012. Mamiro became a Silent Key
on the 5th of February. According to a report that appears on QRZ.com, Mamiro's home QTH in the Brazilian city of Mogi das Cruzes had one of the best-equipped stations for DXing in the nation

Mamiro Yoshizawa was 83.

This is Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

(QRZ.COM)

**

OFCOM APPROVES SPECIAL CALLS FOR 2 MORE DX CONTESTS

PAUL/ANCHOR: In the UK, Ofcom has added two more DX contests to its list
of events qualifying for special call signs. Jeremy Boot, G4NJH, has that report.

JEREMY: Two UK and Ireland DX contests have been added to the list of
events that qualify for special contest callsigns from Ofcom. The
callsigns are administered by the Radio Society of Great Britain on
behalf of the regulator and hams are advised to visit the RSGB website if
they wish to apply. They are available to any holder of a UK Amateur
Radio Full Licence or Full Club Licence and the contests can last no
longer than 48 hours. The list of qualifying contests can be seen on the
RSGB website. Calls will begin with the letter "G" or "M" followed by a numeral and a one-letter suffix. See the link in the text version of this week's Newsline script to learn more and to see the contest list.

This is Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

[FOR PRINT ONLY: tinyurl.com/b6srkkhu ]
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)

SILENT KEY: FORMER FCC CHIEF ENGINEER RAY SPENCE, W4QAW

NEIL/ANCHOR: A noted contester and DXer who had once been the chief
engineer for the Federal Communications Commission has become a Silent
Key. We learn more about him from Jim Damron, N8TMW.

JIM: Raymond Spence, W4QAW, was so devoted to contesting and DXing that a
1984 newspaper interview with him described the traffic-stopping view his collection of towers provided to motorists who would see them from a
nearby highway. The Washington Post article noted that much of the six
and a half acres of Raymond's property in Virginia served him well.
Raymond, who was retired from the post as chief engineer for the FCC in
nearby Washington, DC, became a Silent Key on February 18th, due to heart failure.

Born in 1929, he was an active ham for much of his life. His basement
radio room served as his main contest station and he was a top performer
in many major contests. He is listed on the DXCC Honor Roll and was a
member of the National Capitol DX Association and the Potomac Valley
Radio Club.

This is Jim Damron, N8TMW.

(WASHINGTON POST, DX NEWS.COM, QRZ.COM)

**

HAMVENTION AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED

NEIL/ANCHOR: If you want to know who's REALLY looking forward to
Hamvention this year, consider this list of amateurs who'll be coming to Dayton to receive some awards. Paul Braun, WD9GCO, has the details.

PAUL: Hamvention has announced this year's award recipients. I spoke with awards committee chair Michael Kalter, W8CI, about them.

KALTER: First is the special achievement winner, Dr. Jason McDonald,
N2TPA. He’s just been instrumental in promoting international friendship
and community through amateur radio by forming scouting clubs in Canada, Philippines, and Florida. Right now there are more than 500 youth in
these clubs that have been licensed and are on the air.

KALTER: This year's Technical Achievement Award goes to Dr. James Breakall, WA3FET, and his work’s been so instrumental in amateur radio antenna technology development for decades. He’s teamed with experts in the
field to develop state-of-the-art advancements with a wide range of applications including the Numeric Electromagnetic Code, NEC.

KALTER: Amateur of the Year goes to Carsten Dauer, DM9EE. He’s been
active in European amateur radio through WRTC and YOTA for 30 years. But
more recently, he has spearheaded a group called DM9EE-Helping Hands, a movement to provide amateur radio equipment to war-torn Ukraine by
collecting donations and delivering them personally to communities in
Ukraine.

PAUL: Amateur Radio Club of the Year goes to The Delaware Valley Radio Association, formed in 1930 to serve the Trenton, New Jersey metropolitan area.

To read more, visit Hamvention's website, hamvention.org. Congratulations
to the winners from all of us at Amateur Radio Newsline.

**

MAJOR INDIAN BROADCASTER HONORS WEST BENGAL HAM

NEIL/ANCHOR: Congratulations to Ambarish Nag Biswas, VU2JFA, secretary of
the West Bengal Radio Club in India, who were Newsline's International Newsmaker of the Year for 2019 and 2022. At a recent ceremony in Kolkata,
he was given the Ananya Samman award from Zee News, a Hindi broadcast
channel that is part of one of India's largest media companies. He told Newsline this was a special honor for him as the first amateur radio recipient. The award is in recognition of the club's life-saving work
during cyclones, the pandemic and in other areas of public concern.
Newsline joins him in celebrating this achievement.

(YOUTUBE)

**

IN SEARCH OF 'YOUNG HAM OF THE YEAR'

NEIL/ANCHOR: We remind our listeners that young hams who live in the continental United States have an opportunity to make news, if they
aren't already doing so, by being a recipient of this year's Amateur
Radio Newsline Bill Pasternak Memorial Young Ham of the Year Award.
Consider nominating an amateur radio operator 18 years of age or younger
-- someone who has talent, promise and a commitment to the spirit of ham radio. Find application forms on our website arnewsline.org under the
"YHOTY" tab. Nominations are now open and close on May 31st.

**

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world including the WA7ABU repeater
in Willamette Valley, Oregon, on Saturdays at 6 p.m. local time.
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)

HAMS IN DELAWARE MOBILIZE FOR SURPRISE WEATHER DRILL

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Fast-moving amateurs in Delaware recently responded to a surprise emergency weather drill. Randy Sly W4XJ tells us what happened
next.

RANDY: SKYWARN and emergency managers in Sussex County on the Delaware Peninsula, hold quarterly exercises they call “Pop Ups,” recognizing
that unexpected emergencies pop up. The latest exercise, called "Pops
in the Dark", began on Saturday, March 4. It called for "all hams on deck"
in Sussex and Kent Counties. Amateurs were mobilized without commercial
power, and throughout the activation, were limited to only whatever fuel
and battery capacity they had at the time.

The exercise was a severe winter storm, with reported ice accumulations
and 10-12" of snow. The event had two parts. On Day 1, the Emergency Operations Center nets worked simultaneously with SKYWARN and then
remained active through the remainder of the exercise. On Days 1 and 2, repeaters were reported down and only simplex frequencies were used.
Barbara Dean, KC3LGE, public information officer Sussex, told AR Newsline that, in addition to coordinating various communications tasks, the nets
also included suggestions on getting the most out of their available
power. Pops in the Dark concluded on March 8, followed by the collection
of after-action reports.

This is Randy Sly, W4XJ.

**

NEW CW NET IN IRELAND ATTRACTS 'NERVOUS NOVICES'

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: In Ireland, hams who love Morse Code but are nervous about getting on the air now have a welcoming on-air spot to try out their new skills. Jeremy Boot, G4NJH, tells us about it.

JEREMY: The newest net in Ireland is called "Nervous Novices." Organised
by Eamo, EI7LC, the 80 metre net is designed to encourage CW newcomers to
get on the air without feeling as if they needed to be proficient enough
for a full ragchew.

Check-in begins from 20:30 local time, meeting somewhere between 3.550 and 3.555 MHz. Amateurs are encouraged to operate QRS to accommodate the
slowest participants. The emphasis is on good operating practices, not
speed.

Get on the air and listen for the call "CQ NNCW"

This is Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

(IRTS)

**

FCC NOMINEE WON'T PURSUE CONFIRMATION

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: The search is on for a new nominee to join the US Federal Communications Commission following a decision by President Joe Biden's nominee to withdraw. Gigi Sohn had been nominated for the vacant FCC seat
but announced on Tuesday, March 7th, that she would not seek the
appointment because of what she characterized as personal attacks.

The attorney is best known as a veteran public interest advocate. Her confirmation as commissioner would have given the Democratic Party a 3-2 majority on the FCC.

(WASHINGTON POST)

**

EX-AGENCY OFFICIALS PRESS TO KEEP AM RADIO IN CARS

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: The fight to keep AM radio in new electric vehicles just gained a few more prominent voices in the US, as we learn from Kent
Peterson, KC0DGY.

KENT: FCC Commissioner Nathan Simington, who has been an outspoken
opponent of carmakers' plans to remove AM broadcast radio from electric vehicles, has been joined by seven former officials in the US emergency management agency. In a letter to US Transportation Secretary Pete
Buttigieg the seven praised AM radio's capacity for long-distance communications, making this broadcast mode [quote] "a vital public
safety system." [endquote]

Commissioner Simington spoke late last year at a convention of the
National Association of Farm Broadcasters and for much the same reasons, described AM radio as "the essential spine" of the Emergency Alert System. Simington said he agreed with the letter written to the transportation secretary and called the push to keep AM radio in electric cars a matter
for urgent attention.

A number of automakers have stopped including AM radios in their vehicles claiming the cars cause electromagnetic interference with AM signals.
Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts recently asked a number of carmakers, including American Honda, Jaguar, General Motors, Kia and BMW, to declare their intentions regarding AM and FM radio.

This is Kent Peterson, KC0DGY.

(RADIO 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 K6TZ repeater,
in Santa Barbara, California, on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. Pacific Time.
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)

CQ MAGAZINE NAMES NEW ASSOCIATE EDITOR

PAUL/ANCHOR: Congratulations to our friends at CQ magazine, where a new associate editor has been hired. Sabrina Herman, KB3UJW, has joined the
staff, succeeding longtime managing editor Jason Feldman, KD2IWM. Sabrina
had previously been managing editor and promotional coordinator for
Hermes Press, a small publisher of books in Pennsylvania. She has been a
ham for 13 years. We wish everyone at the CQ office well.

(CQ MAGAZINE)

**

SAFE SPLASHDOWN FOR FOUR ISS ASTRONAUTS

PAUL/ANCHOR: Welcome home to the four astronauts comprising Crew 5 aboard
the ISS. They splashed down safely just off the coast of Florida. Andy Morrison, K9AWM, has that story.

ANDY: Having finished their five-month stay aboard the International
Space Station, two astronauts from the US, one from Japan and a cosmonaut
from the Russian Space Agency returned to Earth in the Gulf of Mexico
just after 9 p.m. on Saturday, March 10th. Two of the four are amateur
radio operators.

NASA astronauts Josh A. Cassada, KI5CRH, Nicole Aunapu Mann, JAXA
astronaut Koichi Wakata, KC5ZTA, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Anna Kikina are
now safely home following a mission that began last October when they
arrived on the ISS inside a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule. The replacement
team - Crew 6 - arrived on March 3rd to continue the work that includes a number of scientific experiments.

This is Andy Morrison, K9AWM.

(CNN.COM)

**

SILENT KEY: QCWA OFFICER GARY J. KIMBALL, WB2SER

PAUL/ANCHOR: A leader in the Quarter Century Wireless Association has
become a Silent Key. We have that story from Sel Embee, KB3TZD.

SEL: Gary J. Kimball was known throughout New England and central New
York for his company, National Audio, which he cofounded in 1977 with his business partner Mark Gummer, N2IQ. The business provided sound and
lighting systems for music events ranging from the Syracuse Jazz Fest to
the New York State Fair. On the air, he was known as WB2SER, and locally
many knew him as a mentor in the central New York ham community. He was
an officer of the Quarter Century Wireless Association Chapter 29
covering the local Finger Lakes region of New York. QCWA members first received their licenses at least 25 years ago. He was a member of Radio Amateurs of Greater Syracuse and a member of the Liverpool Amateur
Repeater Club. His voice was a familiar one to hams who heard his regular on-air roundups of local hamfests. At the time of his death in late
February, Gary had been retired from his company for about five years, according to his online obituary.

Gary Kimball was 72.

This is Sel Embee, KB3TZD.

(LEGACY.COM. RON PANETTA, WB2WGH)

**

RECORD FINES FOR STATIONS CHARGED WITH PIRACY

PAUL/ANCHOR: A New York City broadcaster charged with piracy has become
the first of two stations to be targeted under a law passed three years
ago enabling larger and, until now, unprecedented penalties. The FCC has proposed a record fine of more than $2.3 million against Radio Impacto 2, which the agency said was still on the air at the time the commission
made its announcement on Wednesday, March 15th. According to a report in
Radio World, the radio signals are being transmitted from the New York
City borough of Queens. Radio Impacto's website calls it "The Official
Radio of Ecuadorians in New York." According to the Radio World report,
the FCC issued a $20,000 forfeiture against the station in 2015 and a
year later its broadcast equipment was seized by US Marshals.

The second station was identified in the Radio World report as "Pirate
Radio Eastern Oregon," and its operator faces an $80,000 forfeiture.

The FCC is awaiting response from both stations.

(RADIO 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 WM9W repeater
in Chicago, Illinois, shortly after midnight local time on Tuesdays
during the Nightcrawlers Net.
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)

PEI AMATEUR HONORED FOR LIGHTHOUSE ACTIVITY

NEIL/ANCHOR: Congratulations to George Dewar, VY2GF, of Prince Edward
Island, Canada, on being chosen Activator of the Year for 2022 by the
Amateur Radio Lighthouse Society. George is being celebrated for his
numerous activations at the region's lighthouses, and for promoting
the activity in the media.

Society president John Huggins, KX4O and Tim Hijazi, KB3K, said that
George was selected for having [quote] "set a high bar, not just with
quantity of lighthouse activations and logged QSOs, but equally with
quality." [endquote].

All the best, George!

**

A SPACE JOURNEY OF EXPLORATION

NEIL/ANCHOR: Amateur radio communication is just one part of the
outer-space experience one ISS astronaut is sharing through a new
website. Here's John Williams, VK2JJW, with that report.

JOHN: The website is known as ELF in Space, and it has been created
by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre in Dubai and the Emirates
Literature Foundation as a communications tool about technology, and
the space programme.

It features Sultan Al Neyadi, KI5VTV, the second astronaut from the
United Arab Emirates. The communications engineer is on board the ISS
for the longest Arab space mission to date. The website's debut was
announced on March 10th. Al Neyadi is giving its visitors a window
into his six-month experience on board the International Space station.
His is not the only voice to be heard. There will be input from some
very terrestrial voices, such as authors and space experts. Other UAE astronauts such as Hazzaa Al Mansoori, and Nora Al Matrooshi, will
join him.

The website has a strong tie-in to the classroom experience, and each
week, new topics will be released, discussing the challenges and
discoveries of space travel. There are also classrooom-based activities
for educators to download for their students.

As part of a 20-week learning programme, students around the world will
watch each episode as it is released with subtitles.

A link to the first episode is in the text version of this week's
newscast at arnewsline.org

This is John Williams, VK4JJW.

[DO NOT READ: https://elfinspace.ae/exercise-in-space/ ]

(GULF NEWS, WIA, MOHAMMED BIN RASHID SPACE CENTRE)

**

AUTISM AWARENESS SPECIAL EVENT BEGINS

NEIL/ANCHOR: Just a reminder that the worldwide special event for Autism Awareness is on the air March 25th through April 2nd, sponsored by the Ten Mile River Scout Camp Amateur Radio Club. Listen for call signs from an international team of operators including W2A, GB2AA, GB2AAW, GB0AAW,
8A0RARI, 4X0AAW, HI0AUT, S76A, and VC2AA.

(QRZ.COM)

**

GETTING TO THE HEART OF THE SUN

NEIL/ANCHOR: Scientists have found the source of a mysterious radio signal from the sun that sounds curiously like a heartbeat. Kent Peterson, KC0DGY, takes the pulse of this remarkable research.

KENT: When a recent C-class solar flare more than 5,000 kilometers above
the sun sent out a radio signal in a heartbeat-like pattern, scientists
began work to unlock the reason behind it. The international team went in search of the origin of this pattern, known as a quasi-periodic pulsation,
or QPP.

Studying observations captured in 2017 by a radio telescope in California
that detects microwave frequencies, the researchers began studying a heartbeat-like pattern that repeated every 10 to 20 seconds. Then they unearthed something unexpected: a secondary signal, which was weaker and
could be discerned every 30 to 60 seconds.

According to their recently published study, they have been able to
determine that the so-called heartbeats are triggered by disruptions
known as "magnetic islands", which form in sheets of rapidly moving
plasma from the sun.

At the heart of the matter is what this research may ultimately reveal: Writing in the journal Nature Communications, one researcher said the
answer was key to a fuller understanding of the scope of the damage that
solar storms can do when their energy is released.

This is Kent Peterson, KC0DGY.

(NEW JERSEY INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, SCI TECH DAILY)
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)

NEW AUSTRALIAN LICENSE PUT ON HOLD

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: The long-awaited new amateur license class is coming
to Australia - but not as quickly as many had hoped. John Williams,
VK4JJW, brings us up to date.

JOHN: Hams in Australia who have been waiting for the introduction of
the new amateur class licence on July 1st, are going to have to wait
a little longer. The Australian Communications and Media Authority
has announced that it must make certain determinations concerning the
licence's operational policy arrangements, and to further clarify the implementation of higher power authorisation.

According to the ACMA website, that includes call sign administration,
public register options, amateur operating procedures, arrangements
for amateur club and international reciprocity for Advanced amateurs
traveling overseas.

The ACMA's review also includes, among other things, its proposed
access for standard-level amateur licensees for the 50–52 MHz band.

The ACMA said it will provide an update in the second quarter of this
year.

This is John Williams, VK4JJW.

(AMCA)

**

ANOTHER VOICE WEIGHS IN TO KEEP AM RADIO IN US CARS

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Another voice has weighed in on the battle to keep AM
radio in cars used in the United States. Kent Peterson, KC0DGY, has
that update.

KENT: A New Jersey lawmaker has added his voice to the growing call in
the United States asking that AM radio become a required safety feature
for all automakers, including electric cars being manufactured in the
US market.

Congressman Josh Gottheimer said he believes that some carmakers' plans
to discontinue AM radio in cars and trucks will post an unnecessary
danger during national emergencies when many alerts are transmitted over broadcast AM frequencies. He compared AM radio to other minimum safety requirements provided in cars, including seatbelts, airbags and brakes.

The lawmaker said the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has
an obligation to put AM radio on that list of minimum standards. He spoke
at a press conference in late March in New Jersey, accompanied by Jordan Walton, the executive director of the New Jersey Broadcasters Association.

A number of carmakers have said that AM radio transmissions are disrupted
by noise generated by electric vehicles, making signal reception poor.

There has been a growing call recently to keep AM radio for motorists in
the US. The most recent voices have been those of seven former officials
of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

This is Kent Peterson, KC0DGY.

(RADIO WORLD)

**

SILENT KEY: EMERGENCY RESPONDER DANIEL RAYMOND, KC1PGR

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Hams and firefighters alike are mourning the death of a colleague in Caribou, Maine. Daniel Raymond, KC1PGR, became a Silent Key
on March 23rd following an automobile accident. Dan had been involved in
rescue and firefighting for much of his adult life. In 1995, he became a
career firefighter for the Caribou Fire and Ambulance Department,
eventually attaining the rank of captain. A devoted public servant on
many levels, Dan was active in community life and taught public-safety education. He was charter member of the Caribou Emergency Amateur Radio
Service and an active operator with the Caribou Radio Amateur Civil
Emergency Service.

Dan was 57.

(T.H. MERRITT, KL5YJ)

**

THE ART OF ANTENNA EXPERIMENTATION

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Imagine an antenna that stands seven stories tall, is
30 feet wide and contains 110 tons of stainless steel, bronze and steel.
Well, it's not really an antenna - it's a sculpture on the campus of a university in New York State - but for just one day in March, it helped
log a contact on 20 meters. Sel Embee, KB3T Zed D, explains.

SEL: The sculpture is called "The Sentinel" and by all accounts, it is
the largest sculpture to stand on any university campus in the United
States. It recently morphed into a 20m antenna that helped log a
successful contact using FT8 on 5 watts. Experiments are a way of life
at the Rochester Institute of Technology in upstate New York, and so
members of the amateur radio club, K2GXT, couldn't resist giving in to
their long-simmering temptation to turn "The Sentinel" from a symbolic
campus guardian into a somewhat artful messenger. The hams first checked
the setup with a NanoVNA, and then let those 5 watts loose, keeping
onlookers at a safe distance while they transmitted. A report by one of
the club members on Reddit said: [quote] "With help from our university's health and safety team, we did this today.....We were able to be heard
almost across the entire eastern half ot the US, at least according to PSKReporter, despite some less-than-amazing band conditions." [endquote]

While this is the first such attempt by the club - and happily a
successful one - the story doesn't end here. The club members wrote:
[quote] "We're really impressed with the results and we hope to do this
again with better band conditions." [endquote]

The sculpture cost $800,000 when it was installed 20 years ago. It might
be more cost-effective next time to just toss a wire into the trees.

This is Sel Embee, KB3TZD.

(HACKADAY, AMATEUR NEWS WEEKLY, RIT, REDDIT)
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)

RADIO WAVES LEAD TO DISCOVERY OF NEW EXOPLANET

DON/ANCHOR: Radio waves have led astronomers to an exoplanet - a planet
beyond our solar system - and it's likely the same size as Earth. Dave
Parks, WB8ODF, gives us the details.

DAVE: Repeating radio signals have led astronomers to a rocky exoplanet
that is the same size as our own Earth and, like the Earth, it orbits a
star -- one known as YZ Ceti. Further studies of the signal suggest that
the planet may also have an atmosphere and a magnetic field. Writing in a recent issue of the journal, Nature Astronomy, the researchers have named
the planet YZ Ceti b. The scientists say that the magnetic field's interactions with the star are the likely cause of the radio signals.

The signals were picked up in New Mexico by the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array of telescopes. The star and exoplanet are 12 light-years away from Earth.

Of course, this is not the first finding of its kind. Last year, the
James Webb Space Telescope discovered its first exoplanet which is also believed to be rocky and almost as big as the Earth. That planet, called
LHS 475b, is 41 light years away. The research team, which announced the discovery this past January, is trying to learn more about the star it
orbits and whether the planet has an atmosphere. That work is set to be
done this summer.

This is Dave Parks, WB8ODF.

(CNN, JENNY TUPPER, NASA)

**

ISS ASTRONAUT TO SET NEW SPACE RECORD

DON/ANCHOR: A new record is about to be set in space by an ISS astronaut.
We hear more about him from Paul Braun, WD9GCO.

PAUL: NASA astronaut Mark Vande Hei, KG5GNP, won't be a record-holder for
much longer. He made news after logging the most days in space for a US astronaut -- 355 days -- aboard the International Space Station in 2022.
Now, NASA astronaut Frank Rubio is right behind him and gaining. He's
been on the ISS since September 21, 2022 and his mission has grown beyond
its original six months. He's now scheduled to leave aboard a Russian
Soyuz spacecraft by September 27th, meaning his 371 days will eclipse the
one set by Vande Hei. However, even with that accomplishment, he will
still be leaving the world record intact. That was set by the late
Russian cosmonaut Valeri Polyakov, who logged an unprecedented 437 days
aboard Russia's Mir space station in 1994 and 1995. The cosmonaut died
last year at age 80.

This is Paul Braun, WD9GCO.

(SPACE.COM)

**

GIVING AMATEUR RADIO A GOOD RIDE IN AUSTRALIA

DON/ANCHOR: In Melbourne, Australia, one ham whose love for his bicycle
rivals his love for his radio is giving them both a good ride. Here's
more about him from Graham Kemp, VK4BB.

GRAHAM: As a bicycle enthusiast and ham, Stuart, VK3UAO, is accustomed to doing things his own way. As a machinist, he fabricates many of his own
parts to be used with his radio equipment. As a ham, he carves out his
own trail to destinations for portable operating. He is presently riding
his bicycle from Melbourne to the Pilliga park-fest, pedaling his way on
a journey of more than 1,000 km over the course of three weeks. He has
his portable shack in his backpack.

The park fest will be held between April 29th and 30th, and he hopes his
route there will include as many park activations as possible.

The park fest itself is a modest-sized gathering of hams with an
enthusiasm for fellowship and the outdoors. So there is certain to be
even more operating once he arrives.

Meanwhile, if you're interested in his journey but would rather not try
it out yourself on a bicycle of your own, you can ride along with Stuart. Visit his page on QRZ.com, which offers a link to his APRS tracking --
and be listening for him on the air.

This is Graham Kemp, VK4BB.

(WIA, QRZ)

**

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the W8WKY repeater
in Doylestown, Ohio, on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. local time, right before the weekly SARA net at 8 p.m.
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)

GRANT FUNDS STUDENT COURSE ON SPECTRUM AT OBSERVATORY

JIM/ANCHOR: The National Radio Astronomy Observatory in Green Bank, West Virginia, is offering a select group of young students an opportunity to
study the electromagnetic spectrum, as we hear from Sel Embee, KB3TZD.

SEL: Twenty science-minded students between the ages of 18 and 20 are
being given an opportunity to enroll in an intensive course about the electromagnetic spectrum being hosted by the National Radio Astronomy Observatory in Green Bank, West Virginia. This is the second year the observatory has conducted the course, which begins in September of this
year and runs through May of 2024. The program is being overseen by the observatory's director of Diversity & Inclusion and is funded by a grant
from Amateur Radio Digital Communications. A special effort is being made
to find enrollees who are Black, indigenous or people of color as well as students from the LGBTQIA community who wish to gain experience,
particularly as it applies to amateur radio and any future careers in
science, technology, engineering and math. Students accepted into the 40-
week program will receive a stipend of $4,000.

Lyndele von Schill, director of Diversity & Inclusion, can be reached for questions at her email address at lvonschi@nrao.edu

The observatory is a facility of the National Science Foundation.

This is Sel Embee, KB3TZD.

(ARDC)

**

SILENT KEY: JOHN KNIPPING, AA9KC, OF THE 'FREEWHEELERS NET' ON 80M

JIM/ANCHOR: A founding member of a popular net that is a fixture on 80m
has become a Silent Key. We hear about him from Kevin Trotman, N5PRE.

KEVIN: John Knipping, AA9KC, was one of the original "Freewheelers" on
3916 kHz. In November of 1998 he answered a call put out by Ken Odom,
W4FCW, on 3916 kHz and out of that early QSO bloomed a friendship and ultimately a popular net where everyone was welcome.

John became a Silent Key on April 29th at the age of 92.

According to his online obituary he was a Korean War veteran, a musician
and a member of the Egyptian Radio Club.

The tradition of easy camaraderie lives on, however: The net continues
making new friends and welcoming old ones every night on 80m, starting at
10 pm Eastern Time.

This is Kevin Trotman, N5PRE.

(LEGACY.COM, 3916 FREEWHEELERS NET)

**

JOIN US AT THE NEWSLINE "TOWN HALL FORUM" IN DAYTON

JIM/ANCHOR: Just a reminder to our listeners that there's more to Amateur Radio Newsline this month than just this newscast. If you're going to
Xenia, Ohio for Hamvention, be sure to stop in Forum Room 2 on Friday, May 19th, starting at 11:35 a.m. local time. The popular Town Hall forum is
back after many years, and we have three guests. Riley Hollingsworth,
K4ZDH, will take questions about the ARRL Volunteer Monitor Program. IARU President Tim Ellam, VE6SH, will discuss issues facing the IARU that
affect amateurs worldwide -- and Mark Smith, N6MTS, will take questions
about a proposal to standardize headset connectors for interoperability.
Come along and join us!

**

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard in bulletin stations around the world including the shortwave
broadcast station of shortwaveradio.de in Lower Saxony, Germany on 6160
kHz AM. The station's European summer schedule will be 07:00 to 17:00 UTC
on weekends, 15:00 to 17:00 UTC Monday to Friday. Broadcasts can also be
heard from 17:00 to 23:00 UTC daily on 3975 kHz AM.
--- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)

HAMS CLAIM DISTANCE RECORD FOR SATELLITE

JIM/ANCHOR: Two satellite enthusiasts recently logged a contact that they
claim has set a new record. Neil Rapp, WB9VPG, brings us more.

NEIL: Two satellite enthusiasts are claiming a new QSO distance record
with the SO-50 satellite in a May 24th contact that covered 5,584 km -
the distance between Michigan and Northern Ireland.

Joe, KE9AJ, notes on his QRZ.com page that he has long had a particular enthusiasm for extreme distance satellite QSOs. He and George, M0ILE,
were able to log one another, and claim bragging rights to having beaten
the previous record by 61 km. That record was set in 2018 by Jerome,
F4DXV, and Scott, N1AIA, between France and Maine.

This is Neil Rapp, WB9VPG.

(AMATEUR RADIO DAILY, AMSAT)

**

SILENT KEY: HALL OF FAME MEMBER, CONTESTER, CHIP MARGELLI, K7JA

JIM/ANCHOR: The amateur radio community has been shaken by the loss of
someone who was a familiar face, a familiar voice, and a friend to
many -- including those of us at Amateur Radio Newsline. Chip Margelli,
K7JA, has become a Silent Key. We hear more about him from Don Wilbanks,
AE5DW.

DON: Chip Margelli, K7JA, was many things to many of us: A top-notch
contester in numerous ARRL and CQ magazine competitions; a Silver
Medalist at the 1990 World Radiosport Team Championship; and a polished operator of CW, who was admitted into the First-Class CW Operators' Club.
Chip, who became a Silent Key on May 25th, even achieved national
notoriety outside the amateur radio community, when he appeared on a US
late night talk show, with TV host Jay Leno 2005, in an on-screen rivalry
that pitted his CW proficiency against the speed of the US champion in
fast cell phone text-messaging.

A recipient of the E.T. Krenkel Medal in 2021, Chip was also listed in
the CQ Amateur Radio Hall of Fame. Over the years, he worked for such
companies as Yaesu USA, Heil Sound, Ham Radio Outlet, and for CQ magazine.
He was a personal friend to many of us at Amateur Radio Newsline. Chip
was present in 1986 with Newsline cofounder, and treasured friend, the
late Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, at the first ceremony introducing the Young
Ham of the Year Award, and at subsequent ceremonies at the Huntsville
Hamfest.

Rest well, Chip. You leave many grieving friends behind.

This is Don Wilbanks, AE5DW.

**

RADIO SOCIETY OF GREAT BRITAIN SEEKS EDITOR

JIM/ANCHOR: If you are a member of the Radio Society of Great Britain,
and have strong skills in writing and editing - plus technical knowledge relevant to electronics and amateur radio - this job might just suit you. Jeremy Boot, G4NJH, has the details.

JEREMY: Lee Aldridge, G4EJB, the editor of RadCom Basics, has announced
his retirement later this year, and the RSGB is seeking a replacement.
RadCom basics publishes material focusing on new amateurs, and those who
want to develop greater skills in the fundamentals. A successful
applicant will assign articles, and work with authors in developing them,
and will be responsible for writing additional articles. There are also
editing responsibilities that include handling copy sent in by regular contributors and others.

The RadCom Basics editor reports to RadCom's managing editor. For details
about the job, including salary range being offered, send an email to
radcom at rsgb dot org dot uk. (radcom@rsgb.org.uk)

This is Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

(RSGB)

**

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
of the Crescent City Amateur Radio Group in Metairie, Louisiana,
following the net on Sundays at 8 p.m.
--- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)

DAVE KALTER MEMORIAL YOUTH DX ADVENTURE CANCELLED

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: This year's Dave Kalter Memorial Youth Adventure has been cancelled. Organizers at the Dayton Amateur Radio Association said there
was insufficient time for the kind of planning that would have allowed everyone to obtain their necessary passports. No other details were immediately available and there was no indication when the next trip would
be scheduled. This year's DX adventure was to have taken place in Curacao.

The annual trip, which has brought young amateurs to the Dutch Caribbean, Costa Rica and Curacao, is named in memory of Dave, KB8OCP, who became a Silent Key in November of 2013.

(DARA)

**

SILENT KEY: ARGENTINA'S PIONEERING YL, AZUCENA ALBARRACIN, LU9OY

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: A popular, lively voice in amateur radio in Argentina has become a Silent Key. We learn more about her from Graham Kemp, VK4BB.

GRAHAM: In the final year of her life Azucena Albarracin, LU9OY, was no
longer able to be on the air -- but until then, the 95-year-old was a well-known and well-recognised voice in her home country of Argentina, as
well as in Chile and Uruguay. She became a Silent Key on Thursday, the
13th of April at her home.

According to a news article in the YL Beam newsletter, she was an almost constant presence on the air during the last 50 years and many heard her exchanging greetings and information on 20 meters. Her introduction to
amateur radio came during the early 1960s and she embraced operating on
AM. She and another amateur Nelly Lopez, LU5OX, now a Silent Key, were considered pioneers in being the first women amateurs in the region. By
the time she retired as a teacher, she had become a major presence on
sideband where she was well-respected as an operator.

According to the news article, her 90th birthday was a great occasion inspiring amateurs who had worked her from DX locations to travel and
attend the celebration.

This is Graham Kemp, VK4BB.

(YL BEAM)

**

AMSAT PRESIDENT'S CLUB RELEASES COMMEMORATIVE COIN

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: AMSAT supporters who are deepening their commitment to
amateur radio in space by joining the President's Club have a special commemorative coin that says "thank you." We hear more from Neil Rapp,
WB9VPG.

NEIL: The AMSAT President's Club has released its commemorative coins for 2023, with this year's coin marking the 40th anniversary of the launch of
the AMSAT OSCAR 10 satellite. The German amateur radio microsatellite took
to the sky from French Guiana aboard an Ariane 1 rocket on June 16th,
1983. According to the AMSAT-DL website, the star-shaped satellite had an elliptical orbit that made it possible for radio communications of several hours' duration to take place around the world.

Members of the AMSAT President's Club will be receiving the coin along
with other recognition, including mention in the AMSAT Journal. The President's Club is an annual membership organization and each year'S
2-inch metal coin honors a different OSCAR satellite.

Visit amsat.org and look for details about the President's Club.

This is Neil Rapp, WB9VPG.

(AMSAT NEWS SERVICE)

**

NETS OF NOTE: APRS THURSDAY

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: This week, in our occasional series, Nets of Note,
Newsline takes a look at one net that provides an opportunity for all
licensed hams anywhere in the world to learn more about APRS. Patrick
Clark, K8TAC, has that story.

PATRICK: For one very enthusiastic group of amateurs worldwide, every
Thursday is net day. Check-in time on that day between 0000 and 2359 UTC
and ensures that every amateur will receive all APRS net traffic from any stations checking in during the 24-hour period that follows their own check-in.

Organizers call it APRS Thursday, and it's been going strong since
December of last year. The net is conducted over the Announcement server service of KJ4ERJ, and it is managed by Michael, KC8OWL, and Angelo DU2XXR/N2RAC. Angelo, in the Philippines, is also the net manager of a separate net, known as the APRSPH net.

Both Michael and Angelo hope that the Thursday check-ins will increase familiarity with APRS for hams and grow this kind of message activity
around the world.

If you're curious about APRS or want to learn more, you can email Michael
at kc8owl@yahoo.com

This is Patrick Clark, K8TAC.

(APRS NET)

**

NOMINATE NEXT 'YOUNG HAM OF THE YEAR'

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: The deadline is coming up fast for a chance to nominate
your choice for Amateur Radio Newsline's Bill Pasternak Young Ham of the
Year award. Candidates must reside in the continental United States and be
a licensed ham 18 years of age or younger. We are looking for someone who
has 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 on May 31st.
--- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)

BILL REINTRODUCED TO PROPOSE HF DIGITAL CHANGES

DON/ANCHOR: In the United States, an Arizona lawmaker has renewed hope
for changing what many consider outdated rules by the FCC for digital communications. Sel Embee, KB3TZD, has those details.

SEL: A bandwidth limit would replace symbol rate limit for HF digital operations under a bill known as the Amateur Radio Communications
Improvement Act. The bill was introduced on May 11 by Arizona
congresswoman Debbie Lesko, a Republican, and is similar to a bill she
had introduced last year, hoping to update rules by the FCC that focus on symbol rates. The bill, which is now in the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, would set a bandwidth limit of 2.8 kHz instead. US advocates of
the bill, including the ARRL, have long argued that a bandwidth limit was necessary because of crowded conditions on the HF bands. They have been concerned that protocols might be developed in the future that would
possess wider bandwidth protocols than necessary.

The lawmaker said in a statement that updating the rules to accommodate
modern technology is especially important in times of natural disasters,
such as forest fires, floods and hurricanes, when messages need to be
sent and received efficiently. Faster protocols already accomplish this
in other countries.

This is Sel Embee, KB3TZD.

(ARRL, REP. DEBBIE LESKO)

**

FORMER FCC CHAIRMAN NEWTON MINOW DIES AT 97

DON/ANCHOR: Newton Minow, who had been appointed chairman of the Federal Communications Commission by President John F. Kennedy in the 1960s, has
died. The attorney, who was a vocal critic of the emerging content of broadcast television in the US, died Saturday, May 6th, at the age of 97.
He was also well-known as an advocate of the US space program. It was
during his tenure in 1962 that the world saw NASA's launch of Telstar 1,
the first communications satellite, developed by the American Telephone
and Telegraph Company, better known as AT&T.

(NPR)

**

POPULAR SATELLITE DECAYS FROM ORBIT

DON/ANCHOR: A popular ham radio satellite launched a little less than
eight years ago from China has left its orbit. Stephen Kinford, N8WB,
brings us that report.

STEPHEN: Satellite enthusiasts have one fewer satellite to rely on now.
The orbit has decayed for the popular linear transponder satellite known
as XW-2A. The satellite was sent into space in September of 2015 from
China's Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center. The satellite does not leave
space without sharing a little bit of glory: In August of 2022, two
amateurs used XW-2A to achieve communication over a record distance for
the 25 kg microsat. It was a transatlantic QSO between EA4NF in Spain and VE1CWJ in Nova Scotia, a memorable distance of 4,751 km.

This is Stephen Kinford, N8WB.

(AMSAT NEWS SERVICE, CAMSAT)

**

HAMS, START YOUR ENGINES FOR THE BIG RACE

DON/ANCHOR: Hams, start your engines. A big race - and a big special
event station - is getting under way in Indianapolis, Indiana. Jack
Parker, W8ISH, has the details.

JACK: Now that the dust has settled from the Indy Grand Prix race,
members of the W9IMS Special Event Station are gearing up for another
week of logging contacts leading up to the 107th running of the
Indianapolis 500 Mile Race, beginning May 22nd.

This is the 20th year for the W9IMS team to reach out and let ham radio operators be a part of the racing season in Indianapolis. For two
decades, they have logged over fifteen thousand contacts a year for the
three race series at Indy. That is a lot of QSL cards.

Check the W9IMS page at QSL.com for more information.

Reporting from Indianapolis, this is Jack Parker, W8ISH.

**

TRY NEWSLINE'S HAIKU CHALLENGE

DON/ANCHOR: If a great QSO feels like poetry to you, you might enjoy this
new challenge from Amateur Radio Newsline. We're inviting listeners to
channel their most creative selves and share the joy of ham radio in the
form of a haiku. On our website, arnewsline.org, you will find a
submission form for sending your most inspired offering. All haikus must follow the traditional form to qualify: The first line is five syllables,
the second line is seven syllables and the finishing third line has
another five syllables.

Our team will pick from the best submissions that follow the 5/7/5
syllable rule and represent the love of amateur radio. Your prize? Glory,
of course! We will share our favorite haiku of the week on the Amateur
Radio Newsline 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 AH6LE repeater
on Sundays at 6 p.m. in Beavercreek and Wilsonville Oregon.
--- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)

A SUCCESSFUL HAMVENTION 2023 IS IN THE LOG

NEIL/ANCHOR: This year's Dayton Hamvention was another success, with
several vendors returning after an absence along with some great weather.
The rain was mostly overnight on Friday and caused minimal disruptions.
The main buzz was about 2 new handheld radios being announced, one from
ICOM America and another from JVC/Kenwood who returned to Hamvention after being absent since the start of the pandemic.

2023 Hamvention Amateur of the Year Carsten Dauer, DM9EE, received a
standing ovation in front of a large crowd attending his forum about his
work to house evacuated Ukrainian family members as well as shipping
donated radio gear, power banks, solar panels, and first aid kits for use
to assist operators despite the partial Russian invasion.

Steve Morgan, W4NHO, was recognized with the Spirit of Amateur Radio award
for his work in coordinating disaster relief communications during the
recent Eastern Kentucky flooding. The Voice of America Museum in nearby
West Chester, Ohio, had expanded hours during Hamvention and reported
record attendance of nearly 400 visitors.

The youth socials at the YOTA booth were standing room only. And, many
hams were greeted by the first known live duck to attend Hamvention,
Mochi, accompanied by Junie, N1DUC, who was promoting her new YouTube
channel, and educating people about domesticated ducks.

Finally, 2023 marked the return of our own Newsline Town Hall. Attendees
heard international updates from Tim Ellam, VE6SH, the president of IARU. Riley Hollingsworth, K4ZDH, returned to the town hall to talk about the
ARRL Volunteer Monitoring program, while Mark Smith, N6MTS, proposed a new open headset interconnect standard to assist with group activities and
EMCOMM.

**

US AUTOMAKER WON'T ELIMINATE AM RADIO IN NEW CARS

NEIL/ANCHOR: AM radio isn't quite dead yet among those selling cars in the
US. One carmaker has shifted gears into reverse - literally. Here's Kent Peterson, KC0DGY, with an update.

KENT: In the United States, the Ford Motor Company has reversed an earlier decision to eliminate AM radios in its new cars, trucks and SUVs. The carmaker's announcement was made on Tuesday, May 23rd, on the heels of a bipartisan bill introduced in Washington, D.C., pressing for AM broadcast radio's retention as a public safety measure.

Ford CEO Jim Farley announced on social media that the reversal comes came after discussions with government policy leaders who believe the
elimination of AM broadcast radio in vehicles will cut motorists off from essential emergency alerts transmitted on those frequencies.

The CEO wrote on Twitter that all 2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles would
include AM radio. He added: [quote] "For any owners of Ford's EVs without
AM broadcast capability, we'll offer a software update." [endquote] The
update would restore AM functionality.

The US Federal Communications Commission has also thrown its support
behind the proposed legislation that seeks to halt the trend toward automakers' removal of AM broadcast in US vehicles. The bill, introduced
May 17th, is known as the "AM for Every Vehicle Act." The FCC cannot
regulate what automakers do, but was nonetheless vocal about the value AM radio has to motorists who may need to receive emergency alerts while on
the road.

Other manufacturers, including Volvo, Tesla and BMW, have indicated they
were dropping AM radio from their new electric cars because of
interference between the vehicles' electrical operating systems and the AM broadcast band. The Associated Press did not immediately receive comment
from the other carmakers.

The bill's opponents, including The Alliance for Automotive Innovation,
which represents US automakers, called the AM radio proposal unnecessary.
They said that the US warning system, operated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, can also deliver safety warnings by other means, such
as FM broadcast, satellite and cellular networks.

This is Kent Peterson, KC0DGY.

(ASSOCIATED PRESS, HOUSE.GOV, INSIDE RADIO, VARIETY)

**

EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION RANGE EXPANDS IN SOUTH CAROLINA

NEIL/ANCHOR: Emergency preparedness got a needed boost in South Carolina
and Kevin Trotman, N5PRE, has those details.

KEVIN: Dorchester County, South Carolina is getting ready for hurricane
season on the ground and in the air. High atop a 226-foot tower, members
of the county's emergency management office have been installing an
antenna system that will allow the county's amateur radio response team a wider communication range with first responders during emergencies. The
hams are members of DART, or the Dorchester Amateur Radio Team.

County officials told the local CBS TV station that the installation is designed to close a communications gap between Columbia and as far away as Charleston, South Carolina - a need that became apparent after Hurricane
Ian struck the region last autumn. As storm season approaches again, the emergency management office is supplementing this antenna work high in the
air by taking on some serious training on the ground. Emergency officials
will soon be teaching classes to help get more volunteers prepared for
their amateur radio technician license.

This is Kevin Trotman, N5PRE.

(NEWS2)
--- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)

INDIAN RESEARCHERS DEVELOP MICRO-SUPERCAPACITOR

PAUL/ANCHOR: When it comes to super-capacitors, scientists in India are calling their new development the smallest-of-the-small. We hear about it
from Jason Daniels, VK2LAW.

JASON: Scientists in India say that they have created the smallest micro- supercapacitor to date, developing it out of two-dimensional materials: graphene and molybdenum disulfide. This is considered significant because
as electronic devices continue to shrink - as is the case with wearable sensors and smart devices - their energy storage devices must be just as small. Supercapacitors are considered ideal for this task because they
not only store energy but can handle the kind of rapid charge-discharge
cycles beyond the ability of conventional chemical batteries.

Misra said that she and her colleagues used two-dimensional materials for
the ultramicro-supercapacitor because they are semiconductors. Each of
the multi-layer electrodes acts as a field-effect transistor.

She told the IEEE Spectrum that the tiny device has a remarkably high capacitance and an easy ability to integrate with electronic chips
because of its use of a gel electrolyte instead of a liquid.

The researchers are not stopping there, however. Their next challenge is
to create devices out of other two-dimensional materials in an attempt to boost capacitance even further.

This is Jason Daniels, VK2LAW.

(IEEE SPECTRUM)

**

SILENT KEY: CALGARY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATOR JASON LOW, VE6SRT

PAUL/ANCHOR: Hams in the amateur radio community - and the community-at-
large - in Calgary, Alberta, are grieving the loss of a devoted public servant. Here's Andy Morrison, K9AWM, to tell us about him.

ANDY: It is difficult for those who knew him to imagine the emergency communications community without Jason Low, VE6SRT, being there. Jason
had served Redwood Meadows Emergency Services in Calgary as a
firefighter, EMT and fire communications officer. Jason became a Silent
Key unexpectedly on April 15th.

According to the Redwood Meadows Emergency Services website, Jason could
not be revived despite the best efforts of his colleagues and emergency medical personnel. Chief Rob Evans wrote on the website that the team was "devastated."

According to Vince d'Eon, VE6LK, and Ian Burgess, VA6EMS, Jason - known
to everyone as Jay - worked tirelessly to ensure the quality of emergency communications and shared his expertise in radio as well as the computer dispatch system.

Ian told Newsline that Jay was a lifelong radio enthusiast who was
introduced early on to the hobby by his scanner. He later got his ham
license and used his skills to help communities in the Calgary area
connect to the fire department's dispatch.

Vince wrote in an email: [quote] "Jay was generous with his time and expertise, offering solutions across the province, the country, and the continent. There is no way to know how many people were safer and better
cared for thanks to Jason." [endquote]

Jay was 50.

This is Andy Morrison, K9AWM.

(VINCE D'EON, VE6LK; IAN BURGESS, VA6EMS)

**

SILENT KEY: STEVE SZABO, WB4OMM

PAUL/ANCHOR: Amateurs in the Florida community and beyond are mourning
the death of a leader and an Elmer whose deep involvement in ham radio
touched many lives over the years. We hear about him from Kevin Trotman,
N5PRE.

KEVIN: Well-known for his enthusiasm for QRP, Steve Szabo, WB4OMM, served
as a powerful influence on the many amateurs he knew personally or had
come to know on the air. Steve, a past president of the North American
QRP CW Club, became a Silent Key on April 23rd. He had been diagnosed
with lung cancer.

His involvement with amateurs ran deep throughout his years on the air.
He was a Life Member of the AARL, which he served as a volunteer examiner
and QSL card checker and he had been Northern Florida Section Manager for
four years. Steve also belonged to the Quarter Century Wireless
Association, and numerous local and national clubs, including the Dayton
Beach Amateur Radio Association, where he held numerous leadership roles. According to a post by Kevin, KK4BFN on QRZ.com, Steve started the
Daytona Beach CERT Amateur Radio Team Group in 2005 and served as its president until illness earlier this year compelled him to step down.

Steve was 70.

This is Kevin Trotman, N5PRE.

(QRZ, WB4OMM WEBSITE, DIGNITY MEMORIAL)

**

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 3.20-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)

SILENT KEY: JERRY OWENS, W3GHO, VOICE OF W. PENNSYLVANIA NETS

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: A popular and active voice on the air has gone silent in western Pennsylvania. We hear about him from Randy Sly, W4XJ.

RANDY: A final call went out on Friday, June 2nd, during the Western Pennsylvania Phone Traffic Net for Jerry Owens, W3GHO. It was followed by
a moment of silence. Jerry, a popular longtime presence on many area
nets, became a Silent Key on the morning of Wednesday, May 31st, in
Corry, Pennsylvania.

His enthusiasm and active participation in nets and other activities left their marks everywhere in the region. A licensed ham for 67 years, Jerry
was a member of the Union City Amateur Radio Club and served as net
control station for the Army Military Auxiliary Radio System. He was also active in the National Traffic System, handling Radiogram traffic for the daily Western Pennsylvania Phone Traffic Net on 80 meters.

To those who knew him - or even knew OF him - Jerry was the voice of
Corry, Pennsylvania, serving as the official snow measurer for that city
for the National Weather Service Office in Cleveland, Ohio, just on the
other side of the border between the two states. Weather stories in
newspapers and on TV would often quote his snow statistics.

Jerry had also been deputy radio officer and a net control station representing Erie County, Pennsylvania, in the Western Pennsylvania PEMA
ACS RACES Net. His other net control duties included the Western
Pennsylvania Health and Wellness Net on weekdays and the Western
Pennsylvania ARES net on Saturdays.

In 1960, he joined the Old Buzzards Amateur Radio Club and was net
control for them on Monday mornings on 80 meters.

His friend, Eddie Misiewicz, KB3YRU, who gave the final call, speaks for
many when he told Newsline [quote] "I will miss him greatly." [endquote]

An Ohio native, Jerry was 85 years old.

This is Randy Sly W4XJ.

(EDDIE MISIEWICZ, KB3YRU)

**

CENTRAL STATES VHF SOCIETY CONFERENCE RETURNS TO ARKANSAS

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: The Central States VHF Society is bringing its annual conference back to Arkansas, where it was held more than two decades ago. Here's Andy Morrison, K9AWM, with that story.

ANDY: Much has changed since the Central States VHF Society last held one
of its annual conferences in Arkansas. That was in 1997, a year in which
tube amplifiers with high-voltage power supplies were still widely used.
It was also before the advent of the WSJT suite of software - or even computers in the shack.

After years of being in other locations, the conference returns to
Arkansas next month. The 55th annual conference meets in Little Rock, and
the agenda, including the technical presentations, will reflect the
changing landscape of VHF operation during the past 26 years.

Organizers are encouraging hams to bring their families with them and has scheduled a variety of family-oriented activities on July 27th, 28th and
29th, even as the board meeting, the business meeting and other VHF-
sessions take place.

Visit the website that appears in the text version of this week's
newscast for information on how to register. The roster of attendees is growing every day.

[for PRINT ONLY: http://2023.csvhfs.org]

This is Andy Morrison, K9AWM.

(AMATEUR RADIO DAILY, CENTRAL STATES VHF SOCIETY)

**

ARRL JOINS PROGRAM TO ENHANCE NATIONAL SAFETY

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: The ARRL has joined a program designed to help in the emergency response during a national crisis. Sel Embee, KB 3 T Zed Dee,
has more.

SEL: Created in 2018 to enhance security and emergency communications in
the United States, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
has welcomed the American Radio Relay League, the ARRL, into its SAFECOM program. The ARRL's involvement ensures that amateur radio will flourish
as a strong presence in the nation's response in times of crisis. Josh Johnston, K-E-5-M-H-V, the ARRL's director of emergency management, said
on the ARRL website that amateur radio's resources will gain even more interoperability with emergency responders and will have a voice in the development of a more comprehensive blueprint for keeping the nation safe
and its communications intact. That includes enhancing the connections
between emergency responders and helping build out the network for the
future.

In making its announcement on Friday, June 2nd, the ARRL said it expects
its new role to bring increased involvement for such groups as ARES, the Amateur Radio Emergency Service, and other ARRL emergency programs.

This is Sel Embee, K-B-3-T-Zed-D.

(CISA, ARRL)
--- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)

HUNT A WRTC COMPETITOR AND COMPETE FOR AN AWARD

NEIL/ANCHOR: So you want to be part of the World Radiosport Team
Championship but you didn't qualify and you're not in Italy right
now? That's a small point, really, if you want to get in on the
action. Graham Kemp, VK4BB, explains.

GRAHAM: While amateur radio teams from all over the world compete
in the WRTC on July 8th and July 9th, hams from all over the world
can now compete right along with the competitors: Organisers have
announced the WRTC 2022 Competition Award - yes, it's still known
as WRTC 2022 because of the one-year COVID delay. Hams who have
had QSOs with competing stations in the championship can work
toward this award by getting on the air during the contest and
listening for the action. Organisers recommend that those seeking
the award submit their complete logs within six hours after the
contest ends, which will be at 1800 UTC on Sunday the 9th of July.

The WRTC 2022 Competition Award is the latest event created in
support of the championship. THE WRTC 2023 Award, offered earlier,
challenged radio operators to make contacts with special event
stations in 12 regions throughout Italy, all ending with the
suffix WRTC. There were also special event stations around the
world - most of them also ending with the suffix.

For more details about the Competition Award, visit wrtc2022 dot
it (wrtc2022.it) and look under the "NEWS" tab.

This is Graham Kemp, VK4BB.

(WRTC)

**

FCC SETS APPLICATION WINDOW FOR LOW-POWER FM STATIONS

NEIL/ANCHOR: The FCC is getting ready to accept applications for
new low-power FM stations. Kent Peterson, KC0DGY, brings us up to
date.

KENT: As Newsline reported in February, the FCC has made room on
the spectrum for the operation of new, low-power FM broadcast
stations in the US. The agency has now announced that a filing
window for permit applications will be open between November 1st
and November 8th of this year.

The commission will accept proposals for frequencies anywhere in
the FM band, from Channel 201 to Channel 300. The last time the
FCC opened a filing window for low-power FM broadcast operation
was in 2013.

FCC data lists a little fewer than 2,000 such stations operating
in the US since the year 2000, when the FCC created the service
for 100-watt stations engaged in noncommercial educational
broadcasts. Commercial operations and individuals are ineligible
for operation of these stations.

When competing applications are filed, an auction may need to
occur before the allotments are decided.

The FCC will release filing procedures and other relevant details
later. Meanwhile, prospective applicants are encouraged to monitor
the Audio Division Web Page on the agency website.

This is Kent Peterson, KC0DGY.

(FCC, RADIOWORLD)

**

SATELLITE ENTHUSIASTS REGISTER FOR CONVENTION IN INDIA

NEIL/ANCHOR: Satellite fans, get ready for a big weekend in India
devoted to your favorite subject. Registration has opened, as we
hear from Jim Meachen, ZL2BHF.

JIM: Registration has opened for satellite enthusiasts and other
amateurs planning to attend the OSCAR Convention in West Bengal,
India on September 23rd and 24th. The website is also accepting
registration for the radiosport portion of the weekend: a CW
contest and some fox-hunting activity.

The weekend theme is simple: "Get on the Air." OSCAR is an acronym
that stands for Orbiting Satellite Carrying Amateur Radio.

While the full schedule is not yet posted, the organiser, OSCAR
India, has said the event planners are making special efforts to
support and encourage youth to get more involved in amateur radio.
Various licence exams will be offered at the venue. The programme
of presenters is expected to showcase the latest technologies and
assist attendees in broadening their knowledge of operating
techniques, antenna design, digital modes and signal propagation.

There will also be plenty of opportunity to socialize.

The OSCAR Convention is supported by Parks on the Air India and
Beaches on the Air India.

For details or to submit your registration, visit the website
address that appears in the text version of this week's newscast
at arnewsline.org

[DO NOT READ: oc.beaham.in ]

This is Jim Meachen, ZL2BHF.

(OSCAR INDIA, ARUNAVA DEY VU3XRY)
--- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)

CLIPPERTON ISLAND DXPEDITION TO INCLUDE SATELLITE

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: In case you've marked your calendar for January of next
year, hoping to make contact with the Clipperton Island DXpedition,
there's extra good news if you are a satellite enthusiast. Neil Rapp,
WB9VPG, explains.

NEIL: When members of the Perseverance DX Group call QRZ in January of
2024 from Clipperton Island, they'll have an extra way to make contact.
The team just announced that the TX5S DXpedition will include satellite operations. The team's satellite station manager, Andreas N6NU, reported
in a recent press release that the team hopes to use the IO-117 GreenCube satellite, which not only has a generous footprint over the island but
has passes that last more than an hour.

The uninhabited atoll in the eastern Pacific Ocean will be home for the
team for 16 days as they use SSB, CW, RTTY and FT8. This is the 38th most wanted DX according to Clublog - and it is IOTA number NA-011.

This is Neil Rapp, WB9VPG.

(AMSAT, CLIPPERTON ISLAND WEBSITE)

**

HONORS FOR FILM ABOUT HAM CLUB IN SCOTLAND

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: There's nothing like a good contest to bring out the
thrill of competition in some hams. In Scotland, however, one amateur
radio group is enjoying the status of being one of the top winners at -
of all things - a film festival. Jeremy Boot, G4NJH, explains what
happened.

JEREMY: Hams in the Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society had the kind of
performance you might not see in a DX contest, a sprint or even in a QSO party. They were among the top winners at this year's Doric Film
Festival, an event that shines a light on filmmakers who celebrate Doric culture and language in their work. The five-minute production is
colorful, lively and entirely in the Doric language. Interestingly
enough, this is not the radio society's first appearance in a film. A 12 -minute film, "Hams," was released in 1961 and is available for viewing
online in the Moving Image Archives of the National Library of Scotland.
That film, however, is in black and white - and in English.

Doric, once the official language of Scotland, is still widely spoken in
the country's Northeast. The festival's winning films were screened last
month at the awards ceremony on the campus of Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen.

The stars of the radio society's film are, of course, the many operators
in the club and they are seen sending Morse Code and talking to the International Space Station. There is even a cameo appearance by a pig.
Of course, you'll have to watch the film on YouTube to understand why.
See the link to the society's film in the text version of this week's
Newsline script at arnewsline.org

[DO NOT READ: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LN5v8xkHIXo ]

This is Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

(DORIC FILM FESTIVAL, NATIONAL LIBRARY OF SCOTLAND, ABERDEEN AMATEUR
RADIO SOCIETY)

**

RADIO AMATEUR CHOSEN AMONG ENGINEERING'S "WOMEN OF INFLUENCE"

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: A prominent West Coast business journal has named an
active California YL among those who have left an impact on modern-day engineering. We get those details from Jack Parker, W8ISH.

JACK: A third generation amateur radio operator, inspired by her father
and her grandfather, has been selected for inclusion in the San Diego, California, Business Journal's list of Women of Influence in Engineering.

Michelle Thompson, W5NYV, a licensed ham for 25 years, belongs to the
FCC's Technical Advisory Council and works on amateur satellite service regulatory reform. A Life Member of the ARRL, she is technical
specialist for the ARRL Field Organization's Southwestern Division.

She writes on her page on QRZ.com: [quote] "Amateur radio is why I
became an engineer and is the motivation for a large amount of the
volunteer work I do. I give back to ARRL, IEEE, DEFCON, and many other organizations." [endquote] In 2018 she and two cofounders created the nonprofit Open Research Institute. ORI conducts open source research and development for amateur radio and other areas and provides its findings
free.

This is Jack Parker, W8ISH.

(WIA, QRZ)

**

SILENT KEY: ASOKA DA SILVA, 4S5BAK, VHF NET'S 'WEATHERMAN'

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: A well-respected amateur in Sri Lanka, and a familiar
voice on a popular evening net, has become a Silent Key. We hear about
him from Jason Daniels, VK2LAW.

JASON: The Radio Society of Sri Lanka held a special tribute VHF Tribute
Net to honor Asoka da Silva, 4S5BAK, who became a Silent Key on the 26th
of June, two months after his 75th birthday. The retired banker, who rose
to prominence in the financial sector, was remembered by many who checked
in on VHF or via Echolink during the one-hour net. The net was recorded
by the society to present to Asoka's family as a gift.

A mainstay of the daily 9 p.m. net for the past three years, Asoka was a familiar voice who would share with his fellow hams a thorough, well- researched weather report that many looked forward to hearing. His last check-in on the net took place on the 9th of April. According to the
radio society, even in the difficult final months of his life, Asoka was determined to upgrade the amateur radio licence he had first acquired following his retirement. Despite frequent hospitalizations, he
successfully sat the General and Advanced exams and qualified for that sought-after upgrade.

The VHF tribute net allowed hams from elsewhere, including the United
States, Canada and India, to check in with Victor Goonetilleke (goo-nuh- till-ecke) 4S7VK as net control. They shared memories of Asoka,
remembering him fondly as the net's "weatherman," and expressed their condolences to his family.

The radio society's own tribute online said [quote] "We have lost a dear friend, and his untimely departure leaves an immense void that will be difficult to fill." [endquote]

This is Jason Daniels, VK2LAW.

(RSSL, YOUTUBE)
--- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)

SCOUTING'S GIRLS, BOYS ON AIR FOR NATIONAL JAMBOREE

PAUL/ANCHOR: July is Scouting Jamboree month, and this year, it's for
girls as well as boys in the American section of the worldwide scouting organization, Bill Stearns, NE4RD, has that story for us.

BILL: National Jamboree is the largest outdoor educational event
organized by the Boy Scouts of America. Held every four years, the
Jamboree offers a program of educational and training events; high
adventure activities; tests of strength and endurance; entertainment,
and camaraderie with fellow Scouts from around the nation. The year 2023
will be the first National Jamboree to include ScoutsBSA female
participants. The Boy Scout program was renamed ScoutsBSA when female participants were welcomed in 2019.

The K2BSA Amateur Radio Association will be active from the National
Jamboree July 19th through the 28th. They will have a demonstration
station where Scouts can get on the air and radio merit badge classes throughout the event. The operation was funded by a grant from the ARDC
and powered by Icom America transceivers.

You can participate in this event by being the amateur on the other end
of the call. Help Scouts earn their contact cards and complete a
requirement for their merit badge. K2BSA will be active minimally from 8
a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time on 40m through 10m as conditions permit, on
D-STAR REF033A, and on Echolink on *JOTA-365*.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, and the K2BSA Amateur Radio Association,
this is Bill Stearns, NE4RD.

**

COAST-TO-COAST EVENT CELEBRATES RETIRED AIRCRAFT

PAUL/ANCHOR: From British Columbia in the west to Prince Edward Island
in the east, this could well be the biggest retirement party ever thanks
to a dedicated group of amateur radio and aviation enthusiasts. Sel
Embee, KB3TZD, tells us how to join the festivities.

SEL: It's likely that not many people know and love the RCAF CC115
Buffalo aircraft as much as Phill Tanner, VA7XOZ. An Air Force aircraft technician familiar with the inner workings of the Search and Rescue
planes, Phill has joined with a handful of other amateurs to prepare a
weekend of special QSOs, based in four different provinces, to mark the planes' retirement. The event is being called Buffalos on the Air. On
July 22nd, you can find Phill calling QRZ on the amateur bands as
VC7BUFF457 at Comox Heritage Park in British Columbia. Like the other
three operators, Phill will be inside one of the planes, using its
antenna and an amateur radio transceiver. Calvin Winter, VE4AJ, will
operate as VC4BUFF462 from the Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada
in Manitoba; Dave Ackerman, VE3UGT/VE3OX will sign as VC3BUFF456 at the National Air Force Museum of Canada in Ontario; and Doug Silliker,
VY2DS, will use the callsign VY2BUFF451 from Summerside Air Force
Heritage Park on Prince Edward Island. The hams will be operating CW,
SSB and FT8, most likely between 10m and 40m.

The hams will also try for a coast-to-coast 2-metre net between the four aircraft on July 22nd. Buffalos on the Air is also welcoming spectators
who live locally to attend the events at each of the activation sites.
The rest of the world is invited to make contact with the stations, and
those who have a QSO with more than one of the operators can request a certificate from Doug.

You can find additional details on the Facebook page for Buffalos on the
Air.

This is Sel Embee, KB3TZD.

(PHILLIP TANNER, VA7XOZ)

**

ROCKALL EXPEDITIONER RESCUED SAFELY

PAUL/ANCHOR: Scottish adventurer Cam Cameron is home safe. You may
recall that he was joined initially - and briefly - by two amateur radio operators on Rockall in the North Atlantic during his attempt to break
the 45-day record for a stay there, set in 2014. His other goal was to
raise money for charity. Cam's challenge came to an end in late June
after 32 days, after he was successfully rescued by coast guard and search-and-rescue personnel. He wrote on the expedition website that he
was [quote] "in pain, exhausted and hypothermic." However, he did meet
his other goal, and was grateful to have helped a number of charitable
causes.

(BBC.COM, ROCKALLEXPED.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
VK8MA repeater in Australia's Northern Territory, on Sundays at 7 p.m.
local time.
--- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)

SATELLITE QSOS TO FLY HIGH FOR FIELD DAY

PAUL/ANCHOR: In the US and Canada, almost everyone is getting ready for
Field Day - and that includes satellite enthusiasts. We hear about their
plans from Sel Embee, KB3TZD.

SEL: In case you've been wondering, Field Day is for the birds! Once
again, just as the ARRL sponsors the 23-hour exercise known as Field Day
for hams throughout the US and Canada, AMSAT, the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation, takes this test of emergency communications to the skies.
For satellite users, this will be a 27-hour period between 1800 UTC on Saturday the 24th of June through to 2100 UTC on Sunday the 25th.

Satellite users are advised to check the AMSAT status page for what will
be available. AMSAT has said there will be more than 10 transponders and repeaters available during that weekend. FM voice satellites will include SO-50, AO-91, PO-101, the International Space Station and possibly
LilacSat for those in search of bonus points. Ops are advised to be aware
of congestion on FM low earth orbit satellites. The rules set a limit of
one QSO per FM satellite, including the ISS.

The exchange is the traditional ARRL Field Day Exchange.

This is Sel Embee, KB3TZD.

(AMSAT NEWS SERVICE)

**

NEWSLINE'S NEIL RAPP WB9VPG RECEIVES YASME EXCELLENCE AWARD

PAUL/ANCHOR: Newsline is always pleased to share news of radio amateurs
who have received recognition for their contributions to the community.
But we are never more proud than when one of those being honored is a
member of our own team. Neil Rapp, WB9VPG, an anchor and correspondent
for Newsline, has received the Yasme Excellence Award from the Yasme Foundation for his years of work with the next generation of ham radio operators. Neil provided the initial radio club sponsorship for the
Region 2 YOTA camps, which he now serves as manager, providing
administrative assistance for the camps as a nonprofit. He has also
served as manager of Hamvention's Ham Radio 2.0 showcase. The foundation
board of directors issued a statement saying that "recruiting young
operators is key to the survival of amateur radio and his tireless
efforts are appreciated." [endquote] The award consists of an engraved
crystal globe and a cash grant of $500. Neil, we here at Newsline can
only add our own congratulations and sincere appreciation for all that
you do.

(YASME FOUNDATION)

**

HAM RADIO HELPS IN DRAMATIC RESCUE IN IDAHO

PAUL/ANCHOR: In Idaho, amateur radio played a role in the dramatic rescue
of an 80-year-old man in a rocky wilderness region. Dave Parks, WB8ODF,
has the details.

DAVE: Members of Scout Troop 77 from Eagle, Idaho were well-prepared for
their canoeing trip into Hells Canyon just a few weeks ago and took along
a few hand-held radios, a satellite communications device and a ham
radio. They were soon to encounter another adventurer, an 80-year-old
retired judge who had at one time been a Scoutmaster in his home state of Oregon, which borders the canyon. This man was not so prepared: He had
lost his balance while taking photographs in the region and fell 60 feet
down a rocky riverbank on the Snake River, sustaining serious injuries to
his neck, back, ankle and lower leg.

The Scouts were canoeing when they were flagged down by a woman who heard
the calls for help from the man, Eric Valentine, who was in serious pain. Henry Cavanagh, KJ7QJU, used his radio to contact the adults who were
with the other Scouts. Henry's father, Brian, KJ7QJT, an assistant
Scoutmaster and a wilderness first-responder, was among those arriving to
tend to the man. Others arrived and stabilized him while the assistant Scoutmaster reached out to emergency dispatch services from his satellite communicator. Members of the area utility, Idaho Power, were able to help
move the injured man by jet boat to a campground where a helicopter could safely land to transport him to a local hospital.

Returning home to Oregon late last month, Eric was recovering and already planning his next hike. He told the Baker City Herald website, however,
that he will no longer hike alone in Hells Canyon.

This is Dave Parks, WB8ODF.

(SCOUTING MAGAZINE, THE SEATTLE TIMES)

**

TRY NEWSLINE'S HAIKU CHALLENGE

PAUL/ANCHOR: Here's a homebrew challenge for you: Write your own ham
radio haiku! We're inviting listeners to channel their most creative
selves and share the joy of ham radio in the form of a haiku. On our
website, arnewsline.org, you will find a submission form for sending your
most poetic offering. Be sure you follow the traditional form to qualify:
The first line is five syllables, the second line is seven syllables and
the finishing third line has another five syllables. Be sure to follow
that form.

Our team will pick from the best submissions that follow the 5/7/5
syllable rule and represent the love of amateur radio. Your prize? Fame
and glory, of course -- and a featured spot for your haiku on the Amateur Radio Newsline website. Visit our website at arnewsline.org to see this
week's winning haiku.
--- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)

13 COLONIES OPERATING EVENT MARKS 15th YEAR

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: It's a historic milestone for an on-air event that
celebrates America’s revolutionary past. Amateur Radio Newsline's Mark Abramowicz (Abram-o-vich) NT3V, has the story.

MARK: It's back and marking its 15th year on the ham bands.

It's the annual 13 Colonies Special Event, running this year from July 1
to July 7.

Bob Josuweit, WA3PZO, is coordinator for WM3PEN, a special call sign
activated from the "Cradle of Liberty" in Philadelphia.

"It's a relatively easy event for many people to operate," Josuweit
explains. "It's making contact with one or more of the 13 special event stations in each of the 13 colonies."

"Plus, we've added over the years three bonus stations – WM3PEN in Philadelphia, GB13COL in England, and recently, TM13COL in France."

Josuweit says activity during the 13 Colonies Special Event has been
climbing rapidly in recent years, and there are some occasional pile-ups,
so you may need a little patience and persistence to get through.

"Last year we were well over a quarter million contacts for all the
stations combined," he recalls. "And, for WM3PEN, back in 2013 I believe,
it was we were just around 3,000 contacts. Last year, we were closer to 13,000."

There's a special certificate offered to operators working the event.
And each of the groups running stations in the original 13 colonies has special QSL cards tied to this year's theme surrounding the signers of
the Declaration of Independence.

"We'll be on all modes at different times, using HF and satellites. There
will even be some SSTV," Josuweit advises. "The best thing to do is watch
the various spotting networks such as DX Summit. There's a 13 Colonies Facebook page which people can monitor as well."

Josuweit says you don't have to be a contester to work the stations. He
says the operators at each station realize how much interest there is.
Many, Josuweit says, will be operating long hours, even on the Fourth of
July holiday, to make sure every station they can work gets into the log.

For a link to the group's website, go to the text version of this story, published on our website, arnewsline.org.

<PRINT ONLY: DO NOT READ: http://www.13colonies.us/>

I’m Mark Abramowicz, NT3V.

**

SATELLITE ENTHUSIASTS ENCOURAGED TO TAKE THE 'LEDSAT' CHALLENGE

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: The challenge is on - are you up to it? The European
Space Agency and S5Lab (pronounced: Ess Five Lab) are inviting hams
around the world to get involved in making a special contact through the digipeater of an educational CubeSat known as LEDSAT. Neil Rapp, WB9VPG,
tells us how to get involved.

NEIL: LEDSAT, an LED CubeSat developed by university students in Rome
with assistance from AMSAT Italia, was created primarily to demonstrate
an LED-based payload to be used with ground-based optical tracking.
Starting on June 26th and through to July 30th, it takes on a secondary purpose: It is part of a challenge to hams that will win them the prize
of a personalized QSL card designed just for this competition. Hams are
being asked to send a digital message via satellite to PI9ESA, the ground station of the ESA's Education Office. The CubeSat follows a sun-
synchronous orbit and its digipeater will be activated at certain times.
It has two communication windows, one around midday and one at midnight. Operators will be based at the ESA ground station to copy the messages.
Hams are encouraged to use their preferred pass-prediction software to
assist in the contact.

LEDSAT's digipeater has the ability to store and forward digital messages
with a delay of up to two days.

For details about frequencies being used and other procedures of the operation, visit the ESA website at esa dot int (esa.int) and search for LEDSAT.

The challenge was organized to celebrate the launch of LEDSAT in August
of 2021.

(EUROPEAN SPACE AGENY, S5LAB, AMSAT NEWS)

**

BUSINESSMAN AND ALMA MATER'S HAM CLUB SHARE A MILESTONE

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: The chief executive officer of iFixit, a business that provides toolkits and repair guides for do-it-yourselfers, distinguished himself on the California campus of his alma mater recently. Kyle Wiens [WEENS], who graduated from California Polytechnic State University, took
his ham radio license exam under the watchful eye of volunteer examiners
from the Cal Poly Amateur Radio Club, W6BHZ. He passed, becoming the
newest licensee - number 2,000, It was a different kind of graduation for Kyle, who founded his company with a friend in a campus dorm room in 2003 while he was still a student at Cal Poly.

Six years later - in 2009, the on-campus amateur radio club began
offering license exams for students and the public.

According to an article on the club's website, Kyle wasn't the only one
from iFixit to claim newfound status as a licensee. Several members of
the iFixit team were also there and passed - right along with the boss.

(W6BHZ.ORG, iFIXIT WEBSITE)
--- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)

RADIO OPERATOR NEEDED FOR INDIAN ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: India's government is looking for a radio operator to join
the team at the country's research station in the Antarctic. If you like
cold weather, Graham Kemp, VK4BB, tells us what's involved.

GRAHAM: A qualified radio operator is among the many posts being advertised for the next Indian Antarctic Expedition with preference being given to Ham
or maritime radio operators. The National Centre for Polar and Ocean
Research has been interviewing candidates for a variety of contract
positions to work at its Antarctic research base beginning in November or December of this year. The research season ends sometime in 2025. Radio communication is considered an essential component of this 43rd expedition, which hopes to look at the ecosystem as well as satellite communication, ionospheric studies, stellar observations and climate change. The
government has been seeking a candidate proficient in English.

This is Graham Kemp, VK4BB.

(NCPOR)

**

SUCCESSFUL ORBIT FOR CUBESATS BUILT IN PHILIPPINES

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Students in the Philippines are feeling proud that their
two ham radio cubesats have entered orbit. Jason Daniels, VK2LAW, tells us about their mission.

JASON: Two amateur radio cubesats from the Philippines are now in orbit. Maya-5 and Maya-6 were built by university students with the goal of
helping the nation keep its momentum going on satellite development while using locally sourced materials.The primary mission of the cubesat pair is
to give the amateur radio community a digital message relay service through the Automatic Packet Reporting System, or APRS. The onboard APRS
digipeaters use the frequency of 145.825 MHz for transmitting as well as receiving. The cubesats are also demonstrating a data/message store-and- forward system compatible with Universal Amateur Radio Text and E-mail messaging.

The International Space Station released the cubesats on the 19th of July.

This is Jason Daniels, VK2LAW.

(AMSAT NEWS, STAMINA4SPACE)

**

CHURCHES AND CHAPELS ON THE AIR GETS FOOTHOLD IN US

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: A popular ham radio activity that activates churches and chapels, mainly in the UK, is getting a foothold in the US. Kevin Trotman, N5PRE, tells us more about it.

KEVIN: The amateur radio community and the church community in the UK have enjoyed a one-day convergence each September since 2006. That was the year
in which John G3XYF, suggested that CHOTA - Churches and Chapels on the Air
- could be as viable and important an activity as Lighthouses, Mills,
Islands, Summits, Railways and other "on the air" entities. The activity
began simply with his own church in East Yorkshire, where John operated
with the special callsign GB0LOW. CHOTA, which is organized by the World Association of Christian Radio Amateurs and Listeners, has since grown to include between 20 and 30 churches in the UK and, in some instances, a few churches in the Czech Republic and Germany.

This year's event is taking place on Saturday the 9th of September - and
just as CHOTA grew in the years following 2006, it leaps across the ocean
now to the Highlands Presbyterian Church in Mississippi where Frank Howell will be calling QRZ under his own callsign K4FMH. Other hams, using their
own calls as well, are expected to join him on the 16-acre church campus. Frank expects the event to feature stations for SSB, CW and FT8. There will also be VHF/UHF and satellite operations. Frank told Newsline in an email [quote] "This is a great fit for our church of about 1,100 members because
we seek to reach out to the community to bring them to our campus."
[endquote]

He said that a number of area clubs are involved as are some hams in the congregation. The church is so ham-friendly, in fact, that the
administrator and an administrative assistant are planning to take their technician license exam soon.

Frank has already received emails from other US churches inquiring about joining September's activation. Interested churches should email John and
let him know the name and location of the church and the callsign being
used. John's email appears in the text version of this week's newscast.

CHOTA is not a contest, but there are certificates for contacting the
stations - and there are rewards for just being part of this goodwill event that's now gone intercontinental.

This is Kevin Trotman, N5PRE.

[DO NOT READ: John G3XYF email address: jhwresdell@gmail.com )

(JOHN WRESDELL G3XYF; FRANK HOWELL, K4FMH, WACRAL)
--- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)