HANDBOOK'S 76TH EDITION TO BE ITS FINAL ONE

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: A treasured broadcast handbook will soon be out of
print. Jeremy Boot, G4NJH, has that report.

JEREMY: The World Radio TV Handbook an invaluable guide to broadcast
radio around the globe, has ceased publication. The publisher has
announced that its soon-to-be-released 76th edition will be its last.

A statement from the publisher, Nicholas Hardyman, read: [quote]
"This has been an extremely difficult decision, and was only made
after a lot of thought and discussion. We know that many people rely
on WRTH, and greatly enjoy getting the new edition every year. We
realise that this news will be disappointing for many people."
[endquote]

The directory, with more than 600 pages of listings and maps, was
valued as a comprehensive compendium of medium wave, shortwave, and
FM broadcasts, and included a section on clandestine broadcasters.
Based in the UK, but providing global coverage, it has long been
considered a reliable guide for DXers and devoted radio listeners.

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

(YOUTUBE, EI7GL BLOG)

**

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio
Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including
the K5VOM repeater in Greenville, Texas, on Mondays at 7:30 p.m.

**

KIDS GIVE SANTA 10 OVER ON THESE NETS

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: The Santa Net, hosted by the hams of the 3916 Nets,
is back on the air in the United States through December 24th. Radio
operators are providing youngsters with this on-air opportunity to
let Santa know what their top two or three gift wishes are. Hams are
asked to please remember to ensure the contact is in compliance with
all FCC Rules and Regulations governing third party traffic. Check-ins
start at 7 p.m. Central Time on 80 metres. You can also reserve a spot
by visiting the website www.cqsanta.com where you'll find videos of
past QSOs with Santa.

Meanwhile, on Echolink, the 11th annual Santa Watch Net will take place
on Christmas Eve on the DoDropIn channel starting at 6 p.m. Eastern Time.
As the four-hour net gets under way, David, N3NTV, will be using NORAD
radar to track Santa. For details visit the website dodropin.net

(DODROPIN, 3916 NETS)

**

HOP ABOARD THE CHRISTMAS TRAIN

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Another favorite holiday special event is already well
under way. Hope aboard the Christmas Train. Here's Jim Damron, N8TMW,
with details.

JIM: The special event Christmas Train may have its station in West
Virginia, but this is a train that can cross the United States and
even pull into some DX locations on a moment's notice. The HF bands
are its express tracks. Listen for the Christmas train, callsign K8C,
on 80, 40, 20, 17, 15, 12 and 10 meters, using both SSB and CW. The
train is making stops right up through Christmas Day, when it will
operate on a partial schedule. You already have your ticket: so....
hop aboard the train!

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

(QRZ)

**

FINNISH HAMS PUT OF9X AND HIS 'ELVES' BACK ON THE AIR

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: At this time of the year, we need to ask: do you
believe in the magic of DX? There are few DXes more elusive or rare
than this one. Here's Ed Durrant, DD5LP, to tell us about it.

ED: Are you ho-ho-hoping to score one big DX, before 2021 shuts its
door? The Finnish Amateur Radio League, S.R.A.L., may be able to help
make that happen. The league has been on the air as OF9X and OF2YOTA
since early this month, and will continue through to the end of
December. Here's a hint: OF9X is compiling his log and checking it
twice -- and his phonetics are "Old Father Nine Christmas." Are you
feeling the holiday spirit yet? Even if you only believe in the powers
of CW, SSB, or Digital, you can still add OF9X to your wish list of
contacts. You can also work his elves who are using the callsign of
OF2YOTA. The league is marking its centennial year, so that means you
get an extra present under your tree: Both callsigns, along with the
callsign OI3AX, active earlier this month, count toward the S.R.A.L.
Jubilee award.

Send QSL cards for OF9X to OH2BH. Send QSL cards for OF2YOTA to OH5CZ.

Now get on the air, and let your rig's screen light up like a Christmas
tree.

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

QRZ.COM
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DUTCH REGULATORS CRACK DOWN ON ANTI-5G DEVICES

DON/ANCHOR: Fearing radioactive transmissions from 5G mobile networks'
towers, people in the Netherlands may have placed themselves in greater
danger by wearing what they believe to be protective devices. Jeremy Boot, G4NJH, has that story.

JEREMY: The very devices such as necklaces, bracelets and sleep masks that have made claims to shield people from what some fear is radioactivity from
5G mobile networks' towers, according to Dutch officials, have themselves
been emitting ionising radiation at hazardous levels.

A report in the BBC says that the Dutch authority for nuclear safety and radiation protection (ANVS) have issued a warning about the products,
telling people there could be long term hazardous effects. The agency has ordered a halt to the sale of these devices.

The BBC report quoted the World Health Organization's assertion that like amateur radio signals, 5G mobile networks make use of non-ionising radio
waves that do not pose a danger, adding that they are similar to the 3G and
4G networks already in use.

Some people fear damage to their DNA from such transmissions and in extreme cases, this has led to attacks on the transmitters and towers.

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

(BBC)

**

ALL HE WANTS FOR CHRISTMAS IS SOME DX

DON/ANCHOR: A father and son in Washington State have been celebrating the holiday season, ham radio style. Ralph Squillace, KK6ITB, has that report.

RALPH: There's little question what might have been on Jacob Hoschar's Christmas list this year. The Washington State youngster had already celebrated having his first wish fulfilled: getting upgraded from
Technician to General Class. That made KY7HAM a very happy 11-year-old
indeed. Now he's ready for the world of HF and all of its adventures. The journey began a year ago when Jacob's school was shut during the pandemic.
He and his father, Andrew, studied together to become hams together and got their licenses one week apart from one another. Their father-son journey is documented on the YouTube channel set up by proud father, K7OWN. One of the videos shows Jacob making his first contact via satellite. Now with his appetite sufficiently whetted for DX, he's ready to cross oceans and continents via radio and start filling that log. For this freshly minted General Class operator, the world is his, this holiday season.

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

**

WORLD OF DX

In the World of DX, members of the Welland Valley Amateur Radio Society in
the UK are using the following special callsigns to celebrate Christmas in Market Harborough and saying farewell to 2021. They'll be on the air
through December 31st. Be listening for GB1XMS on 30 meters using CW;
GB2XMS, on HF using SSB and FT8; GB5XMS , mainly using Data as well as CW
and SSB; and GB9XMS, using mainly FT8. See QRZ.com for QSL details.

Be listening throughout January for special event station OZ50Q. Danish
Radio Amateurs will be marking the 50th anniversary of Her Majesty
Margrethe II, the Queen of Denmark's, accession to the throne. Send QSLs to OZ1ACB, ClubLog's OQRS, eQSL or LoTW.

Get ready for an international radio marathon called Russian New Year 2022. The Russian Union of Radio amateurs, the Miller-DX-Club and the
HAMLOG.ONLINE portal will begin the marathon starting at 0000 UTC on
December 25th and finish at 2100 UTC on January 14th. Callsigns include,
but are not limited to, RG22NY, RJ22NY, RK22NY, RL22NY and RM22NY. For the full list see the website mdxc.ru. The QSL manager for all the special callsigns is RQ7L.

Bob, PY6TV, and a small team of Brazilian radio operators will be using the callsign ZY6A from Friars Island, Brazil, between January 20th and the
23rd. Listen on all HF bands for all modes.

(OHIO PENN DX)
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PARKS ON THE AIR TALLIES UP ITS 2021 CONTACTS

NEIL/ANCHOR: Parks on the Air activators and chasers had a busy year
in 2021. Vance Martin, N3VEM, gives us the year's numbers.

VANCE: In Parks on the Air News, with 2021 now in the books, Parks on
the Air would like to thank the nearly 4,000 activators, and 122,000
hunters who combined forces to make over 2.6 million contacts from
over 10,000 parks in 45 different DXCC entities for 2021.

Of particular note, we would like to congratulate Bill, K4NYM, who
completed 1,260 activations for the year and David, NG5E who activated
421 different parks. Congratulations are also due to Gene, NT2A, who
hunted 5,458 parks, and Joe, N3XLS, who made 11,467 hunter QSOs in
2021.

We also want to give special acknowledgment to two hunters, N5HA,
Kenneth Bailey, and W9AV, Clint Sprott, who managed to hunt at least
one park every day in 2021. There are several folks including myself
who are going to attempt the same feat in 2022, so stay tuned to the
monthly POTA updates to see how the 2022 Bailey-Sprott Park-a-Day
challenge is progressing, or follow along on twitter on instagram
using the hashtags #baileysprott and #parkaday

This is November 3 Victor Echo Mike with your 2021 December and Year
End Parks on the Air Update. Be sure to visit parksontheair.com for
information about the program, and pota.app for spotting, park
information, leader boards, and more.

(POTA)

**

PRIDE RADIO GROUP TO HOST FIRST CONTEST

NEIL/ANCHOR: Pride Radio Group, an Australian group with an
international membership, is getting ready to host its first
contest. Luke Erlacher, VK3UKW, brings us that story.

LUKE: Pride Radio Group has been a home and a champion for
underrepresented groups in amateur radio for a little more than
a year, and we are now planning our first contest.

The international CQ Pride contest will run through the first weekend
of June to celebrate Pride Month 2022.

The contest is open to all amateurs worldwide as single or multi
operator entries, with bonus points for working diversity oriented
amateur radio groups, newly licensed amateurs, and low-power operation.

Some details such as log submission are still being finalised, but mark
June 4 to June 6 on your calendars.

Pride Radio Group is an international group that aims to further
acceptance and inclusion for underrepresented groups in amateur radio.

This has been Luke, VK3UKW, for Pride Radio Group, VK3PRG.

NEIL/ANCHOR: Find the contest rules in the text version of this week's
Newsline script.

[FOR PRINT ONLY, DO NOT READ: https://prideradio.group/contest]

(PRIDE RADIO GROUP)

**

DXING COMES TO THE DESERT AT QUARTZFEST

NEIL/ANCHOR: As amateurs gear up for the big Quartzfest gathering in
Arizona, some hams are ready to go the distance -- the biggest
distance they can. Here's Ralph Squillace, KK6ITB, with the details.

RALPH: Think of the upcoming competition as "DXing in the desert,"
because that's just what it is -- and think of two of the contest's
past winners, such as Fred Scully, K0VK, and Richard McGaver, NK9G,
as being ready to rumble later this month. It's all friendly fun,
really, which is what amateur radio and camping out in Arizona's
Sonora Desert should be. During the one-week ham radio event known
as QuartzFest, a small but active club known as the Northern Arizona
DX Association is challenging everyone there to see just how far their
signals can reach while operating out among the tall cacti. The founder
of the Distance Challenge, Bob Wertz, NF7E, said this will be the DX challenge's third year: He was inspired to suggest it after he attended QuartzFest in 2018, and with the help of co-chairman Ron Gerlak, KG7OH,
the club made it happen. This year, QuartzFest takes place between the
23rd and the 29th of January. The challenge itself will take place on
the three days: Monday, January 24th; Tuesday, January 25th; and
Thursday, January 27th. Be there - or at least, be listening. You could
be the next big DX that makes someone a winner.

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

(BOB WERTZ, NF7E)

**

HAMSCI WORKSHOP GETS GRANT, SEEKS PRESENTERS

NEIL/ANCHOR: The National Science Foundation has just given a grant to
HamSCI, which is meanwhile looking for presenters for its March workshop. Kevin Trotman, N5PRE, brings us that story.

KEVIN: Congratulations to Nathaniel Frissell, W2NAF, founder of the Ham
Radio Science Citizen Investigation, or HamSCI, on being selected to
receive a National Science Foundation grant of nearly $50,000 toward
HamSCI's next workshop in March. The workshop will be held at the US
Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama on the 18th and 19th of
March, and will feature in-person as well as virtual activities. Its
focus this year is HamSCI's Personal Space Weather Station project,
which was previously granted $1.3 million from the National Science
Foundation. One of the project's goals is to gauge the impact weather
has on upper levels of the Earth's atmosphere. The findings are expected
to rely heavily on input from amateur radio operators.

Meanwhile, the workshop is calling for abstracts from prospective
presenters. Abstracts should be submitted no later than February 1st,
and successful speaker candidates will be notified by February 16th.
To submit an abstract, upload the document using the button that can
found at hamsci dot org stroke hamsci2022 (hamsci.org/hamsci2022)

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

(HamSCI)
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AUSTRALIAN CLUB BEGINS DISASTER COMMUNICATION SESSIONS

PAUL/ANCHOR: It's only a beginning, but one amateur radio club in
Australia has taken the important first steps in helping residents
in local districts, or shires, to communicate better during
disasters. Graham Kemp, VK4BB, brings us that story.

GRAHAM: Radio's resiliency during trying times has become the focus
of a new Special Interest Group convened by the Bendigo Amateur
Radio and Electronics Club. The group held its first meeting on
Saturday, January 15th, focusing on needs in the Shire of Mt.
Alexander. Using the Zoom platform, the meeting drew
representatives from a disaster-preparedness group, other amateur
radio clubs in Victoria and a number of candidates studying for
their amateur radio licence.

Coordinator Tony Falla, VK3KKP, told Newsline that there were even
some attendees who are not intending to become hams but nonetheless
want to be able to listen to the amateur frequencies and pass along
messages, sometimes by citizens band radio, when disaster strikes.
Tony is calling the special interest group the Mt. Alexander Radio
Watch and said its purpose is to create a network of listeners, not
to launch a rescue group. He said the Bendigo club is also working
with the Greater Bendigo Council to create a mechanism to link area
residents with the local council if they experience difficulties
during disasters.

Tony said the process will be ongoing in Mt. Alexander and that
other special interest groups are being organised shire by shire.
Meanwhile he said he hopes other shires will set up similar groups
of their own and perhaps send a representative to the next Mt.
Alexander meeting.

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

(TONY FALLA, VK3KKP)

**

SVALBARD ACTIVATION TO INCLUDE SATELLITE CONTACTS

PAUL/ANCHOR: Braving the cold, a group of DXpeditioners is heading
to the Arctic Ocean for an island activation that includes some
hoped-for satellite contacts. John Williams, VK4JJW, brings us that
report.

JOHN: Svalbard, which is considered the world's northernmost
habitable place, is home to about 2,000 residents and - for better
or worse - more than 3,000 polar bears. In April it will also
become home to a team of amateur radio operators who are launching
the first DXpedition from that location to make use of the QO-100
satellite. According to the team's website, although it will prove
daunting enough to operate CW, SSB, RTTY, FT4 and FT8 following a
snowmobile trip to their location in temperatures as cold as minus
25 degrees Celsius, the team will face the bigger challenge of
completing QSOs via satellite. The team's website states that this
region is on the very edge of the satellite's footprint and permits
a view of QO-100 at only 3 degrees above the horizon. Erik de Mey,
ON4ANN, and Max van Rymenant, ON5UR, considered such a challenge
early last year with Svalbard in mind. The team will be using the
callsign JW100Q0 for its satellite contacts between April 22nd and
24th. HF contacts will be made with the callsign JW0X between April
19th and 26th. Mark your calendar.

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

(AMSAT, DX ADVENTURE WEBSITE))
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SILENT KEY: SPACE ADVOCATE CHUCK BIGGS SR., WA5GNB/KC5RG

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: A Texas amateur known for his devotion to NASA programs
and to the Military Auxiliary Radio System, or MARS, has become a Silent
Key. Chuck Biggs Sr., WA5GNB and KC5RG, died on January 18th in hospice
care in Houston. The Arkansas native was a US Air Force veteran who took
a civilian position with NASA's then-new Manned Spacecraft Center, which
was later to be renamed the Johnson Space Center. His three decades of
effort with NASA led him to ultimately become vice president of the
Manned Space Flight Education Foundation. Chuck had also been involved
in SAREX, the Shuttle Amateur Radio Experiment and OSCAR, the Orbiting Satellite Carrying Amateur Radio programs. The Space Center named him
ham radio operator of the year in 1987.

A bronze plaque hangs at the Space Center today, bearing his name and likeness. Chuck was 84.

(LEGACY.COM)

**

RESEARCHERS' TRANSISTORS OPERATE USING SOUND WAVES

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Imagine a transistor that uses sound waves. Researchers
have done more than imagine it: they've created it. Andy Morrison,
K9AWM, explains.

ANDY: They're called acoustic topological transistors and unlike devices presently in use, they operate using sound waves, not electrons.
Researchers say that one of the transistors' key assets is its ability
to function with almost no dissipation of energy. The electrons are
designed to flow with no resistance.

According to a January 19th post on the IEEE Spectrum website, the
creation of these transistors was made possible with the use of
acoustical topological insulators. This follows the development in 2007
of something related: electronic topological insulators. These
insulators protect electrons' flow from any disturbances. Oxford
University researcher Harris Pirie said the development of these newest transistors will find applications in such fields as one-way acoustic propagation, ultrasound imaging, acoustic noise reduction, echolocation, acoustic cloaking and acoustic communications.

He said that because the physics of sound waves and the physics of light
waves are so alike, the same design principles that scientists used for creating acoustic topological transistors would be useful as well for
similar devices using light.

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

(IEEE SPECTRUM)

**

CYBERATTACK HITS GERMANY RADIO CLUB WEBSITE

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Hams in Germany are being reassured that their personal
data has not been affected by a cyberattack on the DARC website. Ed
Durrant, DD5LP, tells us more.

ED: The Deutscher Amateur Radio Club is reassuring hams in Germany that
a cyberattack on the group's website, which exploited the vulnerability
of a plug-in, does not appear to have compromised any members' data. The
DARC said it successfully halted the January 15th attack and will not
restore the full website to online status until it is convinced the site
is completely secured again. A statement by the DARC board reaffirmed to members that their personal data is kept in folders that are distinct
from the website and members' passwords to the website itself are stored encrypted. The board said it believed the attack was automated and was
not launched specifically to collect members' data. Meanwhile, an IT
company has been asked to conduct a forensic investigation.

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

(DARC)

**

NORDIC RADIO SOCIETY PLANS FOR LATEST HF CONFERENCE

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: The Nordic Radio Society's HF Conference promises to be
an international event, as we hear from Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

JEREMY: Thirty-three years after their first HF Conference, the Nordic
Radio Society is preparing to host a return to F†r”, [pronounced:
Foor-“ ] the small Swedish island in the Baltic Sea where all previous
such events have taken place.

This year's conference is scheduled from 15th to 17th August and should,
as usual, draw a substantial international attendance; they have been
held consistently every three years. Organisers note on their webpage
that the popularity of the programme has grown substantially since the
first in 1986, the agenda now including exhibits and talks, with
participants from all around the world. The society encourages
interested attendees to submit presentation papers now, the deadline
being 15th February. Previous conferences have addressed such subjects
as propagation, building resiliency for HF networks, achieving higher efficiency using low bandwidth links, and robust communications through
HF skywave channels using a filter bank spread spectrum technique.

To learn more about the conference, visit the link that appears in the
text version of this week's newscast.

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

(NORDIC RADIO SOCIETY)

[Note: link is missing - will be re-added later -- the editor has been
emailed. DS]
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AMATEURS CLAIM NEW QSO DISTANCE RECORDS USING SATELLITES

DON/ANCHOR: Some new long-distance records are being claimed for contacts using amateur radio satellites. Congratulations to Juan Felipe, A65GC, and Jerome, F4DXV, for their QSO on HO-113 made on the 13th of January between
the United Arab Emirates and France. Their contact at 1952 UTC reportedly spanned a distance of 5,298 km, or nearly 3,300 miles. Jerome, F4DXV, also reported a contact with Sergei, ES4RM, which would be a new record for AO-
109.

That contact between Estonia and France on the 22nd of December last year, they believe covered 2,445 km, or 1,500 miles, setting a new record for
that satellite. Their contacts were reported on the AMSAT News Service.
Well done!

(AMSAT NEWS SERVICE)

**

SPECIAL EVENT MARKS 90 YEARS OF AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORP

DON/ANCHOR: Australian amateurs are paying tribute to nine decades of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. They're doing it by - what else? - getting on the air. Jim Meachen, ZL2BHF, has those details.

JIM: Just weeks after hams in the UK began operating with a special
callsign marking the 100th anniversary of the British Broadcasting
Corporation, similar on-the-air festivities are taking place Down Under:

Ham radio operators in Australia are using the callsign VK90ABC to mark
the 90-year anniversary of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. It's
a nod to that memorable moment when the nation's airwaves came alive on
the 23rd of November in 1923, with Australia's first licensed public
radio broadcast, which featured the St. Andrews Choir. All amateur radio operators throughout Australia will be eligible to use the callsign, but
must apply for it first through an email to info at vk 90 abc dot net. (info@k90abc.net)

According to the callsign's QRZ page, there will be no QSLs sent direct
or by the bureau. Contacts are to be confirmed via LoTW and eQSL, with
logs uploaded once a month.

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

(VK90ABC.NET)

**

SPECIAL EVENT STATION BEING HELD AT LINCOLN HISTORIC SITE

DON/ANCHOR: Another special event, this one in the US, marks the life
of an American president, as we hear from Skeeter Nash, N5ASH.

SKEETER: There's a lot of history in the logs of the log cabin in Lerna, Illinois, home of the Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site. The cabin
was home to Thomas Lincoln and Sarah Bush Lincoln, father and stepmother
of Abraham Lincoln, the lawyer who was to become the 16th president of
the United States. The National Trail Amateur Radio Club is marking
Lincoln's February birthday by putting two callsigns on the air between February 7th and 13th. Be listening for K9L, which will be used by
members operating from their home QTH; and W9L which will be used at
the historic site itself.

There will be commemorative QSL cards for successful contacts on all
bands in all modes. The 86-acre historic site is no stranger to
important moments in history, and this amateur radio event expects to
be one of them. To learn more about how to get in the log - the radio
log, in this case - visit the QRZ page for either call sign.

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

(NATIONAL TRAIL AMATEUR RADIO CLUB)

**

MYSTERIOUS PULSES DETECTED BY AUSTRALIAN RADIO TELESCOPE

DON/ANCHOR: What's that up in the sky? A radio telescope in Australia
has picked up some unusual signals and Graham Kemp VK4BB tells us what
they might just be.

GRAHAM: We've all heard strange transmissions on the air but perhaps
none as strange as these: A radio telescope in Western Australia has
been picking up highly polarised signals in a repeating series of
pulses, suggesting that the bright object which appears to be its
source possesses a strong magnetic field. The scientists at the
International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research are detecting the
radio waves at a rate of three times an hour. An astrophysicist at
Curtin University believes this might be a magnetar, something that
only existed in theory until recently. Researchers have known about
the bright object since it was first seen in March of 2018.

The more than 4,000 low-frequency antennas of the Murchison Widefield
Array are picking up transmissions, which originate some 4,000
light-years away from Earth. Curtin University astrophysicist Natasha Hurley-Walker has stated that no, this isn't coming from aliens. To
solve the mystery, researchers at the Pawsey Supercomputing Center in
Perth will be exploring data from similar pulsing objects to compare
to this one.

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

(INTERESTINGENGINEERING.COM)
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BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the W8SRC repeater
in Dexter, Michigan, on Fridays at 9 p.m.

**

EU COUNTRIES TO STANDARDIZE CHARGERS FOR HANDHELD ELECTRONICS

DON/ANCHOR: Life for users of handheld electronics in EU countries is
expected to get a little bit simpler, as we hear from Ed Durrant, DD5LP.

ED: Electronics users in the EU nations will soon only be permitted to
use one kind of charger with their smartphones, headphones, tablets and
many other handheld electronic devices. The European Commission, the
executive branch of the EU, said that standardisation of all handheld
devices to use the same USB-C port by 2024 will make products more
sustainable and generate less electronic waste. Observers immediately
noticed that the move will have an especially big impact on companies
with proprietary chargers, such as Apple. Makers of laptops are being
given until later to complete the transition to universal charging ports.

The tentative agreement was reached June 7th and amends the Radio
Equipment Directive. The agreement will undergo a formal vote after the
summer recess has ended.

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

(WASHINGTON POST, NPR, TECHMONITOR)

**

ITU's AMATEUR STATION MARKS 60 YEARS ON AIR

DON/ANCHOR: Congratulations to 4U1ITU, the amateur radio station of the International Telecommunications Union, which is marking 60 years of
operation as part of the United Nations specialized agency for
communication. Its first QSO in June of 1962 was with DL4VK in Germany
and that contact marked the start of a busy 24 hours in which more than
1,300 contacts worldwide were logged. The station has since logged more
than a million contacts in CW, SSB and digital modes, including its first
use of the weak signal mode software WSJT, which bounced signals off the
moon. That activation was made by Nobel laureate Joe Taylor, K1JT, the software's creator and was logged on the occasion of the station's golden anniversary. In recent years 4U1ITU has logged contacts with astronauts
aboard the International Space Station and participated in the ARISS
program with students in Switzerland.

(ITU)

**

FINALISTS ANNOUNCED IN IARU REGION 1 HAM CHALLENGE

DON/ANCHOR: Judges in the IARU Region 1 Ham Challenge have identified the
five finalists, and Jeremy Boot, G4NJH, is here to tell us who they are.

JEREMY: As the IARU Region 1 Ham Challenge 2022 comes to its conclusion,
the five finalists have been announced. The jury has chosen these
proposals in keeping with the competition's goal to solicit ideas that
will draw more people into amateur radio and invigorate the hobby for
those already involved.

The finalists will continue in the competition at Ham Radio
Friedrichshafen, either online or in person, in a question-and-answer
forum. They are Nestor, 5B4AHZ, for a project known as "Escape Rooms," Gustavo, EA4HDN, for "AM BoB," Christian, HB9FEU, for "A public database
of fun projects for innovation," Luca, IU2FRL, for "UrgenSat" and Guy,
ZS6GUY, for "A Workbook that will showcase various aspects of the hobby."

Their next task is to prepare a video about their project and a document giving details on how they plan to make it a reality. Both the video and
the paper are due by the 22nd of June.

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

(IARU REGION 1)

**

SABLE ISLAND DXPEDITION LAUNCHES WEBSITE

DON/ANCHOR: If you're hoping to work the team on Sable Island off the
Canadian coast this fall, you can now track their progress with their
newly launched website. Here's Dave Parks, WB8ODF, with details.

DAVE: On a small North Atlantic island southeast of Nova Scotia, Canada,
you can expect to find gray seals, wild horses and ... amateur radio operators. Well, the third group will only be in temporary residence
there on Sable Island, which is also known as the Sable island National
Park Reserve. The team plans a seven- or eight-day DXpedition in October
and November as CY0S.

A website was launched earlier this month to keep DX enthusiasts up to
date and it will be adding new information on a regular basis. The
website is c y 0 s dot com (cy0s.com) and continues to be updated by
webmaster Chaz, W4GKF, and Randy N0TG. The team, which includes three DX
Hall of Famers, expects to operate in a very small area on the island so
as not to have any impact on the animals.

Visit the website regularly for updates.

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

(SABLE ISLAND DXPEDITION WEBSITE)
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SWEDISH HAM RADIO OPERATOR TO BECOME ARCHBISHOP

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: There are many prominent positions radio amateurs have achieved over the years, from United States Senator, to the monarchy in nations like Jordan or Thailand. In Sweden, Defence Minister Peter
Hultqvist holds the amateur radio callsign SM4HCF. Now you can add the
Church of Sweden's incoming archbishop to that list, as we hear from
Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

JEREMY: The Church of Sweden has elected Martin Modeus, SM5LVQ, to be the
71st Archbishop of the Church of Sweden. According to the Swedish Society
of Radio Amateurs, Martin already serves the church as bishop of the
Diocese of Link”ping, the fifth largest city in Sweden, located in the
south of the country. Martin will be received as archbishop during a
service to be held in December at Uppsala Cathedral, which has been the
see of the Church of Sweden's archbishop since the 12th Century. Martin
is to succeed Antje Jackelen, Sweden's first female archbishop, who is retiring.

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

(SWEDISH SOCIETY OF RADIO AMATEURS)

**

SPECIAL EVENT IN AUGUST TO HONOR ABANDONED, ABUSED PETS

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: If you think amateur radio is going to the dogs, you're
right - but those dogs are getting plenty of company, as we hear from Ed Durrant, DD5LP.

ED: The dog days of August will soon be upon us, and so too will August
26th, known as International Dog Day. A number of hams around the world
have decided to run with the pack by getting special event call signs and getting on the air to publicize the needs of abandoned and abused pets
who have ended up in shelters - dogs as well as cats. Hanz, YL3JD, wrote
in a QRZ.com forum that he will be operating CW from his shack in Latvia
using the call sign YL1DOG starting on Monday the 22nd of August until
the 26th. Hanz wrote: [quote] "I feel obligated to give exposure to this.
In my power as a radio amateur and animal lover bringing attention to
these abandoned pets is the least I can do." There are plans for other
call signs to be on the air too, including Joop, PG4I, signing as PF6DOG,
and Edwin, PD0SOT, signing as PD6DOG. International Cat Day is being celebrated on August 8th. Yevgeny, YL2TD, will be among those on the air
from the 7th until the 9th of August. He will be using the call sign
YL1CAT.

The list is growing but organizers are looking for even more operators to
call QRZ on behalf of shelter animals. Visit the website catsanddogsontheair.com to get the details. Then email Hugo, CT7AOV, to
have your station included on the list.

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

(QRZ, CATSANDDOGSONTHEAIR.COM)

**

TWO GRANTS SUPPORT OPEN-SOURCE PROJECTS FOR HAM RADIO

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Two grants have strengthened the practice of sharing and experimenting through open-source programs used for amateur radio. Andy Morrison, K9AWM, tells us what's going on.

ANDY: Amateur Radio Digital Communications has announced two grants
supporting open-source initiatives in amateur radio. One is a grant
focusing on software-defined radios, designed to help simplify the use of
the open-source software development kit, GNU Radio, on Windows
computers. The grant is also being given to support an upgrade of GNU
Radio's graphical user interface, known as GNU Radio Companion. These
funds will permit the hiring of developers, including a usability expert
to improve the experience of using GNU Radio Companion. Other expected improvements include better documentation for GNU Radio, easier
installation on MacOS and Windows computers and easier installation of out-of-tree modules. The contract workers will receive guidance from
volunteer mentors who are with the GNU Radio group.

The other grant will support experiments by students at Bradley
University in Peoria, Illinois, who are experimenting on the 33 cm band, developing an open-source 915 MHz digital transceiver system. Both the hardware and software are open-source and the design supports multiple
FSK/ASK modulation standards. According to the ARDC, the project will
permit low-cost experimentation with digital protocols on this
underutilized band and will fill a need that exists for available open-
source and open-hardware modules for digital radio modes.

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

(DAN ROMANCHIK KB6NU)
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THIRTEEN COLONIES SPECIAL EVENT RUNS THROUGH JULY 8TH

NEIL/ANCHOR: Get ready for the annual mad dash for a Clean Sweep
with the 13 Colonies Special Event. Jim Damron, N8TMW, brings us
that report.

JIM: The Thirteen Colonies Special Event, one of the amateur radio
calendar's most popular activities, starts calling QRZ starting
Friday, July 1st at 1300 UTC. Operators will be based on each of the
original 13 US colonies and at bonus stations in England,
Pennsylvania and France. The event runs through July 8th at 0400
UTC. The event honors the original 13 colonies that fought for
American independence and honors military veterans, and those still
active in the service.

This 14th annual nonprofit event is also dedicated to Tom Francis,
W1TEF, who had served as the state manager for South Carolina, which
is using the special event call sign K2L. Tom became a Silent Key in
March of 2020.

For further details on the event, including the modes being used,
visit the website www.13colonies.us - that's w w w numeral ONE,
numeral THREE colonies dot us. You can also visit the QRZ page for
any of the colonies or for bonus station TM13COL in France, GB13COL
in England, and WM3PEN in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

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

(13 COLONIES SPECIAL EVENT)

**

SHOPPING FOR QSOS AT WALMART

NEIL/ANCHOR: One of the more zany on-the-air events is back for its
third run. WalMart Parking Lots on the Air will be held on July 2
from 0000Z to 2359Z to coincide with the birthday of the famous
chain of American stores. The exchange must take place on an
amateur radio satellite and include the callsign and either the
WalMart store number or grid square. Activators -- or "associates"
as they are called by the event organizers -- are asked to use the
store number to reduce duplicate contacts. Rules and award
information are online at wmplota.org. So don't miss out on bonuses
like the birthday special or the MacGyver. Put on your pajamas and
aluminum foil hat, grab the rig, and head to a store parking lot
near you.

**

SOUTH AFRICA ANNOUNCES NEWEST LICENSEES

NEIL/ANCHOR: South Africa has announced its newest licensed radio
amateurs. Jim Meachen, ZL2BHF, has that report.

JIM: South Africa has welcomed its newest amateur radio operators,
following exam sessions for Class A and B licences that were held
recently. Seventy-four who took the Class A exam on May 21st
successfully completed its 60 multiple-choice test questions,
according to the South African Radio League.The Class A licence
permits a maximum of 400 watts of power.

A Class B exam was held on the 11th of June hosted by the ZS3ZU
Hammies. All seven young operators who took the 30-question exam
passed. To mark the occasion, three of the new amateurs took part in
the Hammies Sprint being held the next day - Sunday the 12th of June
- running the ZS3ZU station. The Class B licence, issued to
operators younger than 21, permits a maximum output of 100 watts of
power on HF, VHF and UHF bands. The licence is only valid until
holders reach their 25th birthday..

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

(SOUTHGATE, SARL)

**

WORKSHOP EXPLORES DISASTER COMMUNICATION AND THE PRESS

NEIL/ANCHOR: A workshop held jointly by groups in India and Japan
took an in depth look at communicating with the press during
disasters. We have more details from John Williams, VK4JJW.

JOHN: Amateur radio operators were among those in attendance during
a disaster-risk workshop held jointly on Friday, June 24th, by
organisations in India and Japan. Attendees were there to tackle the
challenge of communicating with the press about disasters.
Specialists from Japan and India teamed up for the full day of
presentations hosted by the Press Club of Kolkata. Both nations'
governments gave their support to the event, which also marked 70
years of diplomatic relations between Japan and India. Described as
a media sensitisation program, it united responders, government
agencies and media managers to discuss various aspects of handling
information and news coverage about risks during disasters.

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

(ASIAN COMMUNITY NEWS, AMBARISH NAG BISWAS, VU2JFA)
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DISASTER EXERCISE SET FOR HAWAIIAN ISLANDS

DON/ANCHOR: Hams throughout Hawaii are getting ready for a disaster drill
that needs as many participants as possible. We hear more from Kevin
Trotman, N5PRE.

KEVIN: To help hams in Hawaii ensure that they can be prepared when
hurricanes or other disasters strike the islands, Hawaii ARES is
conducting a disaster exercise on Saturday the 16th of July. Amateurs who volunteer to participate will make use of their radios as well as their computers to send messages in a variety of ways. That will include the
use of Winlink to transmit emails with simulated hurricane reports. Other messages will also simulate reports from area Red Cross shelters and will provide field situation and damage reports.

Michael Miller, KH6ML, appeared on a recent KITV newscast in Hawaii to
share the details and ask for all licensed amateurs to get involved. Hams
who participate in SKYWARN, CERT, and other emergency response programs
are welcome, as are those who may not be involved in RACES, ARES or any
club. In this statewide exercise, the hams will follow the standardized Incident Command System that is in use throughout the United States. The exercise presumes that each of the Hawaiian islands has lost internet,
cell phone service and electrical power as a result of a hurricane.

For details on how to get involved visit the website hawaiiares.net

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

(HAWAIIARES.NET, KITV HAWAII)

**

TRADITIONAL CW CELEBRATED DURING 'NIGHT OF NIGHTS'

DON/ANCHOR: Listen up: Commercial Morse Code is about to return to the
air, if only for a night. Randy Sly, W4XJ, explains.

RANDY: In the early years of the 20th century, there was nothing more reassuring for a lonely radio officer on a storm-tossed ship than the
response of a coastal station to their call. The last of these Morse
messages was sent on July 12, 1999. On that date, the founders of the
Maritime Radio Historical Society established their organization with the specific goal of returning coast station KPH to the air as a means to
honor the men and women who made the profession of radiotelegrapher one
of honor and skill. On July 12, 2022, the MRHS will hold its 23rd annual
Night of Nights, commemorating the tradition of commercial Morse code
once thought dead.

Each July 12th, since the year 2000, transmitters are brought online for
this special event from the original Marconi/RCA transmission site in
Bolinas, California. KPH and KFS will be operating on assigned commercial frequencies while K6KPH will be operating on several HF amateur radio
bands. For operational times, frequencies and QSL information, please
check the Maritime Radio Historical Society website at radiomarine.org.

(MARITIME RADIO HISTORICAL SOCIETY)

Newsline's Randy Sly, W4XJ reporting.

**

POTA OPERATORS UPLOAD OWN LOGS

DON/ANCHOR: Hams active in Parks on the Air received upbeat news on the
POTA website recently: From 1200 UTC on July 1st activators have been
able to upload their own logs rather than rely on regional volunteer coordinators to do so. Hams logging onto the POTA site should now see a
menu option called "My Log Uploads." The feature became active on July
1st, following a period of successful beta testing. Posting on the
website QRPer, Thomas Witherspoon, K4SWL, said the option was a welcome
change for activators.

The system update comes just in time for the POTA Annual Support Your
Parks Plaque Event on the 16th and 17th of July where there will be
shields to be won for various classes of operation.

(POTA)
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HAMS IN BRITISH COLUMBIA HOST 'CRUISE IN' FOR MOBILE

JIM/ANCHOR: If you're one of those hams who likes to operate while mobile, you're in good company, as we hear from Sel Embee, KB3TZD.

SEL: Inspired by a group of American amateur radio operators in Wisconsin, Surrey Emergency Program Amateur Radio V-E-7-S-A-R is hosting its first
mobile cruise-in for hams in British Columbia, Canada. It's an opportunity
to show off creative approaches to mobile operation, whether the portable shack is maritime mobile, pedestrian, bicycle or even horseback.

A post on the Surrey group's blog said that the local event will be held on August 14th and is modeled after the one that has been held for a dozen
years by the Portage County Amateur Radio Service in Wisconsin. The Surrey club's members are hoping to see creative approaches to operators' grab 'n'
go kits as well as more formal installations. Prizes will be awarded for
most bands covered and neatest installation. Entries will be judged by the Surrey fire and police services. The club is hosting it in the parking lot
of the A&W Restaurant in Surrey.

For more details visit v-e-7-s-a-r-dot-net (ve7sar.net)

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

(SURREY EMERGENCY PROGRAM AMATEUR RADIO)

**

CAR MAKERS REPORT DECLINE IN AM RADIOS

JIM/ANCHOR: Is AM mode going away? Well, certainly not in amateur radio,
but there has apparently been some action among automakers who are making
the transition to electric car manufacture. Kent Peterson, KC0DGY, brings
us that story.

KENT: Amplitude modulation - so loved by radio amateurs for being the first voice mode -- is apparently becoming the last-choice commercial radio
option for some automobile manufacturers who are having second thoughts
about retaining AM radio in their new cars, many are citing electric-motor interference. They claim that the electric motors that provide the power to the drive wheels mess with terrestrial AM radio reception, creating such issues as distortion, static and signal loss.

Tesla has already cut AM radios from its vehicles, starting with its
original Model S. BMW pulled it from both its i3 and i8 sedans -- and no
Audi models that are fully electric are equipped with AM radios either.

A representative for Audi explained on the consumerguide.com website that drivers can make up for the loss by opting to stream those stations via digital signals on a cellular or Wi-Fi connection. An article on the
website, thedrive.com, also noted that AM is practically gone from the broadcast radio scene in Europe as well, overtaken by the DAB format.

In the US, however, where AM radio still remains popular, it will be a challenge, especially for those long-distance drivers who most especially
love the commercial radio version of DXing. In fact, as one author wrote on the website of incompliancemag.com: [quote] " Woe to those drivers who have fond memories of listening to an ever-changing array of AM radio stations
as they traveled across the country in wood-paneled station wagons!" [endquote]

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

(CONSUMERGUIDE.COM, THEDRIVE.COM, INCOMPLIANCEMAG.COM)

**

PARKS ON THE AIR PREPS FOR SUMMER PLAQUE AWARDS

JIM/ANCHOR: The Parks on the Air awards program is hosting its Summer
Plaque Event, and preparing for its big awards ceremony to be held online
on the POTA YouTube channel. Vance Martin, N3VEM, has the details.

VANCE: Don't miss the Summer Plaque event, coming up July 16th and 17th,
UTC. This is our busiest weekend every year, and it's your chance to win
one of 17 high quality plaques for your shack!

Once the event is over, be sure to upload your activation logs using POTA's new self-upload service, and then be on the lookout at the annual plaque
event section from the menu at pota dot app for details on the award
ceremony where an esteemed list of guests will join us on the official POTA YouTube channel to help us announce the winners. Guest presenters for this year's awards show include individuals from :

AR Newsline
Ham Radio Crash Course
ICQ Podcast
Ham Radio Live! & WRMI Shortwave "CQ Calling Show"
Ham Radio Workbench Podcast
Parks on the Air

I am personally excited to announce that Matt Here, N3NWV, whom many of you know from our official POTA 101 videos will be taking over the reins of
these monthly updates beginning in August. I've had a lot of fun recording these updates, but I'm looking forward to handing the reins over to our official media-manager as we continue to grow the program.

As always, the team at Parks on the Air wishes you safe activations, and
happy hunting. 73. This is November Three Victor Echo Mike.

(POTA)
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RADIO SEIZED FOR INTERFERING WITH POLICE TRANSMISSIONS

PAUL/ANCHOR: In Texas, authorities cracked down after a hand-held radio
caused emergency intereference with police transmissions. Mike Askins,
KE5CXP, brings us those details.

MIKE: Authorities in Graham, Texas, seized a handheld radio that they
said had been transmitting illegally for months on emergency frequencies
used by the Young County Sheriff's Office. According to local media
reports, the transmissions on the dispatch channels often included the
voices of a man, woman and some children yelling at one another and the
sounds of a barking dog. A story in the Olney Enterprise newspaper said
that the police were so hampered in using their own assigned frequencies
that they often had to use cellphones instead to communicate.

Sheriff Travis Babcock contacted the Federal Communications Commission
which provided him with an official statement to read on the emergency
channel but that failed to bring the transmissions to a halt. The news
report said that on July 8th two officers patroling in their car heard
the unauthorized traffic and were able to track down the radio and its
owner. The owner of the radio was not identified.

It was not clear what charges would be filed against the owners of the
radio, which is now the property of the county sheriff's office. Charges
could range from a misdemeanor for interfering with public duty to a
federal offense for interfering with emergency communications.

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

(THE OLNEY ENTERPRISE, GRAHAM LEADER)

**

WISCONSIN EVENT CELEBRATES FLIGHT, HOSTS SPECIAL EVENT STATION

PAUL/ANCHOR: Aviation enthusiasts are getting ready to head to Wisconsin,
or point their antennas in that direction, for a special event - and a
special event station - celebrating flight. Randy Sly, W4XJ, brings us
the details.

RANDY: More than 10,000 aircraft and a half-million flight enthusiasts
will descend on Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, from July
25th to July 31st, turning it into the busiest airport in the world. It's
time for AirVenture, sponsored by the Experimental Aircraft Association.
Once again this year, it will not only involve being in the air but on
the air…

The ARRL has supported AirVenture since 2018 with an exhibit encouraging pilots and aviation aficionados to discover radio communications and technology through amateur radio. Kids will get a chance to experience
ham radio too: Volunteers at KidVenture will give youngsters an
opportunity to build and take home a radio receiver capable of listening
to air traffic and other nearby transmissions in the 65 - 140 MHz range.

If you aren't able to personally fly in or even drive in, you still have
a chance to check in: A special event station, W9W, sponsored by the EAA Warbirds of America, will be operating on HF, VHF and UHF during
AirVenture. More information about frequencies and operations of W9W can
be found in the text version of this week's newscast at ARNewsline.org.

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

TEXT VERSION ONLY:

The special event station will be located on the Warbirds' grounds near
their headquarters, against the backdrop of the display of historic and
vintage ex-military aircraft. Look for W9W on 40 - 10 meters near 7.225, 14.250, 21.235, and 28.425 MHz. The station will also operate on the
2-meter and 440 MHz bands, simplex. A special event QSL card will be
issued for contacts with W9W.

**

STATIONS SIGNING UP FOR LIGHTHOUSE AND LIGHTSHIP WEEKEND

PAUL/ANCHOR: Most of us already know about beacons and the jobs they do
for us as hams but what about the original beacons, the ones that have
helped guide sailors by using beams of light? Amateur radio operators are again preparing to celebrate the world's lighthouses and lightships with
an international weekend in August. Here's John Williams, VK4JJW, with
the details.

JOHN: Though many of the world's lighthouses now operate by automation
instead of the efforts of lighthouse keepers, there will be live
operators at historic lighthouses around the world on the weekend of
August 20th and 21st. They'll be operating radios instead of lighthouses
but in doing so, they will honour them.

This is the annual event known as the International Lighthouse and
Lightship Weekend, which since 1993 has publicised the need to ensure
these structures are not forgotten and are kept in good repair. What
began as an event with 11 operations at lighthouses eventually grew to
include 544 lighthouses and lightships across 56 countries in 2011. The 48-hour activation begins at 0001UTC on August 20th, on all frequencies
and in all modes. Radios will either be set up inside the lighthouses or directly nearby.The amateur radio event will be happening on the same
weekend that the International Lighthouse Heritage Weekend is held by the Association of Lighthouse Keepers, whose members are committed to
preserving lighthouse heritage.

Most importantly, it is not a contest. It is, in a way, a beacon in its
own right, shining a light on these important treasures that have long
served ships at sea for so long.

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

(ASSOCIATION OF LIGHTHOUSE KEEPERS, ILLW)
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BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the WD8IIJ
repeater of the Steubenville-Weirton Amateur Radio Club on Fridays at 8
p.m. local time in the hometown of the late great Dean Martin,
Steubenville, Ohio.

**

HAMS IN BELGIUM TAKE QSO PARTY TO THE AIR

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: In Belgium, a group of hams will be taking their next QSO party to the air. Ed Durrant, DD5LP, tells us what they've got planned.

ED: When is a QSO party more than just a QSO party? When it gets an extra
lift from a hot air balloon operating on 2 metres, 2,500 feet above the Belgian province of East Flanders. It's a club-wide project overseen by Jurgen, ON8VC, Niels, ON3NSB, and Bernard, ON5MB, members of the radio
club Zottegem, ON6ZT. The launch for the flight, which will last about an
hour and a half, is scheduled for August 10th at about 6 p.m. local time.
It is of course weather-dependent.

Jurgen said there will be two pilot ground stations. Erwin, ON7XF, and
Theo, ON4CLF, will handle logging for all stations worked. Dominique,
ON3DDH, and Chris, ON6ME, will be documenting the event in photos by
following the balloon by car. The QSL cards will feature many of the
photos.

Jurgen told Newsline in an email that the club has a QSO party each month
on VHF, mostly with local stations operating on 145.550. The hams decided
a few months ago to try and incorporate a hot air balloon into the
activity.

Stations are expected to spot their contacts on dxsummit.fi but amateurs outside the region of this very local event can still follow the action
on APRS. Club manager Benard ON5MB will run an APRS tracker that can be followed at APRS.fi.

Jurgen said this QSO Party is a kind of test flight: He said there are
already plans in the works to try this on HF in 2023.

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

(JURGEN ON8VC)

**

SPANISH MAGAZINE SPONSORS INTERNATIONAL YL EVENT

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: An amateur radio magazine published in Spain has announced
a YL Diploma contest that's going to be a worldwide event. Neil Rapp,
WB9VPG, brings us up to date.

NEIL: Every month, a Spanish magazine known as Selvamar Noticias transmits friendship, goodwill and radio education - not over the amateur bands, but through the pages of its free publication. Created by Manel, EA3IAZ, and
Juan Jos‚, EA3IEW, it has devoted itself to environmental issues, and to celebrating the achievements of the youngest members of the amateur radio community. The magazine also supports YLs deeply involved in the hobby.
The August edition of the magazine shines the spotlight on those YLs by devoting one third of its articles to YLs and their accomplishments. The magazine is also sponsoring a YL Diploma contest that runs from August
15th through to the 21st. Citizens Band stations and SWLs are also able
to participate. Stations will also be using Echolink and the digital modes.

Manel and Juan Jos‚ told Newsline in an email that the event is open to operators in all countries. The diploma will be presented as a downloadable PDF.

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

Although since starting publishing two years ago, the magazine has been translated into several languages including an accessible version for the disabled, the August edition will only be available in Spanish.

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

(Note: Due to the long URL's, they won't fit into the lines for the BBS
ham radio echoes. Please go to www.arnewsline.org -- click on SCRIPT,
then open the file in Notepad or a similar utility to read it. DS).

**

PROGRAM OFFERS HANDS-ON LEARNING TO FOUNDATION LEVEL HAMS

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: One amateur club in the UK is providing hands-on learning
to newcomers now that those lessons are no longer required by the license exam. Jeremy Boot, G4NJH, brings us the details.

JEREMY: Although the practical exam is no longer a requirement for a Foundation licence in the UK, practical experience is still a vital part
of getting started on the air. Members of the Sutton and Cheam Radio
Society in Surrey are providing that to newcomers with a hands-on session
on the 11th of September in Surrey. New licence-holders will learn how to adjust an aerial for various frequencies, make contacts on VHF and HF and learn how to set up a station. They will also get a chance to hear - and
learn more about - Morse Code. Many of these demonstrations were once
elements in the formerly mandated practical exam.

The practical proficiency test requirement was removed so that online
testing could take place during the COVID-19 pandemic. Practicals for the Intermediate exam were eliminated the previous year.

Those attending will be asked to pay a œ10 fee which is to cover use of
the headquarters of the 7th Banstead Scouts.

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

(SUTTON AND CHEAM RADIO SOCIETY)
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DV SCOTLAND, PHOENIX UK MERGE DMR NETWORKS

DON/ANCHOR: A merger between two popular DMR networks has
promised users the best of both. Jeremy Boot G4NJH brings us that
update.

JEREMY: The DV Scotland and Phoenix UK DMR networks have merged,
simplifying integration with other networks - both digital and
analogue. With both networks having a wide array of repeaters,
reflectors and servers, the two were considered complimentary and
a natural for such a merger. This had been a work in progress for
many weeks. The new network now benefits from a variety of DMR,
D-Star and Yaesu System Fusion repeaters as well as Allstar hubs
and analogue simplex gateways.

Eric, G6FGY, told Newsline in an email that current users will
not notice any changes and the new network DVScotland-Phoenix
will continue hosting a variety of nets accessible by various
modes each week. Eric said the merger reflects rather a change in
the management structure to operate the network.

A list of the nets hosted on this newly merged network can be
seen using the link that appears in the text version of this
week's newscast. The multimode network also supports Peanut,
Echolink and HamShack Hotline. Computer and mobile users can also
listen in by using the link asl dot dvscotland dot uk
(asl.dvscotland.uk)

This is Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

[FOR PRINT ONLY: https://www.dvscotland.net/multimode-nets ]

(DVSCOTLAND, ERIC G6FGY)

**

ALARA CONTEST ENCOURAGES INTERNATIONAL FRIENDSHIP

DON/ANCHOR: For more than 40 years, YLs in Australia have been
hosting a contest that doesn't just involve scorekeeping - it
also encourages international communication. Graham Kemp, VK4BB,
explains how it works.

GRAHAM: Yes there are awards to be had in the 42nd contest
sponsored by the Australian Ladies Amateur Radio Association.
There are even certificates and trophies - but organisers want
participants around the world to know that the real goal of the
42nd annual ALARA Contest on the 27th and 28th of August is to
get all licensed ham radio operators around the world - OMs and
YLs alike - talking to one another. By spotting on the clusters
and even on Facebook, all the competitors actually work together
to make it easier to make those important contacts. Competition?
Yes! But friendly competition. Be listening too for some of the
newest licenced YLs as well as Girl Guides and Scouts. Some
contacts are expected to be made on Echolink as well.

Visit the ALARA contest page for more details. The link is in
this week's text version of the newscast script. You'll find the
rules and any other details you need to know to get into the
contest.

I'm Graham Kemp, VK4BB.

[FOR PRINT ONLY: alara.org.au/contests/index.html ]


**

CROSS-COUNTRY SKI TRIP TO WARM UP THE BANDS

DON/ANCHOR: It's time to strap on those cross-country skis -- if
you're in Australia, that is -- and grab your radio equipment.
Hams are set for high adventure in the Victorian Alps, as we hear
from Jason Daniels, VK2LAW.

JASON: There's nothing like a winter trip through the snow-filled
Victorian Alps to bring some Winter warmth to the bands. That's
what a team of cross-country skiing radio amateurs in Australia
is hoping for as they call QRZ between Friday August 5th and
Tuesday August 9th. The activators include Stephen, VK3SN,
Gerard, VK3GT, Bronwen, VK3FIRH, and others and they will be on
the HF bands, 80 through 10m, using SSB and FT8. They will also
be on 2m and 70 CM simplex and on repeaters. They'll be using
lithium batteries and light solar panels for power. This isn't
the first time many of these hams have been making this kind of
winter trip. Past travels have been quite an adventure, involving
operations from igloos and a number of remote peaks.

Listening for them promises to be quite an adventure too.

This is Jason Daniels, VK2LAW.

(STEPHEN, VK3SN)

**

INDIAN SCHOOLGIRLS' SATELLITE LAUNCHED WITH 75 EXPERIMENTS

DON/ANCHOR: A satellite built by girls in India has been stirring
some excitement. John Williams, VK4JJW, tells us why.

JOHN: A small satellite built by 750 schoolgirls in India, will
be on board for the maiden flight of the Indian Space Research
Organization's Small Satellite Launch Vehicle this month. The
students were mentored by SpaceKidz India in the construction of
this 8-kilogram satellite. It carries 75 small experiments, a
camera to study solar panels in space and a variety of long range communications transponder experiments. The satellite also has a
messaging system for amateur radio operators.

Although this is not the first student satellite built with the
help of SpaceKidz India, this one is dfferent because it carries
its own power systems and batteries to power an anticipated six-
month-long orbit. This satellite is not, of course, the main
payload for the launch vehicle. The rocket will also be carrying
the Microsat 2A, which is designed to assist in the mapping of
parcels of land.

At the time Newsline went to production, the launch was scheduled
for August the 7th.

This is John Williams, VK4JJW.

(SPACE KIDZ INDIA, REPUBLICWORLD.COM)
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)

BREAK HERE:

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

**

IARU REGION 1 ANNOUNCES WINNERS IN 1st HAMCHALLENGE CONTEST

NEIL/ANCHOR: There are two top winners sharing the glory in the
first Hamchallenge competition of Region 1 of the International
Amateur Radio Union. Ed Durrant, DD5LP, tells us about their
achievements.

ED: The International Amateur Radio Union Region 1 has chosen two
hams to share top honours equally in their Hamchallenge
competition. The contest, which was introduced for the first time
on April 30th, asked participants to propose game-changing ideas
that would help grow the international amateur radio community.
Nestor, 5B4AHZ, and Christian, HB9FEU, were chosen as first-place
winners. Nestor's winning project was "Ham Radio Escape Room," a
virtual escape room inspired by the pandemic. Teams use radio
instead of webcams to communicate. Christian's project was a
public database of fun projects for innovation and technology-
oriented hobbyists. Many of the activities accommodated those
with very little experience or available equipment.

The third place winner was Luca, IU2FRL, and the Youth Prize went
to Guy, ZS6GUY. IARU Region 1 said it will be in touch with the
winners to help them turn their proposals into actual working
models. Hamchallenge will return in 2023.

This is Ed Durrant, DD5LP.

(IARU, SOUTHGATE)

**

RADIO PREPAREDNESS PROJECT BEGINS IN TRIPURA

NEIL/ANCHOR: A new emergency-preparedness strategy by officials
in the northeastern Indian state of Tripura is giving high
priority to amateur radio. Jim Meachen, ZL2BHF, has that story.

JIM: As many as nine new amateur radio stations are being set up
by the government of Tripura in India in an attempt to improve
communications during disasters. The State Disaster Management
Agency told reporters during a recent press conference an
estimated 1500 trained volunteers have already stepped forward to
operate the stations as they become available. The first station
will be ready to go on the air shortly and will be based at the
State Emergency Operation Centre in the Secretariat Complex. The
remaining eight still require proper licences from the Ministry
of Communication. The state officials said that ten more
automated rain gauges and seven automated weather stations will
also be installed in urban areas by India's Meteorological
Department.

Officials said they had hope that these additional measures would
increase all teams' abilities to provide lifesaving response in
the state, which is prone to a variety of catastrophes, including
flash floods, strong winds and heat waves.

This is Jim Meachen, ZL2BHF.

(NORTHEAST TODAY)

**

HAMS TOLD TO SHARE FREQUENCIES DURING PARIS OLYMPICS

NEIL/ANCHOR: Hams in France will need to share many of their
frequencies with broadcasters and others involved in the Paris
2024 Olympic Games. Jeremy Boot, G4NJH, brings us those details.

JEREMY: Just as some amateur frequencies were opened to other
users during the Olympics in London in 2012, amateur frequencies
are to be shared during the 2024 Olympics in France.

According to recent news reports, some VHF and UHF frequencies
are to become available between 26th June and 15th September 2024
to accommodate the Organising Committee for the Paris Games and
thus requiring amateur radio operators to limit their activities
on those bands.

The National Frequency Agency of France, which is responsible for
allocations in that country, said frequencies are being made
available during the games for private mobile radio voice
communications, mostly by walkie-talkie. Amateur radio operators
are considered primary users on 2 metres by the ITU. On other
bands, 1240 MHz to 1260 MHz will be used for programme-making and
special events, or PMSE services. These frequencies are open to
hams on a secondary basis. Frequencies on the 2.3 GHz band, also
open to hams on a secondary basis, will be used for video links.

This is Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

(SOUTHGATE)
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)

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.

**

SCIENTISTS ANNOUNCE KEY TO SMALLER CAPACITORS

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Physicists in Europe say they have found a key to
creating smaller capacitors for electronics. Kevin Trotman, N5PRE, has
that report.

KEVIN: Researchers believe they have found a means of building smaller capacitors, allowing for some electronic devices to be greatly
miniaturized. The IEEE Spectrum reports that scientists are saying
these capacitors could even be as small as one-hundredth the size of
many of the ones presently in use. They are creating them with
materials they call superlattices and they are made from materials that
mimic antiferroelectrics. Antiferroelectrics are important because they
have positive and negative poles -- electric dipoles -- pointed in
opposing directions, creating zero electric polarization. Exposed to an electric field having sufficient strength, antiferroelectrics can
become highly polarized, which results in the large energy densities
needed.

Because there are few antiferrelectric materials that occur naturally, scientists have created and used artificial ones and report in the
Journal, Science, that their work with the superlattices shows promise
for working on a much smaller scale: their ability for energy storing
is 100 times greater than conventional capacitors. Physicists believe
they will someday be used to create these ultra-tiny capacitors.

Physicist Hugo Aramberri of the Luxembourg Institute of Science and
Technology said: [quote]: "It would be interesting to measure other properties, like how much voltage they can withstand, their endurance
in long-term use, and ultimately commercial viability." [endquote]

I'm Kevin Trotman, N5PRE.

(IEEE SPECTRUM)

**

WORLD OF DX

In the World of DX, be listening for Fred, DL5YM, and his XYL Tina,
DL5YL, operating as HB0/DL5YM and HB0/DL5YL, respectively, from
Lichtenstein between September 7th and 27th. They will hike during the
daytime and later operate on 160-6 metres using mostly CW, with some
SSB and RTTY. You may also hear them in the CQWW DX RTTY Contest on
September 24th and 25th. QSL via their home callsigns, direct, via the
DARC Bureau or ClubLog.

Be listening for Giuseppe, IK5WWA, operating as IM0M (Eye Em Zero Em)
from La Maddalena between September 1st and 13th on various HF bands
plus 6 metres. He will also participate in the I.I.A. Italian Island
Award. Send QSLs to his home callsign, via the bureau or direct.

Alex, AK4AM, will be active as AK4AM/p from Atlantic Beach, Bogue Banks
off the coast of North Carolina between September 2nd and 6th. This is
IOTA NA-112. Alex will be on 160 metres through 6 metres. Additional
details are available on QRZ.com. QSL via LoTW.

Satoshi, JH2EUV, can be heard on the air from Timor-Leste (OC-148) as 4W/JH2EUV. He is operating on 10, 12 and 15m FT8. It is unclear how
long his stay will be. QSL via LoTW or the bureau.

Be listening for Harald, DF2WO, operating from Burkina Faso as XT2AW
from September 4th to the 18th. He will be on the HF bands using CW,
SSB and the digital modes. He will also be using the QO-100 satellite.
QSL via QRZ.com instructions.

Here's a reminder too, for the weekend of the 20th and 21st of August.
It's the 25th annual International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend.
With 360 lighthouses around the world registered at the time of writing
to take part in this event they will be active across the HF and VHF
bands on all modes. This is not a contest so call and have a chat! Full details at ILLW dot NET.

(OHIO PENN DX, DX-WORLD.NET)
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, like the George County ARES repeater in Lucedale, Mississippi, Wednesdays at 7:37 p.m. local time.

**

ITCHING TO WORK THE SCRATCHIN' POST QSO PARTY

JIM/ANCHOR:If you want to have a QSO party, all you need is a reason. Much like the World's Largest Teapot event that recently concluded, this ARES special event station is just dripping in Southern charm.

DON: In coastal Mississippi exactly 40 miles north of the Gulf of Mexico
and 10 miles west of the Alabama state line lies the friendly little town
of Lucedale, Mississippi, founded in 1901, population 24,762. Right in the heart of downtown Lucedale on the corner of Mill and Main you'll find a four-by-four wooden notched post known as The Scratchin' Post. From 1937
until 1993 there was a very popular 24-hour restaurant at that site known
as The Coffee Pot, renowned for its 5-inch tall merengue pies. The
restaurant is long gone, a victim of progress and rerouted highways, but
The Scratchin' Post still stands tall. And on Saturday, September 3rd,
George County ARES will put it on the amateur radio map with The Scratchin' Post QSO Party. You may be asking why is it called The Scratchin' Post?
It was a tradition when entering and exiting the restaurant to scratch your back against the post. Several famous spines found comfort in rubbing up against that hunk of wood. Baseball legend Dizzy Dean. Country music
legends Tennessee Ernie Ford and Ernest Tubb. Actors Kirk Douglas, Gene
Autrey and Roy Rogers. Even Ronald Reagan in his Hollywood days as well as
Tom Lester, "Eb" on "Green Acres." You can scratch that radio itch by listening for K5K on 20 and 40 meters phone as well as FT4 and FT8.
Operating hours are 1300 to 2300 UTC on Saturday, September 3rd. They will
be operating Field Day style from the downtown City Park. If you're in
that neck of the woods, stop by and enjoy some fine Southern hospitality. Everything you need to know, as well as a picture of The Scratchin' Post,
can be found on the K5K QRZ page. Sounds like the perfect excuse for a QSO party.

I'm Don Wilbanks, AE5DW.

**

VOLUNTEER MONITORS SEND HAMS COMMENDATIONS, NOTICES

JIM/ANCHOR: A recent trip to the mailbox brought surprises for some hams - some pleasant surprises, others not-so-pleasant. Sel Embee, KB3TZD,
explains.

SEL: The Volunteer Monitor Program, begun in 2020 as a cooperative effort between the FCC and the ARRL, recently released its report for July of this year. The program delivers commendations as well as notices of improper operation to hams as a way of boosting compliance with amateur radio
license regulations.

The latest commendations include a ham in Columbia, South Carolina for
helping amateurs complete programs for the Community Emergency Response
Team and for assisting those involved in the county's Emergency Operations Center. Commendations were also given to hams in Poughkeepsie (poo-KIPP-
See) New York for conducting the community bulletin board on a local
repeater. Hams in Roslyn, Pennsylvania were also given commendations for involving the Phil-Mont Mobile Radio Club in Field Day and MESH operations.

Meanwhile, notices for unlicensed operation were sent to logging companies
in Washington state for their use of 2-meter amateur frequencies. Another notice for unlicensed operation was sent to an operator in Indian Hills, California for operating 2m simplex APRS during a high-altitude balloon flight, one year after the operator's license had been cancelled by the
FCC.

Notices for operating FT8 outside license privileges were issued to a Technician class operator in Martinez, California and a General-class
operator in Trenton, New Jersey. Notices for operating on SSB outside their General class privileges were issued to hams in Massapequa (massa-PEE-
KWAH), New York, and Trenton, New Jersey.

This is Sel Embee, KB3TZD.

(ARRL)

**

SPECIAL 9/11 EVENT MARKS TERROR ATTACKS' 21st ANNIVERSARY

JIM/ANCHOR: Recalling the difficult day that was September 11th, 2001, a
group of US amateurs is marking that grim anniversary with a special event starting very soon. Jack Parker, W8ISH, tells us what their plans are.

JACK: Members of the Alabama Contest Group will be carrying the message
"Nine Eleven, Remembered Once More," during a special event being activated
to honor the victims of terrorism who perished 21 years ago in New York
City, Washington, D.C., and Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Stations will be
using the callsign K4A starting at 0001 UTC on September 8th and running through to September 12th, operating on all bands and using CW, SSB, FT8
and RTTY. Organizers are expecting many hams to be calling in with stories
of remembrances from September 11th, 2001.

Planners have been busy on the Discord chat app making a schedule that will
be accessible to amateurs worldwide. An extra effort will be made on CW and FT8 to help Pacific DX operators, especially in VK and ZL, make contacts. Certificates will be available in addition to QSL cards. QSOs are needed on four bands in any combination of modes to qualify for a certificate.
Outside of North America, only three bands are needed.

According to the QRZ page for K4A, this event recognizes "peace-loving
people all over the world." Visit the page for K4A or WA1FCN for more
details.

This is Jack Parker, W8ISH

(ALABAMA CONTEST GROUP)
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)

RSGB PREPARES FOR RE-ENACTMENT OF TRANSATLANTIC CENTENARY TESTS

NEIL/ANCHOR: Get ready for the Transatlantic Centenary Tests, coming this December to an HF frequency near you. The Radio Society of Great Britain
has already started to get things rolling, as we hear from Jeremy Boot,
G4NJH.

JEREMY: With the support of Ofcom, the Radio Society of Great Britain
have reactivated five callsigns that date back to the 1920s, at the dawn
of amateur radio communication across the Atlantic. The call signs are
going back on the air for all of December during the Transatlantic
Centenary Tests, which took place between 1921 and 1923. The call sign
G5WS is being used from the 1922 tests, as the first to make the ocean crossing. Its signal from South London was heard in North America on the
24th of December in 1922.

Other call signs will be G5AT and G6XX, both used for the 1923 tests,
G6ZZ, used for tests in 1924 on a moving rail train, and the Scottish Highlands call GM3DR.

These tests will differ from the original ones in that they will engage stations in two-way communications with UK and Crown Dependency-based stations. Stations will be in England, Scotland, Wales, Guernsey, the
Isle of Man, Jersey and Northern Ireland.

So get ready for what lies ahead. Additional details can be found on the
RSGB website. See the link in the text version of this week's newscast at arnewsline.org

This is Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

[PRINT ONLY: https://rsgb.org/transatlantic-tests/ ]

(RSGB)

**

EAST COAST RADIO OPERATORS PUT APPALACHIAN TRAIL ON THE AIR

NEIL/ANCHOR: Hams are signing up to activate POTA and SOTA sites along
the Appalachian Trail in the eastern United States. Kevin Trotman, N5PRE,
tells us about the event and its participants.

KEVIN: Imagine being part of an event that covers six national parks,
eight national forests, more than 40 SOTA summits and over 65 state parks
and forests that have POTA designations. It's a stretch of land known as
the Appalachian Trail and it's considered a major national treasure in
the United States. For the second year in a row it will be where you can
find activators participating in the second annual Appalachian Trail On
the Air event. It's also where chasers around the country, if not the
world, will be pointing their antennas.

The trail itself has a POTA national designation of K-4556 and on the
weekend on Saturday, Oct. 1 and Sunday, Oct. 2, activators will be
posting their POTA schedules and SOTA alerts. Activators can plan ahead
and sign up in advance now by going to the website www dot A T ontheair
dot net (www.atontheair.net) and complete the form that appears on screen
when you click the button that says "RSVP."

This event was begun last year as the inspiration of Mike WB2FUV, an
amateur living in the mountains of upstate New York. According to his QRZ page, he fell in love with operating QRP from the mountains and trails of
the northeast two years ago. He writes on his page that last year's event attracted more than 50 activators on SOTA summits and POTA parks in 11
states all along the Trail. Chasers were answering their calls from
throughout North America and Europe.

This is Kevin Trotman, N5PRE.

(QRZ, SOTA REFLECTOR, NORTHEAST SOTA CLUB)
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)

BREAK HERE:

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

**

W1AW MARKS ANNIVERSARY OF ITS SHACK'S DEDICATION

PAUL/ANCHOR: Congratulations to W1AW, the headquarters station of the
American Radio Relay League. The station is marking the anniversary of
the dedication of the brick building in Newington, Connecticut, that
became its shack on September 2nd, 1938. The league's official station
has the callsign of its founding president, Hiram Percy Maxim, who became
a Silent Key in 1936. Following his death, the league applied to replace
its callsign of W1MK with Maxim's. The busy station is known around the
world for the welcome it gives to guest operators as well as for its
bulletin transmissions and on-air practice sessions of Morse Code.

(ARRL)

**

YOUTH PLAQUES ENCOURAGE PARTICIPATION IN OCEANIA DX CONTEST

PAUL/ANCHOR: There's extra excitement for younger amateurs in this year's Oceania DX contest. Graham Kemp, VK4BB, tells us why.

GRAHAM: Two new, youth-related, plaques have been added to the phone
section of this year's Oceania DX contest on October 1st from 0600 UTC, sponsored by Oscar Reyes, VK3TX, a noted DXer and an IARU Region 3
director.

The two new plaques are intended to engage younger hams. The "World Youth Phone plaque" will recognise the highest-scoring amateur of 25 years or younger from outside of Oceania. The "Australia Youth Phone plaque" will recognise the highest-scoring amateur 25 years of age or younger from
within Australia.

This is the 77th running of the contest whose aim is to get non-Oceania stations to contact those around the Pacific region and the bands promise
to be busy with VK and ZL operators calling CQ Oceania DX contest.

This is Graham Kemp, VK4BB.

(OCEANIA DX CONTEST, WIA)

**

OBSERVATORY EDUCATOR HONORED FOR WORK IN ASTRONOMY

PAUL/ANCHOR: Hard work in the field of astronomy education paid off
recently for one longtime educator who's been honored for her years of advocacy at facilities around the United States. We hear more from Sel
Embee, KB3TZD.

SEL: The assistant director for education and public outreach at the
National Radio Astronomy Observatory has been honored for her work by the Astronomical Society of the Pacific. Suzanne Gurton is being recognized
with the Klumpke (Klumm-Key) Roberts Award for nearly four decades of her effort helping educators develop and present astronomy programs to
further the public's understanding. Before joining the Observatory in
2016, Suzanne Gurton worked at a number of planetariums around the United States and also served as an astronomy lecturer at the Griffith
Observatory in Los Angeles. She is a former writer and producer at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.

Previous recipients of this award have included Isaac Asimov, Carl Sagan, Timothy Ferris, and Walter Sullivan.

The observatory is a facility of the National Science Foundation.

I'm Sel Embee, KB3TZD.
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)

CANADIAN LICENSE-HOLDERS ASKED TO WEIGH IN ON CALLSIGNS

DON/ANCHOR: Radio Amateurs of Canada is hoping to push for some changes
that affect license-holders' callsigns and the group is asking for input.
We hear the details from Andy Morrison, K9AWM.

ANDY: Radio amateurs who hold a Canadian Certificate and have a Canadian callsign are being asked to complete a survey for Radio Amateurs of Canada, which wants to advocate for changes in policies regarding Canadian
callsigns. The results of the survey will be used by the RAC to come up
with proposals to show Innovation Science and Economic Development Canada,
the governmental regulator.

According to the RAC website, hams are being asked to weigh in on questions about special-event callsign authorisations, two-letter suffixed callsigns, the handling of callsigns for Silent Keys; and various special prefix authorisations. The survey will also explore whether it should be mandatory for hams to change their callsigns if they relocate to another region in Canada. Hams are also being asked whether callsigns with one suffix letter should be issued as permanent personal call signs.

This is just a sampling of the issues included in the survey, which opened
on the 5th of August and will remain accessible to hams until the 30th of September. Though the questions are thorough, they take no more than 10 or
15 minutes to complete. The survey was created by Dave Goodwin, VE3KG, the RAC's regulatory affairs officer.

Amateurs holding Canadian callsigns wishing to take part in the survey can
do so by using the link in the text version of this week's newscast at arnewsline.org

This is Andy Morrison, K9AWM.

[FOR PRINT ONLY:
https://www.rac.ca/canadian-amateurs-call-sign-policy-survey/ ]

(RADIO AMATEURS OF CANADA)

**

ARRL GRANT MAKES ARKANSAS SCHOOL CLUB A REALITY

DON/ANCHOR: School is only back in session barely a week for many
youngsters in the United States, but one group of teenagers already has
some serious homework to do. Dave Parks, WB8ODF, tells us about their assignment.

DAVE: It's official: Cave City High School in Arkansas, has its own radio
club at last. The club recently received its charter from the American
Radio Relay League along with an $8,000 grant from the ARRL's Grant Foundation. Those funds will be used to purchase and install radio
equipment, including a local repeater. Science teacher Lynn Williams,
N5TLW, told the Guard On Line that the club received lots of support from
the Batesville Area Radio Club whose members helped the high school club's president, Ithyca Bacon, KI5QOS, get things in motion. The students are
hoping their station and the repeater will be on the air within the next
few months. In the meantime, the school club is going to host a number of informational meetings for community members who want to learn more.

The achievement is bittersweet for many involved in setting up the new
club. The president of the Batesville area amateurs, Steve Shelton, AE5RU, became a Silent Key on the 27th of August. Lynn, who is a member of the Batesville club, said on the Batesville club's Facebook page that the
success of the students' efforts to form the Cave City High School Amateur Radio Club comes in large part due to Steve's dedication to that effort. He wrote: [quote] "The current and future students in the club will benefit
from his influence." [endquote]

This is Dave Parks, WB8ODF.

(GUARDONLINE, FACEBOOK)

**

CHINA RESCHEDULES LICENSE EXAMS FOR 'C' CLASS

DON/ANCHOR: Candidates for the top-level amateur license in China have a
few more weeks to wait to take their exam, which has been postponed. Jim Meachen, ZL2BHF, has that story.

JIM: Amateurs in China will soon sit for a technical proficiency assessment being given for those seeking the highest class of the nation's amateur
radio licence - the "C" class. C class hams are permitted up to 1 kW of
power on bands below 30 MHz and 25 watts above 30 MHz. The exam will be
held in Beijing on November 5th and will be overseen by the Beijing Radio Association.

The announcement came from the Chinese Radio Amateurs Club, the national
ham radio association, which said that the assessment had originally been scheduled for October 22nd but had to be rescheduled.

This is Jim Meachen, ZL2BHF.

(CRAC, SOUTHGATE)

**

EQUIPMENT SETS SAIL FOR PALAU DXPEDITION

DON/ANCHOR: It won't be long now before 15 hundred pounds, or 680
kilograms, of equipment for the T88WA DXpedition arrives at its final destination: The Republic of Palau in the western Pacific Ocean. The ship
set sail on the 7th of September. The operators, members of the Western Washington DX Club, are to leave the United States at the end of October: Justin, K5EM; Jack, N7JP; Rob, N7QT; Brian, N9ADG; and Robin, WA7CPA, the
only YL in the group. The expedition will take place inside an operating bungalow between November 2nd and 14th using three stations and six
antennas. One hexbeam will be pointed towards Europe and another towards
North America. The group writes on their page on QRZ.com that they are
hoping to make the first activation of 60m from Palau and be lucky enough
to give EU contacts on the low bands.

(QRZ)
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)

UK AMATEURS ACTIVATE FOR RAILWAYS ON THE AIR

PAUL/ANCHOR: All aboard: It's time to celebrate Britain's heritage steam railways, and Jeremy Boot, G4NJH has just the ticket.

JEREMY: The Moorlands and District Amateur Radio Society has a special
link to the Foxfield Light Railway as that is where the club is based. Foxfield, which is run by a preservation society, is one of Britain's
oldest heritage steam railways. Club members are putting it on the air
during the Railways on the Air event on September 24th and 25th using
the callsign GB1FLR. Railways on the Air is an annual celebration of the
role that these trains played in the nation's heritage. Be listening on
HF and VHF phone as the Foxfield amateurs operate from locator square
IO82. The club welcomes QSL cards via eQSL, direct or through the
bureau. Full details are on the GB1FLR qrz.com page.

For details about the event and a list of other stations, visit rota dot
barac dot org dot uk. (rota.barac.org.uk)

This is Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

(QRZ.COM)

**

REGISTRATION OPENS FOR TASSIE HAM RADIO CONFERENCE AND EXPO

PAUL/ANCHOR: Registration has opened for a major amateur radio
conference Down Under. John Williams, VK4JJW, tells us what's happening
in Tasmania.

JOHN: Speakers from around the world will be presenting lectures on a
wide range of amateur radio topics during the Tassie Ham Radio
Conference and Expo in November. Registration has opened. The two-day
event, which is being organised by the Radio and Electronics Association
of Southern Tasmania, will be held on the Sandy Bay campus of the
University of Tasmania. The conference will be held on Saturday the 5th
of November and presentations will include such topics as interference mitigation, remote station operation, low-power portable EME, promoting
your amateur radio club and youth engagement.

The expo will be held the next day.

Registration is mandatory for those who wish to attend. See the link in
the text version of this week's newscast at arnewsline.org.

[PRINT ONLY:
reast.asn.au/news-events/tassie-ham-radio-conference-and-expo/ ]

This is John Williams, VK4JJW.

(REAST)

**

CUB SCOUTS TO GET HAM RADIO PREVIEW

PAUL/ANCHOR: When youngsters meet up on Saturday, October 1st at the
Peterloon Scout Camp in Cincinnati, they will be getting a preview of
two things: These 10-year-old boys, known in Scouting as Webelos (wee- buh-lows) will see what awaits them when they leave the rank of Cub
Scout and become full-fledged Scouts. They will also get a preview of
amateur radio. Be listening for a special event station being operated
by the West Chester Amateur Radio Association operating all day from the
scout camp with the call sign N8P. Hams will be on the air using the
club's Go-Box, calling CQ and looking for future hams in Scouting.

(JOCELYN BRAULT, KD8VRX/VA2VRX)

**

UK HAM LOGS FIRST-TIME 8M CONTACT WITH SOUTH AFRICA

PAUL/ANCHOR: Imagine being the first amateur to log a DX contact on a
band that is experimental in your country. Well, that happened to one
ham recently in England. We hear about him from Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

JEREMY: For Paul, G7PUV, it was an experiment that worked. The East
Sussex amateur, who holds an Innovation and Trial licence to use 40 MHz, announced that he has made the first SSB contact on the band between the
UK and South Africa, where 8 metres is a standard ham frequency which
gives amateurs a primary allocation with a maximum of 400 watts output
between 40.675 and 40.685 MHz.

Paul reports that he accomplished this Trans Equatorial Propagation
contact with Willem, ZS6WAB.

He writes on his QRZ.com page that Ofcom has permitted him access to the
band on frequencies between 40 and 42 MHz for testing purposes.

Paul posted a video of the 17th of September contact on his Twitter
feed. You can watch it by following the link that appears in the text
version of this week's newscast at arnewsline.org

[FOR PRINT ONLY:
https://twitter.com/AceBlaggard/status/1571161819846164482 ]

I'm Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

(TWITTER, SOUTHGATE)
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)

FAMILY OF HAMS LAUNCHES EDUCATION PROGRAM IN ROMANIA

JIM/ANCHOR: A new amateur radio education project in Romania has begun reaching thousands of students -- as well as their families. Ed Durrant,
DD5LP, tells us more.

ED: Enjoying amateur radio is a family priority for Petrica (Patricka)
YO9RIJ, his wife, Alina (R-leen-A), YO9RYJ, and their son, Rares
(raresz), a short-wave listener with the call sign YO9 -001. Since the
spring, however, spreading the word about amateur radio has become an additional priority. Alina (R-leen-A), a college professor, believes that
the science of radio is an important part of students' education,
inspiring Petrica (Patricka) to develop an educational curriculum with
lessons mixing science and amateur radio. Called RadioScience 2.0, it was
one of six projects to win funding from the Romanian American Foundation
this past spring. By May, students were receiving lessons in the schools
and even in the parks, with hams from the Romanian Contest Team
participating to share their experiences too. Petrica (Patricka) told
Newsline in an email that nearly 5,000 youngsters and teenagers - and
even parents and grandparents - have since attended classes to learn and
to explore kit-building. Most recently, more than 50 young people took
their ANCOM exam a little more than a week ago, testing to earn their
licence.

Petrica (Patricka) said this is just the beginning. His dream is to build
a ham radio science centre in Buzau (BuzzOw) City. He said it is: "A real challenge but we have hope!"

This is Ed Durrant, DD5LP.

**

AM QSO PARTY CELEBRATES ORIGINAL VOICE MODE

JIM/ANCHOR: The annual AM QSO Party sponsored by the Antique Wireless Association isn't so much a contest as a challenge: It invites hams to
get on the air using radio's original form of voice communication:
amplitude modulation. Andy Morrison, K9AWM, tells us about this year's
event.

ANDY: Ron Skipper, W8ACR, coordinator of the AM QSO Party for the Antique Wireless Association, considers this year's event a success. The weekend operation introduced hams to amplitude modulation - or reminded long-
timers that AM is still a viable option. During the two-day activity on September 24th and 25th, Ron himself made 40 or so contacts during the
QSO party. He told Newsline that three of those operators he logged said
they were experiencing either their first or second time using AM mode.

Ron told Newsline [quote] "I think that once a ham operator uses AM successfully, he realizes that it is a viable alternative to SSB, and not
just an outdated mode of communication." [endquote]

Ragchews were encouraged and, for others, so was simply listening. Ron
reminds hams that there's plenty of time now to prepare for the next AM
QSO Party. If your rig already has AM mode, try it out. If have vintage
gear at home, dust it off. Or, if you are a home brewer, get busy.

This is Andy Morrison, K9AWM.

(RON SKIPPER, W8ACR)

**

RSGB UNVEILS UPDATED TOOL TO MEASURE EMF

JIM/ANCHOR: To help amateurs in the UK comply with EMF exposure limits,
the Radio Society of Great Britain has updated its calculator - and is
also looking for input on the changes. Jeremy Boot, G4NJH, brings us the details.

JEREMY: An updated tool has become available to help hams comply with
Ofcom licence requirements to monitor their stations' electromagnetic
field exposure. The Radio Society of Great Britain has made changes to
both its online calculator and web app and are seeking feedback on the
new versions, which have been launched on a trial basis. The new
calculators enable hams to determine EIRP as well as compliance
distances. According to the RSGB website, the updated calculators no
longer have the previous versions' 10 MHz minimum frequency restriction
or the minimum separation of the near field boundary. They recommend a compliance distance of 2.4 metres to keep people from coming into contact
with the antenna. The new version also calculates limits set by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection for 1998
and 2020.

Additional details are available on the Society's website at rsgb.org

This is Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

(RSGB)
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline
heard on bulletin stations around the world including the W3NTT repeater
in Palmerton Pennsylvania at 9 p.m. on Sundays.

**

AMSAT-INDIA GIVES ENGINEERING STUDENTS AN INTRO TO HAM RADIO

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Amateur radio was the big lesson of the day recently on
one university campus in India. Jim Meachen, ZL2BHF, tells us what
everyone talked about happened.

JIM: There was perhaps no better way to mark the occasion of Engineering
Day in September than to hold an amateur radio workshop on a university
campus and provide some eye-opening lessons for tech students there.

AMSAT-India's regional coordinator, Rajesh Vagadia, VU2EXP, did just that
at Marwadi University in Gujarat, and in four hours the 80 students from
the Information and Communications Technology Department, along with a
special team assigned to a student project, gained insights into amateur
radio as well as ham radio satellites. For that one special team of
students, the timing could not have been better: The university recently announced that they will be building a satellite to be launched by the
ISRO. The workshop provided some bonus preparatory work for them.

The more terrestrial-minded demonstrations - from digital modes and VHF
FM to SSTV - were conducted with the help of Sakshi Vagadia, VU3EXP, and Shyama Vagadia, VU3WHG, who is also part of the student satellite team. Workshops also covered such topics as the jargon of amateur radio,
operating in the POTA and IOTA award programmes, high-altitude balloon tracking and, of course, CW.

Just as every amateur contact on the air is usually followed up with a
QSL of some sort, this workshop is not the end of the contact with this campus. Rajesh reported that the university administrators were so
pleased that AMSAT-INDIA can expect to come back to conduct more
programmes.

This is Jim Meachen, ZL2BHF.

(QRZ.COM)

**

EXTRA CLASS 'GERATOL' NET TURNS 50

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: A popular Extra Class net is back on the air after taking
a break for a few months. We hear about their plans from Sel Embee,
KB3 T Zed Dee.

SEL: The GERATOL Net is back. That's spelled G E R A T O L, which stands
for Greetings Extra Radio Amateur Tired of Operating Lately, except after
a few months of NOT operating lately, the net is back on the air. You can
find Extra Class operators checking in every night on 3.668 MHz, starting
at 0100 UTC. Now in its 50th year of operation, the net is marking the occasion by adding an anniversary award to the array of awards it already confers to qualifying hams. To be eligible, hams must make 50 contacts -
one for each year of the net's lifetime - during a session of the GERATOL
Net. These contacts must be logged during the period of the net's
anniversary year. The contacts must include the club staton W0NL.

For details about the award or additional information on how to find and
check into the net, visit the website g e r a t o l dot net (geratol.net)

This is Sel Embee, KB3TZD.

(GERATOL NET)

**

STUDENTS IN UKRAINE AWAIT THEIR SATELLITE'S LAUNCH

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: A student-built CubeSat is being prepared for launch next month and its young creators in UKraine have included amateur radio
operators in their plans. Ed Durrant, DD5LP, brings us up to date.

ED: Students at the Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute in Ukraine
are looking forward to the November launch of an educational satellite
they built with a group of space-exploration enthusiasts. The students' Cubesat is designed to work on a variety of scientific and technical
issues related to research at the institute's school, the National
Technical University of Ukraine.

The Cubesat, QBUA01, will be in a sun-synchronous orbit and accessible to
hams around the world who can receive telemetry, beacon and science
payload data.

The nano-satellite project will focus its studies on near space and will explore the operation of solar sensors, magnetometers, gyroscopes, electromagnets and flywheels used in stabilization and orientation in
space. Research will also focus on thermal regulation of a payload using
heat pipes and on new software for controlling satellite systems and
obtaining telemetry. Frequencies to be used are still being finalized.A
9k6 GMSK UHF downlink is proposed using AX25.

This is Ed Durrant, DD5LP.

(IARU)
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)

PROGRESS FOR IRELAND'S FIRST SATELLITE

NEIL/ANCHOR: Another success has been scored by Ireland's first
satellite, which is moving forward through development and testing to
its eventual launch. Jeremy Boot, G4NJH, reports.

JEREMY: The team developing EIRSAT-1, Ireland's first satellite, has
returned from Belgium, where the project underwent rigorous testing at
the CubeSat Support Facility, including an assessment to ensure it
would survive launch. The University College Dublin team includes David Murphy, EI9HWB, and Lána Salmon, EI9HXB. They are developing the low- earth-orbit CubeSat as part of the European Space Agency's "Fly Your Satellite" programme. ESA administrators have said in the past that
they view the project as a way to grow a new generation of space
scientists and engineers to nurture a space programme for Ireland. The satellite is tentatively scheduled for a launch from an ESA base in
French Guiana by early 2023.

This is Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

(EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY, IRISH TECH NEWS)

**

AUSTRALIAN RADIO GROUP CYCLES FOR CANCER RESEARCH

NEIL/ANCHOR: In Australia, hams are on the move for a very important charitable cause - and the power they are using is pedal power. Graham
Kemp, VK4BB, tells us what they're up to.

GRAHAM: You've heard, of course, of the Solar Cycle but what kind of
hams concern themselves with the Charitable Cycle? That would be
members of the Bendigo Amateur Radio & Electronics Club's Pedal Radio
Group, Throughout the month of October, these most mobile of the moble operators are getting themselves in motion to meet the Great Cycle
Challenge, which is raising money throughout Australia for research
into childhood cancer.

This is an event that the Pedal Radio Group participates in each year.
The group's spokesman, Graeme Knight, VK3GRK, writes: [quote] "This is
a great chance to get out, have fun, exercise and promote amateur
radio." [endquote] Riders pledge how many km they will ride and how
many dollars they hope to raise. As Graeme also notes, there's nothing
to stop riders from carrying an HT - safely of course - and making
contacts.

He asks: [quote] "Could this be Bikes on the Air?" [endquote] Perhaps
yes but remember, it's kilometres that count most here - not contacts.

This is Graham Kemp, VK4BB.

(BAREC)

**

HISTORIC SITE HOSTS L.I. RADIO CLUB CELEBRATION

NEIL/ANCHOR: Congratulations to the Suffolk County Radio Club, W2DQ,
which celebrated its own personal history of 75 years at a site where groundbreaking history was once made by innovator Nikola Tesla. The
club's special event activation and outdoor celebration was held on
Saturday October 8th at the scientist's former laboratory, Wardenclyffe,
on Long Island, New York. Portable antennas provided the radio reception
and a gathering of friends and food, plus a visit from local elected
officials, provided the rest of the reception. All the best to the club
for the next 75 years.

**

SEVEN-DAY EVENT FOCUSES ON ENGLISH LIGHTHOUSES

NEIL/ANCHOR: As the days get progressively darker earlier in some parts
of the world, the lighthouses of England are providing a little radio
relief. Jeremy Boot, G4NJH, picks up the story from here.

JEREMY: Traditionally beacons of safe navigation for ships at sea,
lighthouses in England are about to become symbols of successful
navigation for signals sent in their direction by amateur radio
operators around the world. The organisation that oversees the English Lighthouse Awards scheme has set aside seven days -- Saturday the 22nd
of October through to Friday the 28th -- for the Lighthouse Challenge. Activators will be lighting up these towers, at least figuratively,
hoping for contacts from lighthouse hunters throughout England -- and
beyond. According to the event website, contacts made during the week
will also count toward the programme's regular awards. They may also contribute to other organisations' awards since many carry a Worked All Britain Square and references for World Wide Flora Fauna or POTA.

If you are interested in being a part of the activity during the week,
just tune your rig up and get started. Registration is not necessary
and entry is free, as are the awards and certificates. Only activators
are required to keep logs.

For additional details, visit englishlighthouseawards - that's one
word - dot uk (englishlighthouseawards.uk/)

This is Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

(ENGLISH LIGHTHOUSE AWARDS)
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)

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 repeaters in St. Louis, Missouri, on Monday nights following the
World Friendship Net which begins at 7 p.m. local time on EchoLink.

**

NEW YOUNG AMATEURS LICENSED IN SOUTH AFRICA

JIM/ANCHOR: Here at Newsline we always celebrate the licensing of new
hams, especially among the younger generation. Graham Kemp, VK4BB, is
here with some more reasons for us all to celebrate.

GRAHAM: The Hammies Amateur Radio Club, ZS6ZU, is celebrating yet
another graduation. The latest group of youngsters who'd been studying
to sit for their Class B - the entry-level licence - passed their
recent examinations. The club, a member of the South African Radio
League, has prospective licence-holders work with volunteer tutors
learning theory and completing hands-on projects. The youngsters are
usually between the ages of 9 and 15. Congratulations to everyone for a
job well done.

I'm Graham Kemp, VK4BB.

**

HAM RADIO ARCHIVE TO DIGITIZE CLUB, PERSONAL DOCUMENTS

JIM/ANCHOR: Is it possible to digitize amateur radio history? Well, the Internet Archive is planning to do just that - and it needs your help.
Andy Morrison, K9AWM, explains.

ANDY: If you want to be a part of history, here's your chance. The
Internet Archive is asking ham radio operators to look in their
collections of printed and digital materials as well as any personal
materials for inclusion in a digital library providing a window into
the history of the amateur radio community. The library is especially interested in collecting material that documents contributions by any
groups who historically may have been marginalized in the ham
community, such as women and people of color.

A recent grant from Amateur Radio Digital Communications is underwriting
the development of the library, which will give open access to educators, students, researchers and members of the public. The library is called
the Digital Library of Amateur Radio and Communications. Print materials,
such as newsletters, pamphlets and journals, will be digitized for easier access. To enrich the collection further, developers of the library are
hoping to conduct oral histories of influential individuals active in
amateur radio.

If you think you have materials that could be useful for the library,
email Kay Savetz, K6KJN, the program manager of special collections.
Writing on the Internet Archive blog, Kay noted that he was especially interested in obscure materials, including locally produced ham radio newsletters and small magazines. Kay can be reached at kay@achive.org

I'm Andy Morrison, K9AWM.

(GIZMODO, HACKADAY, INTERNET ARCHIVE BLOG)

**

WEST VIRGINIA STUDENTS FORM COLLEGE HAM CLUB

JIM/ANCHOR: The newest team on the campus of Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia isn't involved in varsity sports, but amateur
radio. Sharing the same name as the school's athletes, the Thundering
Herd Amateur Radio Club is getting a foothold with a core group of six members, including founder Jacob Wriston, KE8PWC. Jacob is a pre-med
student majoring in biology and a ham for two years. He told Newsline
that one of the most immediate things on the club's agenda is to help unlicensed members study for the FCC exam and to grow the size of the
club. There's lot of studying to be done and of course some paperwork
too, so the club can apply for a callsign and establish a shack on
campus.

Meanwhile, Jacob has been exploring the HF bands and perfecting the art
of antenna-building. He told Newsline that hands-on projects are
perhaps his favorite part of the hobby. It looks like one of those
projects, the Thundering Herd Amateur Radio Club, is coming to
fruition.

(JACOB WRISTON, KE8PWC)
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio
Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world including the
N8VAA repeater, serving parts of West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland
and Pennsylvania and the Potomac Highlands Amateur Radio club from
Moorefield, West Virginia on Monday nights at 8.

**

HAMS WORLDWIDE PREP FOR CQWW COMPETITIONS

PAUL/ANCHOR: As Newsline went to production, hams were gearing up
for the first part of the two-part CQ WW amateur radio competition -
considered the largest of its kind in the world. The first of the
48-hour marathons begins on SSB at 0000 UTC on Saturday, October
29th and ends at 2399 UTC on Sunday October 30th. More than 35,000
hams are expected to be on the air for the first of the two weekend
contests. After that, you have time to prepare for the CW challenge,
which will be held on the weekend of November 26th and 27th. Details,
rules and the results of previous competitions are available at cqww
dot com (cqww.com).

**

CALIFORNIA AMATEURS EXPAND TRAINING FOR EMERGENCY RESPONSE

PAUL/ANCHOR: A newly formed nonprofit group in California is
filling a need to support ongoing disaster-response efforts. Ralph
Squillace, KK6ITB, tells us what's been happening.

RALPH: Few people understand the value of the El Dorado County
Neighborhood Radio Watch in California better than the members who
have joined the group since it began in 2019. The radio watch's
life-saving communication efforts using General Mobile Radio
Service equipment, combines with those of the El Dorado County
Amateur Radio Club to save lives - some even of their own members.
This has been especially critical during wildfires and in other
disasters. The two organizations are now working together even more
closely - and more formally - following the creation of a nonprofit corporation known as the Community Emergency Radio Association, or
CERA. As a fundraising arm for the two radio groups, CERA is there
to receive donations and apply for community safety grants,
magnifying the lifesaving potential of these local radio sentinels.

Alan Thompson, W6WN, told Newsline that the teamwork goes beyond
even that ambitious agenda. CERA is also a mentoring group,
assisting in emergency preparedness, public safety exercises and
instruction to prepare for the amateur radio licensing exams. Alan,
who is the public information officer for the groups, said that the
El Dorado hams' membership roll has grown and the Neighborhood
Radio Watch now has 500 members throughout the county. Alan said
the groups are also consulting with several other ham radio clubs
both in and outside of California. Alan gave a presentation
recently to the Cool-Pilot Hill Advisory Committee at the Pilot
Hill Grange on Monday, October 24th.

This is Ralph Squillace, KK6ITB.

(ALAN THOMPSON, W6WN)

**

YOUNG HAM FROM INDIA SET FOR ANTARCTIC TRIP

PAUL/ANCHOR: Imagine being a young amateur radio operator chosen
for a first-time trip outside your home country - to Antarctica.
Well for one young ham in India, that just became a reality. John
Williams, VK4JJW, tells us about him.

JOHN: Congratulations to Sarabjeet Singh Chhabra, VU2CUW, who at
age 27 becomes part of a team going to Antarctica in December as
part of the 42nd Indian Scientific Expedition there. Sarabjeet has
been a ham since 2015 and according to a news report in Telengana
Today, this will be his first international journey. He was chosen
to join the logistics team by a panel of 11 at the Ministry of
Earth Sciences in Delhi. His work will involve providing support to
the primary research team. Each team has two radio operators who
will be using handheld VHF radios or larger HF rigs to cover
greater distances, depending on what type of communication the team
needs. This is an annual expedition to India's Antarctica Base
Station conducted by the National Centre for Polar and Ocean
Research.

This is John Williams, VK2JJW.

(TELENGANA TODAY, ITSHAMRADIO.COM)
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline
heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the K4LYL repeater
in Bedford, Virginia, on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10 a.m. and 10 p.m.
local time.

**

GERMAN AMATEURS AWAIT NEW 'N' OPERATOR CLASS

DON/ANCHOR: Hams in Germany are awaiting a decision by the nation's
regulator to add a third class of amateur radio license by early next
year. Ed Durrant, DD5LP, tells us what that could mean.

ED: Germany's proposed new "N" class entry-level licence could be in
place as early as January the 1st of 2023. The possible addition,
announced earlier this year, is being reviewed by the German regulator, BNetZa, as a way to add a third licence class to the existing E, Novice
and A, Full, licence classes. A change in the regulations would give the
N class operators call signs with the prefix DN and the current DN
callsigns, which are used for training purposes under supervision of a licensed ham, would be cancelled on December 31st of this year, to be
replaced by the use of a DN/ prefix .

The new entry level "N" class will grant privileges to use the 2 metre
and 70 centimetre bands with up to 10 watts EIRP. The operator will be
allowed to build and operate home made equipment as long as it conforms
to the regulations. It is possible that usage of the 10 metre band may
also be added to the class N licence at the end of 2023.

The content of the licence exam syllabi will also be changed to make them "cumulative" with the ability, it is hoped, to allow the taking of the
class N, class E and class A exams in sequence to get to a full licence
in one day of testing. The class N exam will cover all legal regulations, operational rules and a limited amount of technical knowledge questions.
The class E and A exams will then only cover additional, more technical
theory questions, building on the knowledge of the previous level or
levels.

This is Ed Durrant, DD5LP.

**

HAMS IN KOLKATA SOLVE RF ISSUE FOR POLICE RADIOS

DON/ANCHOR: When you have a radio interference problem, who better to
turn to than an amateur radio operator? That's just what police officials
in one part of India thought when their handheld radios were knocked out
of service by holiday lights. Graham Kemp, VK4BB, brings us the details.

GRAHAM: A group of major Hindu festivals were coming up on the autumn calendar, starting on Sunday October 30th, and police officials in West Bengal, India, were once again struggling with their radios. Something
was causing havoc with their handhelds during the autumn Hindu festivals
and it appeared that VHF radio communication was again going to be nearly impossible for crowd control and security.

This year, police took their radio dilemma to some local radio amateurs
in the West Bengal Radio Club. According to a report by the Indo Asian
News Service, the hams conducted a variety of tests on the officers'
radios. Ultimately, they noticed the interference peaked when signals had
to pass through areas where traditional holiday lights were being used to decorate Kolkata's parks and gardens during the festive season. With the
help of physicist Pasupati (posso potty) Mandal (mon dall), VU3ODQ, a
club member, the hams determined the interference came from the strings
of LEDs manufactured in China, which used cheaper components. According
to Dipak (dee pock) Chakraborty (chock rah boar tee), VU3OKT, when they
were illuminated, the LEDs emitted a noise on a frequency very close to
the one the police radios were using.

The hams recommended replacing the Chinese LEDs with ones manufactured in India, which had different components that did not seem to cause the same issue. According to Ambarish Nag Biswas, VU2JFA, that seemed to have
solved the problem in time for the festivals.

This is Graham Kemp, VK4BB.

(INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE)

**

INDIA LAUNCHES FIRST GROUP OF COMMERCIAL SATELLITES

DON/ANCHOR: India has launched its first group of commercial satellites. Jeremy Boot, G4NJH, explains what comes next.

JEREMY: The Indian Space Research Organisation is celebrating the launch
into orbit of 36 internet satellites from the London-based company,
OneWeb. The launch on Sunday, October 23rd coincided with the Indian
Festival of Lights, known as Diwali. An Indian GSLV Mark III rocket was substituted for the Russian Soyuz originally planned for the operation
before the Ukraine invasion earlier this year.

This was the second flight for the Indian rocket but its first commercial multi-satellite mission. The flight was overseen by the ISRO's commercial division, New Space India Limited.

According to a BBC report, the latest launches mean that OneWeb, which is partly owned by the British government, is almost three-quarters of the
way to having its first-generation satellite constellation achieve global coverage. The rollout is expected to be completed by the middle of 2023.

This is Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

(BBC, SPACE.COM)
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)

ELMERS ORGANIZE TO HELP CANADA'S NEWBIES

JIM/ANCHOR: In western Canada, a growing number of hams have discovered
that the most effective way to transmit to other hams doesn't necessarily involve being on the air. Andy Morrison, K9AWM, has that story.

ANDY: In Calgary, Alberta, a group of enthusiastic mentors has begun
tackling the ongoing mystery of the vanishing newbie - the candidate who studies for and passes the Canadian Basic certification. That same ham then moves on to an Advanced licence, attends some club meetings but soon tapers off radio-related activity within that first year. It is a recurring
pattern of loss that Jerry Spring VE6TL and others in Calgary believed they could help stop.

Jerry told Newsline [quote]: "This pattern continued for years until a few
of us Elmers got together and figured out what was missing." That's when
they formed a dedicated team of Elmers known as SASTAR. SASTAR stands for Southern Alberta Support Team for Amateur Radio. Compiling a list of the latest newbies, the team reached out to reduce what Jerry calls the
"culture shock" experienced by new licence holders: the antenna regulations, the different modes and their own puzzling equipment needs. The Elmers of SASTAR organised and reached out via personal contact methods that included Zoom and groups.io which added extra appeal for the youngest among the
newbies.

Jerry said: [quote] "Suddenly, we started seeing/hearing a lot more people
on the air. Some even decided to learn CW and take to the HF airwaves even though they hadn’t considered these things before. The same thing happened with fox hunting, SOTA and Field Day." [endquote] In fact, some now
volunteer as SASTAR Elmers too.

The enthusiasm is spreading to the Atlantic provinces, where APSTAR was
born with the help of SASTAR. Prince Edward Island amateur George Dewar, VY2GF/VY2PLH, is replicating this proven method with Elmers in that region with guidance from Jerry, and Pat, VE6PDS. George may not be the last one
to extend the experiment either. Jerry said he's already had inquiries from
a friend in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Stay tuned.

This is Andy Morrison, K9AWM.

(JERRY SPRING, VE6TL)

**

DISASTER-RESPONSE STARTUP LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS

JIM/ANCHOR: Just as the word Anemoi (Anna Moy) signifies the mythical Greek gods of the four winds, a new effort known as Anemoi Incident Response is looking to provide communications and assistance to all corners of the
United States when disaster strikes. As it grows from its Arkansas
location, the not-for-profit conducting a nationwide recruitment action, a multifaceted outreach that includes amateur radio operators. Dave Parks, WB8ODF, has those details.

DAVE: Colleen Udell, president of Anemoi Incident Response, said the organization received its nonprofit status in May but its origins go back
much further with the veteran responders who created it. Anemoi's component teams include AUXCOMM, weather spotters, ground crew, social media and dispatch. Colleen told Newsline [quote] "We all have plenty of years of disaster relief experience and wanted to find a way to utilize
communications to complement what is going on with all these other disaster relief organizations." [endquote] The other assistance groups include ARES
and nongovernmental organizations that step in during a crisis. Colleen
said Anemoi is as much a safety net for these NGOs as well as for the small communities that sometimes fall between the cracks in a crisis because they lack a robust response team or any plan at all.

AUXCOMM team director Thomas Sarlitto, KD9JSA, is based in Illinois and assistant AUXCOM director Paul Falk, KO4KXV, is in Florida. Anemoi hams can live anywhere in the US, just as the group's stormchasers are scattered throughout the US. Tom said that portable repeaters are in the works for UHF/VHF radios and non-amateurs can eventually be deployed using GMRS and business radios.

If you have skills that you think can be put to good use in helping, visit their website myanemoi dot org (myanemoi.org). That's anemoi, spelled A N E
M O I

You'll find a link to an application form, and a reminder on their home
page that [quote] "there's no shortage of ways to give back." [endquote]

This is Dave Parks, WB8ODF.

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

ISS ASTRONAUT BOB BEHNKEN, KG5GGX, RETIRES

NEIL/ANCHOR: A US astronaut whose tenure on board the ISS made history has retired from NASA. We hear about him from Paul Braun, WD9GCO.

PAUL: Congratulations to astronaut Bob Behnken, KG5GGX, who retired from
NASA on Friday, the 11th of November. Bob, a former colonel in the US Air Force, made headlines as the pilot and joint operations commander for the first crewed flight of the SpaceX Dragon when it was launched to the International Space station in May of 2020. Previously, Bob had been on flights of the space shuttle Endeavour, logging 93 days in space. During
these missions, he completed 10 spacewalks in all, for a total of 61 hours.

Bob became an astronaut candidate for NASA in July of 2000. His first spaceflight was aboard the Endeavour eight years later, as a mission specialist.

This is Paul Braun, WD9GCO.

(NASA, AMSAT NEWS SERVICE)

**

MARCONI IS HONORED BY VIRTUAL REALITY PRESENTATION IN WALES

NEIL/ANCHOR: Using the innovative technology of virtual reality, an arts center in Cardiff, Wales, is celebrating a radio pioneer who made history
with technology that was innovative for his own time: the 19th century. We have those details from Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

JEREMY: The presentation at the Wales Millennium Centre is called "A Signal Across Space," a title that refers to the Morse Code transmission sent on
13 May 1897 by Guglielmo Marconi across a stretch of open sea.

The signal travelled between Flat Holm Island in the Bristol Channel and Lavernock Point on the south Wales coast. The moment becomes reality - or rather, virtual reality - for audience members at the centre who are given special VR headsets enabling them to experience themes in music, poetry and dance that were inspired by Marconi's experiment. Viewers see it all in a 360-degree immersive experience.

The 50-minute film has several sections, of which one uses part of a
lecture from the Barry and District Radio Society describing Marconi's experiment. Another section, called "In the Air," recounts the story of Marconi's 19th century experiment more directly. The centre has also
assembled a small exhibit for audience members to view afterwards,
offering a closer look at Lavernock, where Marconi received those first transmissions. The programme concludes on 20th November .

I'm Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

(WALES MILLENNIUM CENTRE, NATION WEBSITE)

**

ACMA SEEKS INPUT ON PROPOSED LICENSE IN AUSTRALIA

NEIL/ANCHOR: The deadline is coming up fast for hams in Australia to
comment on a proposed new license class. Graham Kemp, VK4BB, brings us
up to date.

GRAHAM: The clock is running out for amateurs in Australia who want to
submit comments on a proposed amateur class licence and on a separate
proposal that would permit amateurs to increase operating power from 400
watts to 1 kW PEP. Under the latter, Advanced Class amateurs.

The class licence is proposed to take effect in July 2023.

The Australia Communications and Media Authority will accept all
submissions until 5 p.m. Australian Eastern Time on the 29th of November.

This is Graham Kemp, VK4BB.

(ACMA)

**

HAMVENTION CHOOSES "INNOVATION" AS THEME FOR 2023

NEIL/ANCHOR: The Hamvention 2023 team has announced that "Innovation" will
be their theme for the 2023 expo in Xenia, Ohio. Writing on the Hamvention website, team member Michael Kalter, W8CI, said the theme was particularly exciting because [quote]: "We are confident it encompasses the world of amateur radio today in just one word." [endquote] Hamvention will be held
May 19, 20 and 21, 2023 at the Greene County Fairgrounds and Expo Center. Tickets are already available online and by mail. The website is hamvention.org

(HAMVENTION 2023)
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline,
heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the N2JDW repeater
in New York City, on Monday nights at 8 local time, just before the
Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Service Net.

**

SKYWARN PROGRAM GOING STRONG IN SEVERE WEATHER

PAUL/ANCHOR: As many of us know, weather patterns seem to be changing everywhere. One thing that doesn't change is hams' dedication to
preparedness in the face of disaster. Randy Sly, W4XJ, spoke to one
such group.

RANDY: With the recent late season hurricanes, and early season snow
storms here in some parts of the United States, everybody's talking
about the weather these days. For the National Weather Service, one
of their key resources for determining ground truth reports during
severe weather is the SKYWARN program, which is strongly supported
by the amateur radio community.

While hams have always played a key role in the program since its
inception in 1965, one group has taken their mission way beyond
SKYWARN. The Southwest District Skywarn Team Of Western Pennsylvania
offers general weather classes, training for relay and net control
stations, SKYWARN reporting procedures, daily rain gauge reporting
with CoCoRaHS, and other training, along with bi-monthly meetings on
Zoom. They also have worked at developing relationships with adjacent
NWS forecast offices to provide better interconnectivity, and
communications during activations.

Eddie Misiewicz (Mi-shŠ-vitz - short e) KB3YRU, President of the group,
told AR Newsline that they want to provide "all things weather" for
those who are interested even if they don't have a license. He also
hopes that their Zoom meetings might also be a gathering place for
other SKYWARN leaders and volunteers, in order to share information
and ideas.

To learn more about the Southwest District SKYWARN team and meeting
times, you may contact Eddie at KB3YRU@arrl.net.

This is Randy Sly, W4XJ

**

FOR OLDER HAMS, A DIFFERENT KIND OF DXPEDITION

PAUL/ANCHOR: The South Pacific island nation of Vanuatu (VAN-Wah-TWO)
isn't exactly roughing it: there's a power grid, commercial air service,
homes to rent, and a population of more than 40,000 people. For a group
of adventurous amateurs with the average age of 70, that makes it a
great spot for a DXpedition. Kevin Trotman, N5PRE, tells us what they've
got planned.

KEVIN: Van Herridge, N4VGE, is a born traveler, and though he calls
South Carolina home, he is always looking for adventure beyond his QTH.
Now, he and a group of older amateurs will follow that roving spirit to
Vanuatu in the South Pacific. The group has planned a two-week DXpedition
in December of 2024, and it will include participation in that year's
ARRL 10-meter contest.

The men are bringing all their necessary equipment, and they're also
bringing their wives, because this DX has hotels, restaurants, beaches,
and other attractions to make it a family holiday too.

DXers already know that Vanuatu ranks 100th on the DXCC list of 340
countries. For this team, however, it ranks number one as a good spot
to aim for more than 50,000 QSOs using CW, SSB, RTTY, and FT8. They're
looking for four more radio operators, and inviting them to bring their
spouses to make it a great team. Van asks that interested DXpeditioners
contact him at vanherridge@gmail.com. That's herridge, spelled
h e r r i d g e.

Meanwhile, the team is also working on developing a website and seeking sponsors.

This is Kevin Trotman, N5PRE.

(VAN HERRIDGE, N4VGE)
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)

YOUTH ON THE AIR CAMP APPLICATION PERIOD OPENS

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Young amateur radio operators in North, Central and
South America are being invited to plan for a memorable time in Canada
this coming July: Applications are now open for the third Youth on the
Air camp, which is open to licensed radio amateurs between the ages of
15 and 25. The camp will be held on the campus of Carleton University in Ontario, Canada from July 16th through to July 21st.

The application process is free and allocations are being held for
campers from each of the three Americas to allow for attendance from
countries throughout IARU Region 2. For the best chances at being
chosen, prospective campers are being encouraged to apply by January
15th. The application process will however continue through to May 31st.

To apply - and to read details about making separate arrangements for transportation - visit YouthOnTheAir dot org (YouthOnTheAir.org)

(YOUTH ON THE AIR CAMP)

**

OFCOM EXTENDS EXPERIMENTAL ACCESS

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: The telecommunications regulator in the UK delivered
some good news to amateurs who enjoy experimenting on the air. Jeremy
Boot, G4NJH, tells us what they learned.

JEREMY: Amateurs who hold a Full licence in the UK will be eligible to
use the frequencies between 146 to 147MHz after receiving a Notice of Variation from Ofcom. In some restricted areas operational limitations
exist. The notice is available on a temporary basis only and is subject
to a 30-day notice period that it is being changed or withdrawn.

By making this part of the spectrum available, Ofcom is hoping to
encourage experimentation by radio amateurs, allowing them to experiment
with new technologies such as digital voice and data transmissions
having moderate bandwidth. Ofcom defines "moderate" as being up to 500
kHz wide.

The one-year Notice of Variation was first made to full licensees in
October 2014. The Radio Society of Great Britain said that it is pleased
that Ofcom has accepted its latest request to extend the agreement. NoV applications are made via the RSGB website at rsgb dot org slash nov (rsgb.org/nov)

This is Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

**

MUSEUM'S HAM STATION GETS ARDC GRANT

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: The Museum of Information Explosion in Huntsville,
Alabama, is getting a modernized amateur radio station that will feature digital technology to complement the more traditional gear being
showcased in the museum's other exhibits. The station is being
established with the help of a $16,000 grant from Amateur Radio Digital Communications and is designed to show how ham radio is surviving by
changing with the times. The museum is set to open early next year.
Various local ham radio clubs, including the Radio Club of the Museum of Information Explosion, will serve as docents for visitors and will also
go on the air from the station.

(ARDC)

**

OTTAWA OPERATOR ADDED TO HALL OF FAME

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: An amateur radio operator from Ottawa, Canada has just
been chosen for the Canadian Amateur Radio Hall of Fame. Dave Parks,
WB8ODF, tells us about him.

DAVE: The name of Bryan Rawlings, VE3QN, is being added to the roster of
those who have contributed to amateur radio consistently over the years
as both an advocate and a participant. First licensed in 1959 as VE2AME,
Bryan returned to active participation in Canadian amateur radio in 2002
after years of living overseas. Radio Amateurs of Canada cites his
consistent work in the preparation for and attendance at the
International Telecommunications Union's World Radio Conferences in
2012, 2015 and 2019. The RAC has credited him with being a key member of
the Canadian delegation at ITU meetings. The Hall of Fame chairman of
the board Frank Davis VO1HP, writes on the RAC website that Bryan's work
on the national and international levels involved helping hams gain
access to frequencies at both 60 meters and 630 meters. Frank
acknowledges Bryan's successes as well in establishing and maintaining
a good working relationship with Innovation Science and Economic
Development Canada, the nation's regulator.

Congratulations to Bryan.

This is Dave Parks, WB8ODF.

(WIA, RAC)
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)

ENGINEER NEEDED FOR FOR STATION WWVH

NEIL/ANCHOR: Listeners around the world tune in regularly to WWV and
WWVH, the radio station of the National Institute of Standards and
Technology, for various voice announcements, including the time. Now
the US government agency hopes qualified engineers will tune into an
important job opening it has - for a position based in Hawaii. Jack
Parker, W8ISH, tells us more.

JACK: Radio station WWVH, which is part of the National Institute of
Standards and Technology, is looking to hire an engineer in charge.
In addition to maintenance of the station on Kauai, Hawaii, the job
requires regular communication with NIST's Time and Frequency
division in Boulder, Colorado. The engineer is responsible for the
four radio transmission systems - on 2.5, 5, 10, and 15 MHz - which
are required to be on the air 99.7 percent of the time. One or two
electronic technicians will report to the engineer in charge.

For more details about the job and whether you qualify, visit the
link in the text version of this week's Newsline script at
arnewsline.org

This is Jack Parker, W8ISH.

[FOR PRINT ONLY: https://www.usajobs.gov/job/690931100 ]


**

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio
Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the
Midstate Hams WA9RDF repeater in Greenwood Indiana on Sundays at 7
p.m. local time.

**

NEW RECORD SET ON LOWEST HAM BAND IN AUSTRALIA

NEIL/ANCHOR: In Australia, a new record has been set for a contact
on the 2200m-band. John Williams, VK4JJW, has those details.

JOHN: Using barely 1 watt of power, a station south of Perth in
Western Australia made a record-setting one-way contact into North
America on the 2200-metre band, which at 136 kHz, is the lowest
amateur band in Australia. The contact was made on November 21st
between VK6MJM and received in the United States by Paul, KM5SW, in
New Mexico. The distance was 16,164 kilometres and the power was 0.8
watts EIRP. The station was using a five-minute key-down mode known
as WSJT-X FST4W-300 mode.

It was a big moment for the Western Australian Low Frequency
Experimenters Group, or WALFEG, which operates the station. It is
led by Peter Hall, VK6HP, and is affiliated with the Wireless
Institute of Australia.

This is John Williams, VK4JJW.

(WIA)

**

PROGRESS ON WORLD'S LARGEST RADIO TELESCOPE

NEIL/ANCHOR: The world's largest radio telescope is on track to be
completed by the end of this decade. Graham Kemp, VK4BB, has more on
its progress.

GRAHAM: Sites in Australia and South Africa have begun construction
on the Square Kilometre Array Observatory, or SKAO, and astronomers
are hoping to see the massive observatory's two antenna stations
finish construction by May 2023, with the first dish commissioned in
April of 2024 according to a report on the Space.com website.

When the huge project is completed, it will boast a full 1-square
kilometer collection area and it will be the world's largest radio
telescope. Construction began recently on the observatory's mid-
array in the Karoo desert of South Africa which will scan for
sources of radio waves from 350 MHz to 15.4 GHz. The low-array is
also under construction north of Perth in Western Australia. It will
use 131,072 dipoles seeking signals on frequencies between 50 and
350 MHz.

This is Graham Kemp, VK4BB.

(SPACE.COM)

**

AMATEUR-OWNED COMPANY BUILDING SATELLITE PLANT IN INDIA

NEIL/ANCHOR: In our previous newscast, we shared the triumph of the amateur-owned company that sent two of its made-in-India CubeSats
into space aboard an Indian Space Research Organisation rocket. The
company announced it is ready to join other enterprises in that
nation in taking the next step. Jim Meachen, ZL2BHF, tells us what's
next.

JIM: Not long after the launch of its Thybolt 1 and Thybolt 2
satellites, Dhruva Space, based in Hyderabad (Hydra-BOD), announced
it was moving forward to build a facility where it can assemble and
test satellites as large as 100 kg. Cofounder Abhay Egoor, the
company's chief technical officer, said Dhruva is already raising
funds toward that end. Dhruva joins another India-based space
company, Pixxel, which is building a satellite assembly facility in
Bengaluru. Pixxel expects that project to be completed during the
first half of next year. Other companies are gearing up as well: Bangalore-based Bellatrix Aerospace, which is building in Karnataka;
and Agnikul Cosmos in Madras, which is looking to develop testing
facilities in Chennai.

This is Jim Meachen, ZL2BHF.

(INVENTIVA, STARTUPSTORYMEDIA)
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)

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
of the Capital City Repeater Association in Madison, Wisconsin, on
Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m.

**

INDIAN AMATEURS PUT SANTA ON THE AIR

JIM/ANCHOR: Like the airwaves themselves, Santa is lighting up the sky in
all parts of the world. Give and receive the gift of holiday DX with
these two events. We hear first from John Williams, VK4JJW:

JOHN: From Bangalore, Delhi, Chennai and Kolkata, Parks on the Air India
and Oscar India are celebrating Christmas by putting Santa on the Air
through the 31st of December. The call sign AU2SOA, Santa on Air, can be
heard using SSB and CW on HF, operating a Digital SSTV broadcast and
looking for QSOs on Echolink. To make contacts on FT 8, be listening on
20, 15 and 10 meters. See QRZ.com for QSL details. QSOs will be confirmed
via eQSL.

On Christmas Day, December 25th, operators will be on various HF bands activating a park and will be spotting AU2SOA operators at www.parksontheair.com.

Finally, on the last two weekends of December, Parks on the Air India
will activate AU2SOA on 40, 20, 15 and 10 metres transmitting a SSTV broadcast. The photo you download will serve as your QSL card. The SSTV transmission can be decoded via the receiving programs RXSSTV and MMSSTV
and on Android phones via ROBOT36.

This is John Williams, VK4JJW.

(ARUNAVA DEY, VU3XRY)

**

OLD FATHER 9 CHRISTMAS TAKES TO THE SKIES

JIM/ANCHOR: The Radio Club of Pusula, OH9W, and Northern Radio Arcala,
OH8X, are activating the station they say belongs to the "genuine Santa
from Northern Finland, next to the North Pole." If you believe in Santa, you'll want to hear this report about Santa Radio from Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

JEREMY: Old Father Nine Christmas, OF9X, recently began activity on all amateur radio bands and all modes; CW, SSB and Digital. You can expect
Santa's work to continue this year until December 31st, at 21:59 UTC. According to the QRZ.com page for OF9X, this year's special theme will
focus on children in troubled areas of the world and will take the form
of a puzzle to be solved by letters the operators will be handing out to
their contacts. See the station's page on QRZ.com for details about how
to submit the puzzle results for an award. You can also see a list of
hams who have already contacted Santa and his elves.

This is Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

(QRZ.COM)

**

DODROPIN CONNECTS SANTA TO KIDS ON ECHOLINK

JIM/ANCHOR: The last story in our Santa roundup features a special correspondent with some news for our youngest listeners. He really needs
no introduction.

DON: Hello again boys and girls, it's the most wonderful time of the
year. It's time for the Santa Watch Net. That's right Santa is going to
be making his rounds and can you believe it? This is our 12th year in a
row and the little helpers at the DoDropIn will be keeping an eagle eye
on the radar. I'll look for you to join us on the Santa Watch Net
starting at 1800 hours Eastern Time. Well my little elf Dave, N3NTV, will
be keeping track of old Santa's location. And as always, Santa has a
radio in his sleigh -- and you know I just love chatting with the good
boys and girls. So be listening for N1S - that's Number 1 Santa. Gather
up the little ones and get them checked in because third party traffic is always on the "nice" list. Once again it's the Santa Watch Net, Christmas
Eve, 1800 hours Eastern on the DoDropIn Echolink conference server node
number 355800. Merry Christmas and 73 from me, Number 1 Santa, and all my little helpers at the DoDropIn.
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the W9BCC repeater
in Wausau, Wisconsin, on Sundays at 9 p.m. during the Rib Mountain
Repeater Association's Sunday Night Swapnet.

**

HONORING THOSE WHO INSPIRE OTHERS' DX ACHIEVEMENTS

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: A new program launched by an Ohio DX group honors those
who inspire others in their pursuit of DX. Andy Morrison, K9AWM, has those details.

ANDY: Achieving DXCC is an honor - but what about the hams who work so
hard behind the scenes helping other amateurs achieve that coveted status
of DXCC award-winner? The Southwest Ohio DX Association has launched a new program that recognizes the hams who help other radio operators achieve
their first 100 confirmed DX entities. The amateur receiving the
assistance must be under the age of 30. The DX association has
specifically designed the award this way to target those who help younger amateurs and ensure they continue to be encouraged and active in the hobby even after receiving their DXCC certificate.

The intent of targeting this audience helping younger amateurs is to
attract and retain those operators who are most likely to remain engaged
in the hobby after achieving DXCC. The DX Mentor Recognition Program has
the support of the Northern California DX Foundation and the International
DX Association. Both groups are providing representatives on the judging committee. The award will be presented at Dayton Hamvention in May at the Southwest Ohio DX Association dinner.

For more information about the DX Mentor Recognition Program or to
download an application, visit the website in the text version of this
week's newscast at arnewsline.org

[DO NOT READ: https://www.swodxa.org/DX-Mentor-Program/ ]

This is Andy Morrison, K9AWM.

(425 DX NEWS)

**

IDEAS NEEDED FOR RADIO'S ROLE MARKING KING'S CORONATION

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Hams in the UK are being asked to contribute their ideas
for radio's role in marking the King's coronation. Jeremy Boot, G4NJH,
tells us more.

JEREMY: Long before there was radio, the UK had its fire beacons,
torchlight relays that served as warnings of invasions in earlier
centuries. As the Radio Society of Great Britain makes its plans to help
mark the coronation of King Charles III and his Queen Consort next May,
the society hopes to give this ancient tradition a role as well.

A number of events will be organised for the occasion with an eye toward demonstrating amateur radio to the public. The society's Coronation Lead,
Alan Messenger, GØTLK, is looking for ideas about what shape the special events will take and most particularly how the fire beacons can be
included, as a way of honouring tradition. UK hams are being asked If they have suggestions for these events or any other thoughts, to contact Alan
at special dot projects at rsgb dot org dot uk (special.projects@rsgb.org.uk)

This is Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

(RSGB)

**

THE 2023 DX ULTRA-MARATHON HAS BEGUN

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: The marathon is on! Starting January 1st, 2023, if you're
a DXer, you can be in the running. Neil Rapp, WB9VPG, tells us how.

NEIL: Since it was founded in June 2018 the True Blue DXers Club has acknowledged that, long path or short path, there is no easy path to good DXing. Beyond having good equipment, DXing takes skills and patience. The
club continues to nurture its appreciation for DXing accomplished via CW
and SSB. It has announced its latest year-long operating event that begins
on January 1st. This is their 2023 DX Ultra-Marathon and it is encouraging
CW and sideband operation in as many DXCC entities and WAZ Zones as
possible. If you wish to be in the running during the 2023 marathon, you needn't join the club itself but you are required to register. The link
for registration can be found in this week's text version of our newscast
at arnewsline.org

then start making QSOs as early as January 1st, and begin uploading your
logs on January 15th.

The club's website notes that like any worthy marathon, this event
requires operators to push their limits, and make an investment in time
and in effort.

This is Neil Rapp, WB9VPG.

[ FOR PRINT ONLY: www.tbdxc.net/marathon ]

(425 DX NEWS, TRUE BLUE DXERS CLUB)
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)

NOMINATIONS NEEDED BY RADIO SOCIETY OF GREAT BRITAIN

PAUL/ANCHOR: With a new year, comes the change in leadership at the Radio Society of Great Britain. The nomination period continues this month, as
we hear from Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

JEREMY: Although the window has closed for nominations for board director
of the Radio Society of Great Britain, the nomination period continues
through to the end of January for other roles, such as regional representative, elected director and president. The current president,
Stewart Bryant, G3YSX, is completing his two-year term in April. There
are nine volunteer roles in all that need to be filled. Regional representatives are needed for England South-West and the Channel
Islands, England North-West, East Midlands, Northern Ireland, South
Wales. Details can be found on the Society's website at rsgb dot org
stroke election. (rsgb.org/election).

The Society will be holding its annual general meeting on April 15th and
the results of the election will be announced then.

Only members of the RSGB are able to nominate candidates.

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 KV3B repeater
in Rockville, Maryland, on Sundays after the net at 7:30 p.m. local time.

**

SPEAKERS NEEDED FOR QSO TODAY VIRTUAL EXPO

PAUL/ANCHOR: The next QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo takes place on March
24th through to the 26th, asking the question: "New Ham radio license,
now what?" Organizers are looking for speakers who can address this topic
in particular, whether the new license is at entry level, such as
Technician class here in the United States, or perhaps at a higher level
with more privileges.

Organizer Eric Guth, 4Z1UG, is asking amateurs with expertise in certain
areas of amateur radio to consider newcomers in particular and to offer presentations at the Expo this spring. There is a link to an online application form and additional details in the text version of this
week's newscast script at arnewsline.org.

[DO NOT READ: https://www.qsotodayhamexpo.com/speakercall.html ]

**

INNOVATIVE ANTENNA DEVELOPER GETS LIFETIME MEMBERSHIP

PAUL/ANCHOR: A celebrated antenna expert from West Bengal, India, has
just been granted yet another honor. We hear more about him from Graham
Kemp, VK4BB.

GRAHAM: Srikanta Pal, the scientist who was recently granted a patent for
the world's smallest antenna has been given an honorary life membership
in the West Bengal Radio Club. Born in West Bengal, he is a research
professor at Birla Institute of Technology in Kolkata.

He was presented with the honour on Wednesday, December 28th, by the
club's secretary, Ambarish Nag Biswas, VU2JFA, who told Newsline in a
text message that the professor has taken a keen interest in amateur
radio antennas. After learning more details about the kind of work the
club is involved in, he said that, as an honorary life member, he would
study some useful types of antennas that hams could use for emergency
response in disasters.

In 2009, the professor was credited with having helped solve satellite
signal interference problems at the Robert C. Byrd Green Bank telescope
at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory in West Virginia. Later, he assisted astronomers in solving interference issues at the Jodrell Bank
Radio Telescope site in the UK.

This is Graham Kemp, VK4BB.

(WBRC, BIRLA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY)
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)

ARDC HOLDING COMMUNITY MEETING ON JAN. 21

DON: Amateur Radio Digital Communications invites everyone to its next community meeting, which is being held on the Zoom platform on Saturday, January 21st. Attendees will meet the new advisory committee members, learn about grants given in 2022 and hear about the recently concluded 44Net Assessment. To attend, you must register. See the link in the text version
of this week's Newsline script for the registration link.

[DO NOT READ: www.ampr.org/community-meeting-registration/ ]

(ARDC)

**

INTERNATIONAL ATTENDANCE AT HAM RADIO UNIVERSITY

DON/ANCHOR: The popular annual event known as Ham Radio University returned this year as an online event and attracted international attendance. Paul Braun, WD9GCO, has the wrap-up on that.

PAUL: Saturday, January 7th, was a back-to-school day for more than 1,000 radio amateurs who signed up for a seat in the virtual classrooms of Ham
Radio University. The day of education and fellowship marked the third time this event has been held online since the first one was held on Long
Island, New York 23 years ago. The fact that it was held in a virtual space meant it could open its doors to visitors beyond the New York metropolitan area and welcome amateurs from Bulgaria, Germany, Lebanon, Greece, Thailand and Korea as well as many other nations.

Organizers said that in all, 1,662 hams registered and of those, 1,082 attended the free event, taking advantage of the various forums, which included Software Defined Radios, Parks on the Air, grounding in the ham
shack and the role of Raspberry Pi Computers in amateur radio.

Did you miss a forum or perhaps you weren't available to attend at all?
This year's presentations were recorded and will soon be available for
viewing on Ham Radio University's YouTube Channel. Meanwhile, the hard work has already begun on next year's event, which organizers hope will be available as a combination of virtual and in-person classes.

This is Paul Braun, WD9GCO.

(DIANE ORTIZ, K2DO, TOM CARRUBBA KA2D)

**

POTA REPORTS A ROBUST YEAR FOR 2022 ACTIVATORS

DON/ANCHOR: Parks on the Air administrators have spent the past few days tallying up activator totals for 2022. Matt Heere, N3NWV, is here to share
the final numbers.

MATT: Howdy, POTA Folks, I'm Matt, N3NWV, and this is the December 2022 monthly POTA update which is our 2022 year-end wrap-up so instead of
December statistics let's talk about how 2022 stacked up against 2021. In terms of total activations there were 141,477. That's 195 percent increase over the previous year. Seven thousand one hundred eighty-seven activators participated in these activations, which is 171 percent increase over 2021.

In total, 14818 parks were activated, a 134 percent increase over 2021.
These parks are spread out across 72 DXCC entities, a 147 percent increase over 2021.

And drum roll please; we logged over 6.26 million QSOs in 2022. That's a
220 percent increase, more than double what we logged in 2021.

And as you might expect with the maturity of the POTA program a lot of the growth is happening outside of the United States. In IARU Region 1 we had 5,940 activations. That's a 418 percent increase over 2021. Fantastic
numbers for Region 2 outside of the Continental US as well. Eleven
thousand six hundred thirty activations represents a 267 percent increase
over 2021.

Last, but by no means least, Region 3's 8,780 QSOs represents a 283 percent increase over 2021.

(POTA)

**

KING'S CORONATION INSPIRES OPERATOR AWARD IN BRITAIN

DON/ANCHOR: Amateur radio operators in the UK have become very involved in planning for the coronation of the next king. Jeremy Boot, G4NJH, tells us about one award group that has launched an event that continues right
through to the end of the year.

JEREMY: The Coronation of King Charles III in Westminster Abbey in May has inspired the Worked All Britain awards group to create a year-long event honoring the new monarch of the United Kingdom and her Commonwealth realms. The King Charles III Coronation Award is open to any amateur radio operator who is able to log contacts within the various geographical squares inside
the UK throughout 2023. Hams may operate on all licenced frequencies and modes, to qualify. According to the group's website, the initial
certificate will be awarded for 10 points. There are endorsements for each
10 after that. Finally, each multiple of 100 points earns the operator a
new certificate and a trophy.

Details about the scoring methods are available on the website at the
address that appears in the text version of this week's newscast at arnewsline.org

This is Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

[DO NOT READ: http://wab.intermip.net/Coronation%20Award.php ]

(WORKED ALL BRITAIN)
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)

WEST BENGAL HAMS ENSURE PILGRIMS' SAFETY

JIM/ANCHOR: A massive religious pilgrimage in India has just
concluded, and as always the safety of the thousands attending was
assured with the help of amateur radio as we hear from Jim
Meachen, ZL2BHF.

JIM: A record number of pilgrims turned out this year for the
largest religious gathering in India, the Gangasagar Mela, and the
West Bengal Radio Club was there as always to assist with public
safety, communications and coordination for individuals who fell
ill, and needed airlifting from the island to area hospitals. More
than a dozen people were reported missing at the massive gathering
and the hams assisted in reuniting them with their families on the
island. Officials told the Hindu newspaper that they had the
support of about 42 amateur radio operators.

The mela began on the 5th of January and ended on the 17th.

While they were there, the hams were also able to make contacts as
part of Islands on the Air from the island, which is in the Bay of
Bengal and has the designation of AS-153. They used the callsign
AT2WBRC.

This is Jim Meachen, ZL2BHF.

(AMBARISH NAG BISWAS, VU2JFA, THE HINDU)

***

BBC FEATURES THE LEADING VOICES OF CW EDUCATORS

JIM/ANCHOR: In the UK, broadcast radio isn't about to start getting
rid of its voice programming and replacing it with CW but this month,
the BBC embraced the mode gladly. Twice, in fact. Jeremy Boot, G4NJH,
tells us about it.

JEREMY: The BBC has run programming before that examined Morse Code
as a form of communication but this month the broadcaster revisited
the subject with one ham from the United States who is a leading CW
educator. On the afternoon current affairs programme, PM on BBC Radio
4, Howard Bernstein, WB2UZE, cofounder of the Long Island CW Club,
spoke with presenter Evan Davis about the mode's growing popularity
in the United States and people's efforts to learn it. The LICW has
membership around the world availing themselves of the club's free
instruction.

Meanwhile, the voice of CW enthusiast Mervyn Foster, G4KLE, can be
heard on BBC Three Counties Radio. Mervyn, a volunteer at the
National Radio Centre, appeared on the breakfast programme of Andy
Collins on the 13th of January. A lifelong fan of CW, Mervyn told
Andy about its resurgence in the UK and its usefulness even
outside amateur radio.

To hear either or both of these interview, visit the links that
appear in the text version of this week's newscast at
arnewsline.org

I'm Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

[Howard interview: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001h638 ]

[Mervyn interview: https://tinyurl.com/h9ny9dsp ]

**

RADIO RELAY INTERNATIONAL EXPANDS ITS REACH

JIM/ANCHOR: Puerto Rico just got another safety net to protect the
island when disaster strikes, as we hear from Christian Cudnik,
K0STH.

CHRISTIAN: The global ham radio emergency-response network known
as Radio Relay International has expanded to provide crisis
communications in Puerto Rico. RRI announced that the expansion of
its Digital Traffic Network infrastructure into the island comes
after a year of working with volunteers there to upgrade emergency preparedness through training courses. The area digital coordinators
for RRI have also been giving the volunteers one-on-one assistance
and technical support.

RRI's Digital Traffic Network is a modified hybrid mesh network
that uses primarily HF but is also involved in creating VHF and
UHF gateways for local support. The system has the advantage of
universal interoperability between voice and CW and digital
platforms. RRI handles traffic as radiograms in voice, CW and
digital modes via the Digital Traffic Station function. Message
traffic can also be routed between Winlink and RRI's own system.

James Wades, WB8SIW, RRI's emergency management director, credited
Victor Rivera, WP4QZH, and Emmanuel Cruz, NP4D, for their work in
Puerto Rico, along with numerous other team members. Puerto Rico
becomes part of a larger service of RRI's Digital Traffic Network
connections that also include Asia, Oceania and Europe.

This is Christian Cudnik, K0STH.

(JAMES WADES, WB8SIW)

**

YOUTH DX ADVENTURE GROUP RETURNING TO CURACAO

JIM/ANCHOR: Is there a trip to Cura‡ao in the future for a young
hopeful DX adventurer you may know? If so, you will want to hear
this report from Andy Morrison, K9AWM.

ANDY: The Dave Kalter Memorial Youth DX Adventure group is
returning to Cura‡ao this year, and is inviting young amateurs to
be part of the operation. The application period has opened. The
trip will take place between July 13th and 18th with the goal of
forming a DX team of amateurs between the ages of 12 and 17.

This year, the timing of the trip has an added bonus: Because this
year's DX adventure overlaps somewhat with the Youth on the Air
Camp taking place in Canada in July, the young hams in Cura‡ao can
expect to have some scheduled contacts with the YOTA campers as
well. The PJ2T site in Cura‡ao will once again be the QTH for the
Caribbean activation. According to the Youth DX Adventure website,
the team is applying to once again use the call sign PJ2Y

Application forms can be downloaded from the website that appears
in this week's text version of Newsline.

This is Andy Morrison, K9AWM.

[DO NOT READ: qsl.net/n6jrl ]

[JIM STORMS, AB8YK]
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)

AMSAT NEEDS NEW MANAGER FOR GRIDMASTER HEAT MAP

NEIL/ANCHOR: Are you a satellite enthusiast hoping to go for the big prize with your contacts? There's an opening at AMSAT for a capable volunteer who can help with an important tool for chasers. Sel Embee, KB3TZD, tells us what's involved.

SEL: AMSAT's Gridmaster Heat Map has served as an invaluable guide to grid- chasers using satellites, for those activating hams who need to be aware of which grids are in greatest need. AMSAT says in a recent weekly service bulletin that the map may be going away unless a replacement manager can be found.

Paul Overn, KE0PBR, will be stepping down after three years at the helm of
the project in which he tracked grid rarity based on crowdsourced data from hams who updated him. Paul's Twitter feed, atgridmasterheat
(@GridMasterHeat) displays a color-coded map of grid rarities ranging from green - the most common - to red, for rare.

The map plays an especially important role in the pursuit of AMSAT's prestigious GridMaster Award. This honor is conferred on any amateur around the world who works all 488 Maidenhead grid squares in the 48 contiguous United States via satellite and has those contacts confirmed in writing.

AMSAT is looking for a volunteer to assume Paul's post. The candidate should be capable of collecting crowdsourced data and transferring it to a spreadsheet or some other format and providing updates every week to
satellite users.

For details visit www.amsat.org

This is Sel Embee, KB3TZD.

(SEAN KUTZKO, KX9X)

**

VINTAGE RADIO MUSEUM REOPENING IN IRELAND

NEIL/ANCHOR: A beloved museum for fans of antique radio and gear is finally reopening its doors in Dublin. We have more details from Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

JEREMY: The doors are reopening at Ye Olde Hurdy Gurdy Museum, a vintage collection of radios and radio-related items housed in a Martello Tower near Dublin, Ireland. On the weekend of January 14th, the first visitors were
able to step inside after the museum had been closed for two months for renovation work. Though the initial opening provided some limited access
while the remainder of the work was completed, full access was expected to
be available after January 21st.

The well-loved museum was opened by Pat Herbert in 2003 and the radio aficionado brought much of his collection to its displays. The museum continues to have the support of his family and friends following Pat's
death in 2020 at the age of 83

The museum is the home of amateur radio station EI0MAR, which is operated by the Howth Martello Radio Group. There is more history to this museum than
just the collection it holds: In the mid-19th century, the tower itself
housed the first telegraphy station connecting Great Britain and Ireland.
Lee de Forest, the pioneering radio scientist from the US, visited the tower in 1903 to conduct experiments in wireless telegraphy.

This is Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

(WIA, FACEBOOK, QRZ)

**

WORLD OF DX

In the world of DX, there's good news for Bouvet Island Dxpedition 3Y0J
(Three Why Zero Jay) watchers: Despite earlier reports to the contrary, team members are operating /mm from the ship as they make their way to the
island. Be listening for them using their home calls plus /mm using CW and SSB. Team co-leader Ken LA7GIA said the group has a dipole with capability
of 17m and 20m.

Juan, LU8DBS, is on the air in his spare time as LU1ZV at Esperanza Base, Antarctica, IOTA number AN-016. Listen for him on 40, 20 and 10 metres where he is using SSB through to the end of January. In February, he will be
adding CW and digital modes. Send QSLs direct to LU4DXU.

Be listening for Robson, PY6TV, who will be using CW and SSB with the
callsign PT6D from Ilha da Mare, IOTA Number SA-023 from the 2nd to the 5th
of February. QSL direct to his home call and see his QRZ.com page for PayPal details. Robson will upload his log to Club Log.

Adam, VK2YK, Chris, VK5FR, Ivan, VK5HS, and a team of other VK hams, will be using the callsign VK5TIL from Troubridge Island, IOTA number OC-139, on the 7th, 8th and 9th of February. They will operate CW, SSB and digital modes on various bands. QSL via M0OXO's OQRS, LoTW and eQSL.

Be listening for John, W5JON, who will be on the air as V47JA from St.
Kitts, IOTA number NA-104, from the 31st of January to the 15th of February. He will be using SSB and FT8 on the HF bands and 6 metres. QSL via LoTW, or direct to W5JON.

(425 DX Bulletin)
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)

FREE MAGAZINE FOR IRISH HAMS MARKS ITS 2ND YEAR

PAUL/ANCHOR: Two years after its launch as a free resource for Irish
amateurs, an online magazine is still going strong. Jeremy Boot, G4NJH,
tells us about it.

JEREMY: The only free monthly amateur radio e-magazine in Ireland is
preparing to mark its second year of publication. The Connacht Regional
News Magazine is seen as the voice of ham radio experimenters, innovators
and homebrew-builders. It has gained a following in Europe, the United
States and a number of Pacific nations. The latest edition features a worldwide news roundup as well as articles about various antennas, the 5
MHz band and awards from the National Radio Society of Ireland.

A number of clubs have also written updates on their activities, from fundraising walks to annual general meetings.

The editor, Steve Wright, EI5DD, told Newsline that the goal from the
start has been to promote radio activities by various clubs and societies
from both sides of the border in Ireland. The independent publication
also reports on the Irish Radio Transmitter Society and the NRSI, the two national societies in Ireland.

Steve told Newsline that the magazine is distributed free and is easy to access from the QRZ.com page of EIØCL or EI5DD. It also appears on the
Galway VHF Group Blog and on the magazine's own Facebook page.

Best of all, over the last two years, the magazine has grown from a six-
page publication in its earliest days to a full 30-page offering.

This is Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

(STEVE WRIGHT, EI5DD)

**

HAMS PLAN SYMPOSIUM FOR OPERATING IN MARITIME CANADA

PAUL/ANCHOR: Get ready for a special symposium that focuses on the needs
of amateurs in maritime Canada. Andy Morrison, K9AWM, helps us take a
look at what's in store.

ANDY: Planning is getting underway for organizers of this year's
Symposium for Maritime Amateur Radio Technology, which is being hosted by
the WestCumb Amateur Radio Club in Nova Scotia on May 6th. Ham clubs throughout Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and elsewhere
play an active role in this annual event, which features a series of one-
hour classes throughout the day and a variety of social gatherings.

This is the sixth annual event and its focus is on the technical and procedural aspects of ham radio as it relates to operating in the
maritime region. John VE1CWJ, will present a class on amateur radio use
of satellites; Gordon, VE9GC, will discuss remote station operation; and Bill, VE1YY, Glenn, VE9GJ, and Jason, VE1PYE, will talk about making successful contacts on the 630m band. There will also be classes on the
use of the WINLINK radio messaging system and WSPR, or Weak Signal
Propagation Reporter.

Additional details about the event, known as SMART23, can be found on the website that appears in this week's text version of the newscast at arnewsline.org

[FOR PRINT ONLY, DO NOT READ: westcumb.ca/smart23 ]

This is Andy Morrison, K9AWM.

(JOHN VE1CWJ)

**

VANUATU DXPEDITION SHIFTS DATE TO OCTOBER 2024

PAUL/ANCHOR: If you want to work a DXpedition that isn't quite so remote
as Bouvet Island, this story from John Williams, VK4JJW, might interest
you.

JOHN: DX chasers who have their calendars marked for the Vanuatu
DXpedition in December 2024 need to turn their calendar pages back by two months. The eight-member team has announced they will instead be heading
to the South Pacific island for their two-week activation in October of
2024. The operators are hoping to capitalize on the springtime
propagation in the Southern Hemisphere and plan to participate in the CQ
WW DX Phone Contest.

The activation site will be on the island of Efate, which is the most populated in the nation's archipelago. Efate boasts a robust tourism
industry. Spouses and partners will be accompanying the team members,
whose average age is 70. The operators have said they expect to log more
than 40,000 QSOs.

Vanuatu is 1,500 miles from Sydney, Australia and 3,000 miles from
Honolulu, Hawaii.

This is John Williams, VK4JJW.

(DX-WORLD.NET)
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)

SOUTH AFRICA PLANS A SOTA CELEBRATION

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Hams in South Africa who activate summits throughout that country are planning to celebration 20 years of those activations. Jim Meachen, ZL2BHF, tells us what they have in mind.

JIM: Activators of Summits On the Air in South Africa are marking 20 years
in the programme by urging all participants to either hunt or activate a summit on the 18th of February. Activators will be posting their proposed times on the WhatsApp group and Facebook page of ZS-SOTA. South Africa
became part of SOTA on January 1st, 2003 when the first two summits were activated by Andrew Roos, then using the callsign ZS1AN. On that day,
Andrew, now callsign ZS5U, operated CW from Lion's Head, SOTA number ZS/WC-058, and MacLear's Beacon, SOTA number ZS/WC-043.

All hams who participate in the 20th anniversary activity will receive a commemorative certificate.

This is Jim Meachen, ZL2BHF.

(SARL)

**

DEADLINE SET FOR YOTA SUMMER CAMP IN HUNGARY

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Young amateurs hoping to spend part of their summer in
Hungary at YOTA camp have until the end of the month to apply, as we hear
from Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

JEREMY: Young amateurs who live in IARU Region 1 have until the 28trh of February to apply for Youth on the Air summer camp. The camp will take
place from the 5th to the 12th of August in northwest Hungary, near the
border with Austria and Slovakia. Organisers are advising prospective
campers to get in touch with their local IARU youth coordinator to learn
how to apply. There are spots open for 100 campers. Guest teams will be
able to attend from Regions 2 and 3. One of the main goals of the camp is
to train young amateurs to arrange for youth activities in their home countries and get other young people interested in amateur radio.

This year is the 11th edition of the camp and it is being operated with the help of the Hungarian Amateur Radio Society, MRASZ. The IARU Youth Working Group works closely with youth coordinators to arrange for the camp to be held. Previous years' camps have been hosted by Bulgaria, Croatia and South Africa.

Anyone who has questions may write to the organisers at youth at iaru
hyphen r1 dot org. (youth@iaru-r1.org).

This is Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

(YOUNGSTERS ON THE AIR, IARU REGION 1)

**

HAMS HELP LOST MAN RETURN TO FAMILY IN INDIA

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Hams in India who specialize in helping lost family members get back home recently assisted with just such a reunion. Here's Graham
Kemp, VK4BB, with that report.

GRAHAM: In India, a man with hearing and speech impairments and a history
of wandering from home when under stress was reunited with his family with
the help of amateur radio operators. The involvement of amateur radio operators from Kolkata ended a long search by the family of the 58-year-old man, who turned up at the religious pilgrimage known as the Gangasagar Mela last month. The mela was held about 100 km south of Kolkata, which is headquarters to the West Bengal Radio Club whose hams assist every year to ensure safety and communications at the pilgrimage. The hams noticed the
man was in distress but because of his challenges, they could not
communicate successfully with him.

According to local media, he turned out to be from Khammam in the Indian
state of Telangana. Members of the club receive special training in helping communicate with individuals who may be unable to speak or in cases where there is a language barrier. The club's secretary, Ambarish Nag Biswas, VU2JFA, said that the man's responses to certain photographs helped them determine the region where he resides. By late January, the mystery was solved. The man, who had been moved to living quarters at a local mission,
was successfully identified and his family was contacted by the police. Ambarish Nag Biswas was able to then communicate with the man with the help
of Ram Mohan Suri, VU2MYH, director of the National Institute of Amateur Radio, who can speak the man's language, Telugu. Arrangements were made for his son to retrieve him and return him home.

Dibas Mondal, VU3ZII, assisted in his transfer back to his family with the help of the police.

This is Graham Kemp, VK4BB.

(TELANGANA TODAY, TIMES OF INDIA)
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)

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.

**

CW/AM EVENT CELEBRATES VINTAGE GEAR

PAUL/ANCHOR: If the evolution of radio gear interests you - and if you
own and operate some of the earliest rigs - you might want to plan for a
big operating event next month. Kevin Trotman, N5PRE, tells us what's involved.

KEVIN: Age matters. It's even worth points if you're a ham taking part in
the John Rollins Memorial CW/AM DX event in March. The event is organized
by the Antique Wireless Association and you don't have to be a member to participate. If you are using a transmitter and receiver manufactured
before 1970, you can score big points. Likewise, any homebrew gear using
tubes that were available before 1970 is also in the running.

The activity takes place on 80, 40, and 20 meters, on Wednesday, March
1st, and Thursday, March 2nd, and again on Saturday, March 4th, and
Sunday, March 5th. Power is limited to 100 watts for CW and 100 watts
carrier level for AM.

For details on scoring, visit the association website at the link
provided in the text version of this week's newscast script at
arnewsline.org

The event is named for association member John Rollins, W1FPZ, who was a well-known home-brewer of radio equipment. John became a Silent Key in
March of 2008.

This is Kevin Trotman, N5PRE.

DO NOT READ:

https://www.antiquewireless.org/homepage/event-details-for-rollins-dx-event/

**

FCC CREATES ROOM FOR 16 NEW FM RADIO STATIONS

PAUL/ANCHOR: The FCC has made room for 16 new broadcast stations on FM
and expects there will be competition for the spots on the spectrum.
Here's that report from Kent Peterson, KC0DGY.

KENT: There could be a handful of new FM radio stations on the air in
small rural communities from Minnesota and Missouri to Texas and Vermont:
the FCC has opened up 16 FM allotments in areas eligible for a new
service. The FM table is updated by the FCC after its staff engineers determine that the vacant allotments comply with the agency's minimum
distance separation requirements and city-grade coverage requirements.

The areas that are eligible for a new FM service include Grand Portage, Minnesota; Bunker, Missouri; Junction and Sonora in Texas; and Barton, Vermont.

The FCC says all new FM commercial allotments are subject to an auction process, and competing applications may be filed once the commission
decides it is ready to accept applications.

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

This is Kent Peterson, KC0DGY.

(FCC, RADIOWORLD)

**

HOTEL BOOKINGS BEGIN FOR WRTC IN BOLOGNA

PAUL/ANCHOR: A major world radio event, postponed from last year,
suddenly got more real with the start of hotel bookings. John Williams, VK4JJW, tells us about it.

JOHN: Competitors and referees received the earliest access to hotel
bookings for the World Radiosport Team Championship which is to be held
this July in Bologna, Italy. The online booking system opened on February
1st. The next round of reservations began on February 7th for visitors
and others. According to details on the WRTC Reflector message list
hotels throughout the surrounding area will be providing support for competitors, referees, judges, sponsors and the contest committee.

To see details about the WRTC and who its competitors are, visit wrtc2022
dot it (wrtc2022.it)

The World Radiosport Team Championship is held every four years in a
different host country. This year's event is a postponement from last
year when health concerns during the pandemic caused it to be called off. Two-member teams whose members have qualified for the event will arrive
from every continent to compete in this 24-hour nonstop competition,
which is often referred to as the Olympics of amateur radio.

This is John Williams, VK4JJW.

(WRTC REFLECTOR)
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)

FIRST-TIME PARTNERSHIP FOR WORLD AMATEUR RADIO DAY

NEIL/ANCHOR: The theme of World Amateur Radio Day this year is a
recognition of the vital role ham radio has played in a number of world crises. John Williams, VK4JJW, tells us what's planned.

JOHN: In an unprecedented partnership, the International Amateur Radio
Union is being joined by the United Nations Trust Fund for Human Security
and the World Academy of Art and Science to mark World Amateur Radio Day
on the 18th of April. The organisations have declared the theme of the
day to be Human Security for All, or HS4A.

The theme arises out of the partners' shared belief that hams have a
unique means to fulfill the United Nations' mission of providing human security for individuals around the world. The campaign the partnering
groups have launched together honours ham radio's proven track record in responding to natural disasters, the pandemic, climate change and even
armed conflicts - the many things that undermine individual security
without regard to national boundaries. This important concept was
declared a priority by the United Nations in 1994.

Ham radio gains its advantage as a responder by providing technical
knowledge, practical skills and backup systems that provide a security
net in times of crisis.

The IARU, which has membership societies in more than 150 nations around
the world, made the announcement on its webpage for Region 1. A two-week
event will be held on the air from April 11th through to the 25th
highlighting the HS4A campaign for World Amateur Radio Day.

This is John Williams, VK4JJW.

(IARU REGION 1)

**

PARKS ON THE AIR INTRODUCES 48-HOUR CONTEST

NEIL/ANCHOR: Operating portable in the park just gained a little more of
a competitive edge. Dave Parks, WB8ODF, explains.

DAVE: A new activity being introduced this June by the Parks on the Air organizers is going to be different from the casual portable outdoor
operating experience activators and hunters enjoy. This is a contest. For
48 hours, hams will collect contacts and points as part of the new Parks
on the Air Plaque Event, which is intended to become an annual
competition. In a YouTube interview with Kevin Thomas W1DED, POTA
president Jason Johnston, W3AAX, explained the different categories
available to both hunters and activators and explained that anyone who
made their first POTA contact after June 2, 2022, is eligible for the additional category of rookie. Participants must be registered with POTA
and can use CW, SSB and the digital modes. Hams will not be permitted to
use the WARC bands.

As for multipliers, there are none. This keeps the playing field level so
that everything - even multiple reference areas - will be worth a single point.

This is Dave Parks, WB8ODF.

NEIL/ANCHOR: The contest will be held on HF, VHF, UHF and SHF. For a look
at the rules and other details for the event, see the link in the text
version of this week's Newsline report at arnewsline.org

[FOR PRINT ONLY:

https://docs.pota.app/docs/award_events/plaque_event/plaque_event.html ]

**

LONGTIME 40M NET IN INDIA AVAILABLE AS LIVE STREAM

NEIL/ANCHOR: One of the oldest nets held among radio amateurs in India
has begun a live stream. Jim Meachen, ZL2BHF, has those details.

JIM: The origins of the Belgaum Hambel Net predate the internet by
several decades, when a group of young shortwave enthusiasts in the city
of Belgaum would get together to study for their ASOC examination in the physics lab of a local college where Pal, VU2PAL, was a professor. By
1973, the group - now licensed hams - had grown. In 1973 they formed the Hambel Amateur Radio Club. By 1988, the hams had agreed to have regularly scheduled QSOs with one another on 7.052.5 MHz - and little by little the on-air circle of friends grew to include those living outside the
immediate area. The net was formally launched by Professor Pal in
November 1989. He moved it to 7.050 MHz and gave it a name - the Hambel Belgaum Net. He was also its first and most active net control. According
to the club's website, by the time he became a Silent Key in 2016, he had logged tens of thousands of QSOs via the net alone.

The group's well-established 40-metre net tradition continues today from
7 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. Indian Standard Time, but the world has recently
begun listening in. The net now uses YouTube to livestream its check-ins,
with net controllers Bebu, VU2PNU, Omprakash, VU2KOC, Joshi, VU2BRJ, and Yaseen, VU3PMY.

You can listen too. See the link to one of the more recent nets in the
text version of this week's script at arnewsline.org

This is Jim Meachen, ZL2BHF.

[FOR PRINT, DO NOT READ: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRw9qluW9WY ]

(HAMBEL NET WEBSITE, YOUTUBE)
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)

DAMAGE TOPPLES VITAL NEBRASKA COMMUNICATIONS TOWER

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: A communications tower serving fire and emergency services
in Nebraska was found toppled and destroyed in Nebraska, the apparent
result of having had one of its guy wire anchors damaged. According to a report on the website ruralradio.com, the tower suffered structural
failure and toppled, causing an estimated $575,000 in damage to the tower
and its equipment. The local sheriff's office, fire and EMS service,
Verizon wireless and the school district were among those making use of
the tower. Cellphone service was re-established on a temporary tower and
the emergency service and fire channels were moved to another location.
The Nebraska State Patrol's forensic evidence team is studying the
evidence at its crime lab and has contacted the FBI which may pursue the
case as an act of domestic terrorism.

(RURALRADIO.COM)

**

'ROVER' CATEGORY ADDED TO VIRGINIA QSO PARTY

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: A new category is being added to the Virginia QSO Party,
which kicks off later this month. Sel Embee, KB3T Zed Dee, tells us what's behind this decision.

SEL: This year's Virginia QSO Party includes a bit of an experiment. Organizers are adding a new category - "Rover" - which raises the number
of categories for non-fixed stations to three. The inclusion of the rover category, which now joins "mobile" and "expedition," is being done to accommodate hams who, for various reasons, cannot be included in the other classes of mobile operator. That may mean they make use of commercial
power, retractable antenna masts or non-mobile support structures. Rover operators must still identify with their callsign followed by /M. Rovers
are permitted to make contacts while moving or stationary. A non-operating driver is required for rover and mobile operators who plan to be on the
air while the vehicle is in motion.

The QSO Party is being organized by the Sterling Park Amateur Radio Club
and will be held on March 18th and 19th.

This is Sel Embee, KB3TZD.

(QRZ.COM)

**

CB RADIO MARKET GROWS FOR FM MODE

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: The shape of CB radios is changing: An increasing number
of them are now capable of FM, as we hear from Jack Parker, W8ISH.

JACK: Little more than 18 months after the FCC approved the use of FM for Citizens Band on 27 MHz, manufacturers have responded to the demand for
the mode. Companies now in the market include President Electronics USA, Uniden, RadioOddity, QYT and Cobra. It was Cobra's original petition that pushed the need to the forefront of the agency, with support from the
other companies. When the FCC granted the request in July 2021, the move
was called the biggest change for Citizens Band since the expansion of CB channels from 23 to 40 in 1977.

FM is now used on the CB radio spectrum from 26.965 MHz to 27.405 MHz, enabling a higher-quality audio for radio users who do not need the
distance capabilities offered by radios with the SSB mode.

This is Jack Parker, W8ISH.

(RADIO WORLD, CCJDIGITAL.COM, FCC)

**

WORLD OF DX

In the World of DX, Jim WB2REM, John K4LT, and Bob KE2D are using the call sign HD8M, from Santa Cruz in the Galapagos Islands, IOTA SA-004, until
the 11th of March. They are using CW, SSB and FT8 in fox-hound mode on
160-6 metres. QSL via Club Log's OQRS, or direct to WB2REM; They will
upload to LoTW after six months.

From Norfolk Island, IOTA number OC-005, listen for Tom, VK3FTOM, who is joining the VK9NT team that will be on the air there from the 17th to the
31st of March. Tom will also be using his own personal callsign, VK9TOM, starting on or around the 13th of March for "some QRP operating" while on
the island.

Luca, HB9OBD is active holiday style as D44KIT from Sal Island, IOTA
number AF-086, Cape Verde until the 5th of April. Listen for him on SSB
and FT8 on 40, 20, 15 and 10 metres. QSL via LoTW, eQSL, or via EB7DX.

Hiro, JF1OCQ, is in the Comoro Islands, IOTA number AF-007, where he is on
the air as D67AA until the 22nd of March. He is using CW, SSB, and the
digital modes on 160 - 10 metres. QSL via LoTW or direct to his home call.
He will upload his log to Club Log and other platforms.

(DX-WORLD.NET)
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)

UK NATIONAL HAMFEST CANCELLED FOR 2023

PAUL/ANCHOR: The UK National Hamfest, the well-known rally previously
held annually at the Newark Showground in the UK, has been cancelled.
Jeremy Boot, G4NJH has the details.

JEREMY: Organisers of the 2023 UK National Hamfest have announced that
the rally, which was to have taken place in October in Peterborough, has
been called off by the venue. A statement on the hamfest website said
that at such short notice, organisers cannot find a replacement venue or
a new date. Directors considered a July event back at the Newark venue
but ultimately it was decided that there were too many obstacles for the attendees, traders, and to financial benefits.

The directors wrote: [quote] "We can assure you, we haven't made this
decision lightly." [endquote] They committed to what they called "a
bigger and better event" in September 2024 at the Newark Showground.

This is Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

(UK NATIONAL HAMFEST)

**

PROMINENT AMATEUR'S BOOK EXPLORES RADIO'S POTENTIAL

PAUL/ANCHOR: A longtime leader in amateur radio in India has just
completed a book that examines the untapped promises that ham radio holds
for the future. We hear more about him and his book from Graham Kemp,
VK4BB.

GRAHAM: World Science Day was also book launch day for S. Suri, VU2MY,
the founder of the National Institute of Amateur Radio in Hyderabad,
India.

Ham enthusiasts, engineers and Indian communications officials arrived at
the NIAR campus for the author's introduction of his book, "The Untapped Potential of Amateur Radio."

Suri told those in attendance that his book underscores the vital role
amateur radio plays in disaster response. He said he hoped that by
writing the book he was also making it clear that ham radio is relevant
in other areas of society. He said he favoured its increased inclusion as
a tool by universities, law enforcement and the armed forces and he urged policymakers to rethink radio's role. According to a book blurb on
amazon.in, the book also traces amateur radio's growth from an activity
among experimenters to its emergence as a resource in a number of nations.

This is Graham Kemp, VK4BB.

(TELANGANA TODAY, AMAZON.IN)

**

HAMS IN AUSTRALIA PREP FOR 'ANTENNAPALOOZA'

PAUL/ANCHOR: In Victoria, Australia, the annual event known as
Antennapalooza isn't just about antennas. Jason Daniels VK2LAW,
explains.

JASON: Station efficiency is the theme of this year's Antennapalooza
event in Victoria, Australia and the organisers are looking for
presenters. The range of topics can encompass the best ways to make your antenna efficient or cover a broader subject area, such as recommended
ways to set up your shack. Presentations will take place on Saturday,
April 15th or Sunday, April 16th. If you have a proposal to submit, send
it to Ian Jackson VK3BUF at sparky at dcsi dot net dot au. (sparky@dcsi.net.au)

In keeping with the theme of the three-day camping weekend, presentations should focus more on practical application and less on theory. Talks will
be held in the Pavilion at Drouin West, about 100 kilometers east of
Melbourne. This free popular outdoor event, now in its eighth year, is
a gathering of various area clubs to learn, socialize, and get on the air,
and of course, try out some new antennas.

This is Jason Daniels, VK2LAW.

(ANTENNAPALOOZA WEBSITE)

**

BROADCASTER SHUTS LONGWAVE RADIO TRANSMITTER IN ICELAND

PAUL/ANCHOR: A longwave radio transmitter in Iceland has been shut down
and demolished, as Iceland phases out that form of broadcast. Jeremy
Boot, G4NJH, brings us that story.

JEREMY: A team of police stood nearby to oversee safety concerns as a
longwave transmitter in East Iceland was switched off and demolished.

Destruction of the mast, standing 218 metres, Iceland's third tallest structure, took place in late February, the result of a decline in the
number of listeners to longwave radio broadcasts. The transmitter had
been operated on 207 kHz by the Icelandic broadcaster RUV, which is now
giving priority to FM. Another RUV transmitter will continue operating
for a little longer in West Iceland on 189 kHz. This is Iceland's tallest structure at 412 metres. There are plans also for that transmitter to
close, once FM broadcasts replace all of its functions.

The impetus for the change is being driven in part by Iceland's Civil
Defence and other organisations looking to improve emergency notification capabilities. That role is going to be transferred to FM, which is slowly being upgraded throughout Iceland.

This is Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

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

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the K2JJI repeater
of the Tryon Amateur Radio Club, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary
this year, in upstate New York. Newsline is heard Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m.
before the ARES/RACES net, and on Echolink node 845553, with a live audio
feed on Broadcastify under K2JJI.

**

A VIRTUAL VISIT TO BOUVET ISLAND

NEIL/ANCHOR: The Northern Illinois DX Association hosted the first presentation by a Three Y Zero Jay team member on what it was like to
live on, and activate Bouvet Island. DXpeditioner Adrian, KO8SCA,
provided a one-hour talk, complete with dramatic photographs, on the
Zoom platform earlier this month. He described the team's 10-day effort
to maintain a delicate balance of food and fuel supplies as they
scheduled precious time to operate on the air - at first using CW and
SSB and later FT8. They also kept an eye on storm systems. As Adrian
told his viewers [quote] "Mother Nature is never doing things in your
favor." [endquote] The DXpedition left the island on February 14th,
after making more than 19,000 QSOs.

Whether you worked Bouvet Island or not, you can still view Adrian's talk
which is now available to everyone on YouTube on the Northern Illinois DX Association channel. You can also find a link to it through the Northern Illinois DX Association website at nidxa dot org (nidxa.org).

(YOUTUBE, AMATEUR RADIO WEEKLY)

**

FOR YOUNG ACTIVATOR IN AUSTRALIA, A PEAK AT GLORY

NEIL/ANCHOR: A very young amateur in Australia has completed a summit activation that he's likely never to forget. Graham Kemp, VK4BB, shares
his victory with us.

GRAHAM: First-time summit activator Emile, VK5WWW, has now earned one
point in the SOTA awards scheme for each year of his life: The 10-year-old Australian amateur successfully activated Mount Wellington in Tasmania
with an HT, and a lot of hope on Tuesday, March 21st, shortly before 9:30
am local time.

The summit is 1,270-metres, or 4,167 feet, high.

Operating at VK5WWW/7, he logged six contacts in the Hobart area on 2m. One-half hour later, it was a done deal. Emile's first solo act was a
success.

His proud father, John, VK5HAA, who is also an activator, reported his
son's SOTA success on the Australian SOTA activators' groups.io email
list.

Congratulations on reaching new heights, Emile. Good on ya!

This is Graham Kemp, VK4BB.

(GROUPS.IO)

**

WORLD OF DX

In the World of DX, the Sable Island DXpedition CY0S is under way in Nova Scotia, Canada until the 30th of March and will include 2M EME operation. Operators will also use the HF bands plus 6 metres. Modes will include CW,
SSB and FT8 in fox-hound mode. Contacts also count for Parks on the Air,
for Park VE-0210, the ARLHS Lighthouse Award, for Lighthouse SAB-002, and
IOTA for Island Number NA-063. QSL via WA4DAN.

Listen for Miguel, CT1EBM, who is using the callsign CN2EBM from the 26th
of March to the 9th of April during a 5,000-kilometre tour through Morocco.
He is using SSB and FT8 on the HF bands. He will be operating via the
QO-100 satellite on SSB. For details, see QRZ.com.

Philippe FK4QX, Yves FK4RD and Michel FK8IK are using the callsign TX5L
from Lifou Island, IOTA Number OC-033, in New Caledonia from the 27th
through to the 31st of March. They are operating CW and SSB on 40-10 metres, QSL via F4FTV.

Pista, HA5AO, will be on the air as 5X2I, on the shores of Lake Victoria
in Uganda from the 24th of April to the 10th of May. He will operate CW,
SSB, and FT8, in fox/hound mode on 40-10 metres. QSL request to OQRS, or
send your card direct or via the bureau to HA5AO. The complete log will
be uploaded to LoTW six months after the expedition.

Be listening for Janusz, SP9FIH, who is operating as E51WEG and for Leszek, SP6CIK, operating as E51CIK from Rarotonga, IOTA number OC-013, in the
South Cook Islands. They will be there from the 13th to the 28th of April, operating CW, SSB, RTTY and FT8 on 40-10 metres. QSL via Club Log's OQRS.

(425 DX BULLETIN)
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline,
heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the W4HPL repeater
in Cookeville, Tennessee, on Tuesdays at 8:30 p.m. local time.

**

COME TO OUR TOWN HALL FORUM AT HAMVENTION

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: If you're heading to Hamvention in Xenia, Ohio, here's something to put on your calendar for that weekend: The Amateur Radio
Newsline Town Hall Forum is back. This popular and lively 90-minute
session was discontinued after the death of Newsline co-founder Bill
Pasternak, WA6ITF, in 2015. It returns on Friday, May 19th, from 11:30
a.m. to 1 p.m. local time with Mark Smith, N6MTS, cohost of the Ham
Radio Workbench podcast, who will discuss the proposed Open Headset
Interface Standard; Riley Hollingsworth, K4ZDH, former FCC amateur
radio enforcement director, who oversees the ARRL's Volunteer Monitor
Program. We will also be hosting IARU president Timothy Ellam, VE6SH,
who will give an overview of issues the IARU is reviewing that affect
hams worldwide. See you there!

**

TEMPORARY UK CALLSIGN PREFIX OK'D FOR CORONATION

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Hams in the UK have already planned a variety of events
to mark the King's coronation in May. They've just received approval for
yet another way to mark the occasion. Jeremy Boot, G4NJH, has those
details.

JEREMY: Ofcom has approved the use of the letter "R": as a regional
secondary locator prefix for callsigns used during the Coronation of
the King and the Queen Consort. Hams will need to apply for a Notice
of Variation, known as an NoV, and can do so through the Radio Society
of Great Britain website. Use of this special prefix is approved for
use during May and June. To apply, hams must provide their callsign,
and their email address, as well as the number of their amateur radio
licence. The application form is available at rsgb dot org. The
Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla will take place at
Westminster Abbey on Saturday the 6th of May.

(RSGB)

**

IN PURSUIT OF STOATS AND QSOS ON SECRETARY ISLAND

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: New Zealand's Secretary Island is traditionally a haven
for native wildlife, especially birds, and is prized for having a
splendid ecosystem. One amateur radio operator recently combined his
work as a conservationist there with his pursuit of QSOs. Jim Meachen,
ZL2BHF, tells us of his adventures.

JIM M: For five days, Matt Briggs, ZL4NVW, was both the hunter, and the
hunted. He spent five days on Secretary Island, helping the Department
of Conservation trap stoats, predators that made it across the sound to
invade this pristine island ecosystem. But Secretary also carries the
island designation of ZLI/SL-253, (Pronounced: Zed Ell Eye Slash Ess Ell
253) in the ZL-On-The-Air_scheme, so not all of the gear Matt carried
was used for trapping these carnivorous mammals. He was looking to catch
some QSOs -- and he did, on several SOTA summits. He started with SOTA
summit ZL3/FL-728, known as The Hub and went on to hut, Mount Grono Biv, designated ZLH/SL-142. He wrote on the SOTA Reflector that his first day
on the island was a productive one: He brought in 10 SOTA contacts and -
oh yes - four stoats.

It was a good beginning.

Later, he was to tackle SOTA summit Mount Grono, ZL3/FL-616. In between checking the stoat traps, he made good contacts from this, 4-point summit, which is the island's highest. Despite some weather challenges, his good fortune continued right up to the final day on the island.

Matt didn't just leave with a log; he has pictures too. You can share his experience virtually by going to the SOTA Reflector. The link appears in
the text version of this week's script at arnewsline.org

This is Jim Meachen, ZL2BHF.

[FOR PRINT, DO NOT READ:

https://reflector.sota.org.uk/t/secretary-island-conservation-and-radio- do-mix/31910 ]

(above URL all on one line)

(SOTA REFLECTOR)
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)

AUTISM AWARENESS EVENT GOES GLOBAL

PAUL: Special events are becoming more and more popular in our hobby.
Often they’re organized by a club or group that is tied to a specific
event or place. But in the case of one ham, James Gallo, KB2FMH, he
simply found a cause that was important and created a global event to celebrate it.

GALLO: I do a lot of special events, because I find them interesting. So
we found Autism Awareness and I thought, "That's an interesting subject.
A lot of people in our hobby have a position somewhere on the autistic spectrum in some way or another, and I know that from talking to people
over the years. So we decided to make a special event for that."

PAUL: Gallo started to plan the event, and then his girlfriend came up
with a great idea:

GALLO: "And then as I'm putting it together, my girlfriend, who's my muse
in radio business, said, ''Why don't you invite other operators - you'll
get a bunch of operators from around the country.'' And then I thought,
"Well, it's considered 'World Autism Awareness Day', so let me reach out
to a few friends globally that I've met over the years, and see if
they're interested." And it started to grow.

PAUL: And grow it did. The event was a big success, and drew in a large
number of participants:

GALLO: "I think we had 80-something volunteers across 26 states and 24 countries."

PAUL: Gallo is planning on running the event again next year, so keep an
eye out for an announcement if you wish to participate or even just
chase. It's all for a good cause.

This is Paul Braun, WD9GCO.

**

RSGB SEEKS TECHNICAL EDITOR FOR RADCOM MAGAZINE

DON/ANCHOR: The Radio Society of Great Britain is looking to hire a new technical editor, as we hear from Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

JEREMY: RadCom, the magazine of the Radio Society of Great Britain, is
saying goodbye to Matthew Smith, M0VWS, who is leaving his role as
technical editor. The team is looking for a new technical editor with a
strong background in electronics and the technical side of amateur radio.
The ideal candidate should also be capable of writing and editing
articles and working with authors from whom articles have been
commissioned. The technical editor will also read and edit copy from contributors and columnists and assist volunteers with the RSGB Technical Forum. This is a salaried staff position.

For a full description of other responsibilities visit rsgb.org/careers.

Although there is an opportunity to occasionally work from home, the
technical editor will be based at RSGB's headquarters which is near
Bedford. For queries or to submit a CV, contact the managing editor
Edward O'Neill at edward.oneill@rsgb.org.uk.

This is Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

(RSGB)

**

MARYLAND SCIENTIST HONORED FOR EMERGENCY PREP WORK

DON/ANCHOR: A scientist and radio amateur in Howard County, Maryland, has
been recognized for his many hours of helping others prepare for
disaster. Sel Embee, KB3TZD, tells us more about him.

SEL: Congratulations to Dan Wilt, WB6FLL, who has been named Emergency Management Volunteer of the Year from officials in Howard County,
Maryland. Dan leads the Howard County Radio Amateur Civil Emergency
Service and is a member of the Columbia Amateur Radio Association.

Dan is a device physicist at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory
in Laurel, Maryland. According to a press release on the webpage of Johns Hopkins lab, Wilt spent more than 150 volunteer hours supporting RACES
events and activities last year at public service events and during
snowstorms and hurricanes. He has also assisted RACES in the creation of guides to help fellow operators during emergencies so communication can
become easier for first responders. As a member of the Columbia Amateur
Radio Association, K3CUJ, he has coordinated exercises to help prepare
his fellow club members for future incidents.

During the awards ceremony, Mike Hinson, director of the county's Office
of Emergency Management, praised Dan for [quote] "a willingness to help
others learn and a desire to serve whenever and however possible."
[endquote]

This is Sel Embee, KB3TZD.

(JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY, PATCH.COM)
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)

MILLING ABOUT ON THE AIR FOR A SPECIAL RADIO EVENT

JIM/ANCHOR: In Australia and in the UK, hams will be milling about -
literally - for this outdoor special event. We learn the details from John Williams, VK4JJW.

JOHN: There's more to mills than wheat, corn or flour. Some mills can
produce QSOs. Well, at least that's going to be the case in Australia
during the Mills on the Air radio event being held in conjunction with the Mills on the Air taking place at the same time in the UK. That would be
the 13th and 14th of May. Hams are on the air activating the mills and
also hoping to score points at the same time for SOTA, POTA and World Wide Flora and Fauna. The Bendigo Amateur Radio and Electronics Club is proud
to be the first to get things started in 2017 with the activation of
Andersons Mill in Smeaton, Victoria - but now mill activation are grinding along quite nicely throughout Australia.

They will be joining more than 300 windmills and watermills being
activated throughout the UK to celebrate its industrial heritage. If you
wish to receive a certificate from the Denby Dale Amateur Radio Society,
which organises the event in the UK, be sure to register there at the link
in the text version of this week's newscast at arnewsline.org

[DO NOT READ: www.ddars.net/register.html ]

This is John Williams, VK4JJW.

(DDARS.NET, MILLS ON THE AIR)

**

CELLPHONE USERS LOG DIRECT CONTACT VIA SATELLITE

JIM/ANCHOR: A space-based cellular phone network that relies on satellites instead of towers may not be so far off as you think. Kent Peterson,
KC0DGY, has that story.

KENT: Imagine being able to have a cellphone signal delivered directly to
your mobile device from space instead of from a cell tower. Two smartphone users reported recently that they had just that experience. A call between
a phone user in Texas, and another in Japan was reportedly routed through
a low Earth orbit satellite manufactured by AST SpaceMobile. These were standard, unmodified smartphones: a Samsung Galaxy S22 in Texas and an
iPhone in Japan. The BlueWalker3 satellite that made the call possible is powerful enough to pick up cellphone signals from over 1,000 miles away
thanks to an array of 100,000 individual antenna elements on board.

Smartphones and satellites typically do not share the same part of the spectrum for direct communication, leaving phones to rely on local cell
towers instead. According to an article in The Verge, AST SpaceMobile was
able to adapt its network architecture so it was similar to 3rd Generation Partnership Project, or 3GPP, standard that cell networks use.

Some smartphones are already capable of message-based satellite routing solutions in emergencies but a full-service call with a voice connection
like this is said to be breaking new ground. The article said there will
be further testing.

This is Kent Peterson, KC0DGY.

(THE VERGE)

**

UK HAMS MARK ANNIVERSARY OF 'DAM BUSTERS RAID'

JIM/ANCHOR: Hams in the UK are marking the 80th anniversary of the famous World War II "Dam Busters Raid," and Jeremy Boot ,G4NJH, tells us what's involved.

JEREMY: The Royal Air Force sent a squadron of bombers into the night to complete a mission known as Operation Chastise, but better known as the
Dam Busters Raid. Its targets, in the heart of industrial Nazi Germany’s Ruhr Valley, were three dams for destruction, but which were heavily
protected from any underwater or air assault.

The successful mission, which set off on the 16th of May in 1943, is being commemorated from the 14th to 16th of May this year by the Stockport Radio Society with the callsign GB0DBA.

Stockport is an industrial town in Greater Manchester, a region with
strong ties to the mission that employed the now-famous "bouncing bombs."
The planes, modified to carry the bombs, were manufactured at Chadderton
and assembled at Woodford. The aircrew trained over the Derwent Reservoir.

Manchester University has a building dedicated to Barnes Wallis, the
creator of the bouncing bomb -- and to Wing Commander Guy Gibson, who was later proposed as a candidate for the UK Parliament.

Listen on the HF bands, with a focus on 20 and 40 metres, for operators
using SSB, CW and RTTY. There will also be radio activity on VHF using FM, C4FM and FT8 on 2 metres, and SSB and CW using the QO-100 satellite.

Please visit the QRZ.com page of GB0DBA for QSL details.

This is Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

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

TRY NEWSLINE'S HAIKU CHALLENGE

JIM/ANCHOR: What's almost as good as perfect propagation? How about....a
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.

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.

**

CALIFORNIA AMATEUR FACES $24,000 FINE

JIM/ANCHOR: A California amateur is facing a $24,000 fine from the FCC,
which has charged him with deliberate interference with a regularly
scheduled 80 meter net, held by the Western Amateur Radio Friendship Association. Philip J. Beaudet, N6PJB, is said to have repeatedly
interfered with the net, and failed to identify himself by his callsign.
They released a Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture on May 30th, outlining the case against him. The agency said that last November and December, an agent from the San Francisco Field Office used direction
finding on 3.908 MHz, and on both occasions, was able to identify the
ham's Burney, California, home as the source of the interference cited
in repeated complaints to the agency.

The notice states that Beaudet has 30 days to respond, either with payment,
or a written statement seeking a reduction or cancellation of the proposed forfeiture.

(FCC, RADIO WORLD)

**

BELGIAN HAMS GAINING 8M BAND ACCESS

JIM/ANCHOR: Some new space on the spectrum awaits amateurs in Belgium,
and Jeremy Boot, G4NJH, has that story.

JEREMY: Hams in Belgium will soon be enjoying the privileges enjoyed
by those in South Africa, Slovenia, and Ireland, by gaining access to
the 8-metre band. The UBA, the Royal Belgian Amateur Radio Union, has
proposed giving hams with a Class A operating certificate, a HAREC full licence, the ability to get on the air with as much as 5 watts ERP, and
a bandwidth limit of 3 kHz. Permission is to be granted to individuals following approval from the Belgian regulator BIPT.

The frequency range being authorised is between 40.660 and 40.690 MHz.

This is Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

(AMATEUR RADIO DAILY)

**

HOSPITALIZED CHILDREN HAVE ARISS QSO WITH SPACE STATION

JIM/ANCHOR: Hospitalized children outside Washington, D.C., were given
a chance to talk with an ISS astronaut recently on amateur radio.
Patrick Clark, K8TAC, tells us how things went.

PATRICK: Having fulfilled the first part of his space mission a few
days earlier - to arrive on board the ISS - astronaut John Shoffner,
KO4MJC, got under way with one of his next goals: to share the joys
and opportunities of STEM studies as an educator. On May 26th, he
shared that view from space through a QSO with youngsters at the
Children's Inn in Bethesda, Maryland. It was a telebridge contact that
made use of a ground station in Belgium with the callsign ON4ISS. The youngsters at the Children's Inn learned about life in space, and got
a closer look too, at the way amateur radio can connect people. The
Children's Inn provides a free residential environment to children and
young adults who are patients at the National Institutes of Health as a
means of reducing stress on the young patients, and furthering the
institutes' clinical research. With the help of ARISS and amateur radio,
the youngsters also got a view of the great things that can happen beyond
the bounds of planet Earth.

This is Patrick Clark, K8TAC.

(ARISS, FACEBOOK)

**

NEW SITE CONSOLIDATES HAM CLUBS' NEWS

JIM/ANCHOR: We were saddened some time ago by the passing of Richard,
G4TUT, whose Southgate Amateur Radio News website served as a reliable
global bulletin board for many, including amateur radio podcast teams.
This badly missed resource is now being revived, and provided by Cale,
K4HCK, through his new "Amateur Radio Daily" website. Once the domain
name is transferred from Southgatearc, its URL will also route you there.
This is a new resource available for hams and clubs looking to get word
out about their activities. So, if you want other hams to see what your
club is up to, visit Amateur Radio Daily at daily.hamweekly.com or simply
send the story directly to Cale via email to K4HCK (at) hamweekly (dot)
com. Cale's new website will display the submitted stories, and provide
an RSS feed to receive daily updates automatically as they arrive, and
are posted.

(CALE, K4HCK)
--- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the K3PSG repeater
in Butler, Pennsylvania, at 2 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Tuesdays.

**

DIGITAL LIBRARY OF HAM RADIO EXPANDS COLLECTION

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: The numbers just keep growing into the tens of thousands
in the Internet Archive's Digital Library of Amateur Radio And
Communications. Jack Parker, W8ISH, gives us those details.

JACK: It's a virtual bookshelf of radio that seems to go on into infinity:
The addition of new documents from the Anchorage Amateur Radio Club in
Alaska, the Worldwide TV-FM DX Association, the Irish Radio Transmitters Society and the Pikes Peak Radio Amateur Association in Colorado has
expanded a digital collection of shortwave and amateur radio history to
more than 75,000 items. This is the work-in-progress known as the DLARC
Radio Library. The library also contains more than two dozen episodes of
the RAIN Report that were believed to have been lost. Yes, you will also
find archived newscasts from Amateur Radio Newsline.

Program manager of special collections Kay Savetz, K6KJN, said the most
recent additions include recorded presentations and talks, including those from the MicroHams Digital Conference and the Radio Amateur Training
Planning and Activities Committee, known as RATPAC. The library is
especially pleased to have added episodes of International Radio Report
dating back 23 years. The collection also features Continent of Media,
which focuses on the range of media throughout the American Continent.

Many amateur clubs' newsletters which were never posted online before are
now available and are full text-searchable and available for download. The library, which was created with a grant from Amateur Radio Digital Communications, is always looking for new material to add to the
collection. See the link in the text version of this week's newscast at arnewsline.org

This is Jack Parker, W8ISH.

(KAY SAVETZ, K6KJN)

[DO NOT READ: https://archive.org/details/dlarc ]

**

NEW HAM RADIO MUSEUM OPENS IN OHIO

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Congratulations to Ohio's new amateur radio museum. It's
the Waller-McMunn Museum in Cambridge that has opened to visitors in a restored radio station building after years of work by volunteers
assembling the collection of ham radio gear and related items. The museum
is the pride of the Cambridge Amateur Radio Association, W8VP. The name of
the museum honors Homer McMunn who built the first radio receiver in
Cambridge in 1912; it also pays tribute to his brother-in-law, Roy Waller
who is credited with being the first to copy signals from a US Navy
station operating in Arlington, Virginia that year. The two men were known
as experimenters who built receivers and transmitters and operated a
wireless station in town. Their enthusiasm eventually led to the creation
of the Wireless Association of Cambridge.

(THE DAILY JEFFERSONIAN, GYPSY ROAD TRIP.COM)

**

RESEARCHERS CREATE THINNER, DENSER COMPUTER CHIPS

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Researchers in the United States have created thinner,
denser computer chips with big possibilities. We learn more from Kent Peterson, KC0DGY.

KENT: Denser and more powerful computer chips may soon be possible thanks
to findings in a laboratory at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Researchers there have developed a means of working with 2D materials so slender that they are no more than three atoms thick. By layering them
atop a fully fabricated silicon chip, they are able to create a denser integration.

According to the MIT news website, this low-temperature growth and
fabrication technology does not result in damage to the chip. Damage was a major concern during previous attempts to achieve this integration atop a silicon CMOS wafer because the process customarily requires temperatures
of 600 degrees Celsius. Temperatures above 400 degrees Celsius could cause
the transisitors and circuits to break down.

The news website also reported that this technology reduces the growth and integration process on an 8-inch wafer from more than a day to less than
an hour. A shortened growth time is seen by researchers as particularly attractive for industrial fabrications because of its efficiency.

Researchers also said they want to explore use of this process for such flexible surfaces as textiles, polymers or papers, raising the prospect of integrating semiconductors into clothing, paper notebooks and other
everyday items.

This is Kent Peterson, KC0DGY.

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

NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR AMSAT BOARD OF DIRECTORS

DON/ANCHOR: If you're active in AMSAT, and know someone who shows promise
in the organization's leadership, consider nominating them for a spot on
the board of directors. Four incumbent seats will soon expire and voting
will be held in the third quarter of this year. Terms are for two years.

As many as two alternate directors may be chosen to serve one-year terms.

For nominations to be considered, they must be in writing and should be submitted by either one member society or five individual members who are
in good standing. The nominee's name, callsign and contact information
should be provided along with the same information for those individuals submitting the candidate. Email nominations are acceptable when sent to jdavis@amsat.org - otherwise postal mail may be used. Send to Jeff Davis, KE9VPO, Post Office Box 11, Yorktown, Indiana 47396.

The nomination deadline is the end of the day on June 15th. The four incumbents leaving behind vacancies are Jerry Buxton, N0JY (En Zero Jay
Why), Joseph Armbruster, KJ4JIO, Robert Bankston, KE4AL, and Zach
Metzinger, N0ZGO (En Zero Zed Gee Oh).

(AMSAT NEWS)

**

KEEP LISTENING FOR CORONATION STATIONS

DON/ANCHOR: If you're still feeling festive after the coronation of King Charles and Queen Camilla, Jeremy Boot, G4NJH, offers some ways to keep celebrating.

JEREMY: Coronation weekend has come and gone in the UK, but the Radio
Society of Great Britain believes in keeping a good moment alive. Special event callsigns are still on the air through to the end of June.
Individual radio amateurs and clubs are eligible to use the GB23C
callsign which was used first by the Cray Valley Radio Society which
activated it in Greenwich. Information on how to obtain and use the call
on the RSGB website.

Hams are also being encouraged to use one of hundreds of callsigns Ofcom
is making available to celebrate the historic fire beacon network
throughout the UK. Callsigns such as GB23BIR was activated by the Furness Amateur Radio Society and according to RSGB district representative
Martyn, M0TEB, it was quite popular as a contact.

Visit rsgb.org/coronation for other details and to find out more about
getting a Coronation QSL card or one of three RSGB Coronation awards.

This is Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

(RSGB)

**

AUSTRALIAN HAMS OFFER A QSO WITH A 'VAMPIRE'

DON/ANCHOR: Ever have a QSO with a vampire? It's not so hard as you might think. Richard, VK2SKY, brings us this story about an Australian warship
that makes it possible.

RICHARD: G'day, Amateur Radio Newsline listeners, this is Richard,
VK2SKY, in Sydney, Australia, with a little vampire story for you. Yes, I know, Halloween is months away, but I think you'll like this story
anyway.

A team of amateurs, led by Colin VK2JCC, has set up shop in the radio
room aboard HMAS Vampire. "HMAS" stands for His Majesty's Australian
Ship, and the Vampire is located at the Australian National Maritime
Museum here in Sydney. The radio room is part of the museum, and thus
open for visitors to learn about the importance of radio communications,
both in wartime and in peace.

The Vampire team has been active for a few weeks now, using the callsign Victor Kilo Two Victor Mike Papa (VMP - Vampire, get it?). If you've
never worked a warship before, now is a great time to start!

So far, eight amateurs are on the roster to keep Vampire on the air,
using CW and Sideband on 20 and 40 metres, and the station is now a
permanent fixture on the ship.

But wait, there's more! Over the weekend of the 3rd and 4th June, the
Vampire will be active for 24 hours for a special event, Museum Ships on
the Air. You’ll find the station on or near 14.250 MHz. Vampire will join many other ships around the world for this fun event.

So, listen out for Victor Kilo Two Victor Mike Papa on board HMAS Vampire
in Sydney, Australia. And check out the VK2VMP page on qrz.com. Hope to
catch you on the air!

(AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM, MANLY WARRINGAH RADIO SOCIETY)

**

NOMINATE OUR NEXT 'YOUNG HAM OF THE YEAR'

DON/ANCHOR: We remind our listeners that you still have an opportunity to nominate a promising young radio amateur - but time runs out at the end
of this month. Young hams who live in the continental United States have
an opportunity to make news of their own in the world, 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. Think of an amateur radio operator 18 years of age or younger -- someone who has
talent, promise and a commitment to the spirit of ham radio. This is your chance to help honor and acknowledge that person who will, no doubt, go
on to teach and inspire others. Find the nomination form on our website arnewsline.org under the "AWARDS" tab. Nominations close on May 31st.
--- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the KJ3LR repeater
in Bradenton, Florida, on Fridays at 10 p.m.

**

SILENT KEY: CONTESTER, DXER, BERNHARD "BEN" BUETTNER, DL6RAI

NEIL/ANCHOR: An antenna accident has claimed the life of another ham - a well-known DXer and contester. We have those details from Jeremy Boot,
G4NJH.

JEREMY: A noted DXer, contester and CW enthusiast from Germany has become
a Silent Key. Bernhard Buettner, DL6RAI, who was known to everyone as Ben,
was killed following an accident while doing antenna work at his QTH in
Aruba. Writing about his friend's death, Martin DL5RMH, said that they
were working together to prepare to change one of the antenna masts when
the mast Ben was tending to buckled unexpectedly and Ben fell to the
ground. He could not be revived despite immediate first aid and the work
of an ambulance rescue crew.

Ben's own account of his ham radio life reflects a long and enduring love
for active radio operation around the world. He fell in love with CW as a shortwave listener in 1978 after decoding a message he copied from a local ham. He worked to gain proficiency in Morse and by March of 1980, the 16- year-old radio enthusiast passed his license test, qualifying at 12 words
per minute.

An avid traveler, he operated from at least 45 countries around the globe
and became a serious contester using CW, RTTY and the digital modes.
Between 2002 and 2005, he was the WAE DX contest manager for the DARC.
From 2007 to 2019 he was president of the prestigious Bavarian Contest
Club.

He purchased the QTH in Aruba in 2014 from another ham and was operating
from there intermittently as P4/DL6RAI or P44X. His widow, Luise, is also
an amateur, with the callsign DL2MLU.

This is Jeremy, Boot G4NJH.

NEIL/ANCHOR: Newsline takes this opportunity to remind listeners to please follow safety precautions always when doing antenna work, or any other
radio activity, that presents a potential hazard such as this.

(SOTA REFLECTOR, QRZ.COM)

**

MASSACHUSETTS HAMS STEP UP FOR 'RELAY FOR LIFE'

NEIL/ANCHOR: In one Massachusetts community, amateur radio is helping
shine a brighter spotlight on a public event for cancer-awareness. We have those details from Andy Morrison, K9AWM.

ANDY: While participants in the annual Relay for Life take thousands of
steps around a college athletics track during a two-day fundraiser for
cancer research, the Mohawk Amateur Radio Club will be taking steps too:
These Massachusetts amateurs will be on the air as the two-day event steps
off on Friday, June 9th, at 6 p.m. local time. They will be on the campus
of the Mount Wachusett Community College, reaching out globally over the airwaves to raise awareness of the lifesaving work of the American Cancer Society.

The hams will be on 20 and 40 meters during the day and will switch to 80 meters at night.

As in the past, many of those answering the call of station N1WW are
likely to have cancer survival stories of their own -- and some of the operators, such as Jack Burgoyne, W1PFZ, will be sharing theirs.

Jack, and club president Kevin Erickson, N1ERS, spoke to the Gardner News website recently about the event and the club's history of providing
support to it.

With a big turnout of spectators expected as individuals and teams in the relay make their rounds on the track, the ham club will also be raising
its own profile. Kevin said the club hopes people will take a moment to
visit the club trailer and check out the radios that are carrying that important message around the world.

This is Andy Morrison, K9AWM.

(AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY, THE GARDNER NEWS)

**

QRP DAY COMES TO IARU REGION 3

NEIL/ANCHOR: The power of QRP isn't always measured in watts or even milliwatts. Jim Meachen, ZL2BHF, explains.

JIM M: It started as a long-ago suggestion from the New Zealand
Association of Radio Transmitters, which suggested to IARU Region 3 in
1997 that QRP operation be given its day in the sun - literally. Since
then, Region 3 societies have helped advance involvement in such QRP activities as QRP field days, QRP contests, instructions for QRP kit-
building and publication of articles about QRP operating. That's all
about to get even more intense on June 17th, which will once again be
QRP Day throughout IARU Region 3.

Writing to IARU member societies' directors and liaison officers, Yuki
JH1NBN, Region 3 secretary, encouraged promotion of QRP operation, particularly when it is highlighted on that day. He wrote in his letter
that QRP [quote] "offers advantages concerning, among others, the
reduction of QRM on the amateur bands." [endquote]

The day promises a powerful outcome.

This is Jim Meachen, ZL2BHF.

(IARU REGION 3)
--- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)

NETS OF NOTE: THE HOUSTON AMSAT NET

PAUL/ANCHOR: A devoted group of satellite enthusiasts in Houston, Texas,
has something to celebrate. Their weekly 2-meter net, has surpassed the
1500 mark. Neil Rapp, WB9VPG, tells us more about the group.

NEIL: On the Houston AMSAT Net, talk usually centers around satellites
and balloons but soon migrates to other topics. It's a long-running conversation that dates back to before the 1990s. In recent years the net
has gained even more participants by being carried on Echolink on the
AMSAT Conference Node. It is also available as a livestream while the net
is in progress at amsatnet.com. There is also a link to nets recorded
during the previous four weeks. You have even more ways to listen than
that: the net is available as a podcast on popular services such as Apple Podcast and on 1860 kHz AM.

The AMSAT News Service recently recognized the group for having held its 1,506th net. Keep the conversation going!

This is Neil Rapp, WB9VPG.

(AMSAT NEWS SERVICE)

**

BOOK REVIEW: "THE CW WAY OF LIFE," BY CHRIS RUTKOWSKI, NW6V

PAUL/ANCHOR: Sometimes, the only thing that comes close to being on the
air is ... reading about being on the air. Here's one of our occasional
book reviews -- it's from Randy Sly, W4XJ, and it's all about CW.

RANDY: Whatever your level of CW proficiency, Chris Rutkowski, NW6V has something for you. Chris recently released a great book about Morse Code called "The CW Way of Life." He provides 232 pages full of meaningful and entertaining content that is well written. With each page, all I could
think about was that familiar phrase, "and there's more!"

Chris first takes us through the basics of CW and operating with a
straight key...and there’s more! He talks about how we approach process
and understand Morse Code. Do you want to explore a unique approach to strengthening your copy skills, try his chapter on Code Talking...and
there's more! He gives us a special way to notate code, some drills, and
a whole section on Morse Code lingo, including standard exchanges,
protocols, and operating etiquette...and still there's more! Finally, he
leads us through advanced key training, looking at bugs, paddles and the
rest.

Available through Amazon, this is a great book for hams or non-hams
interested in the original digital. I give it a 5 9 9.

This is Randy Sly, W4XJ.

**

HAMS WORLDWIDE MARK WORLD AMATEUR RADIO DAY

PAUL/ANCHOR: This year's World Amateur Radio Day celebrated the 98th anniversary of the founding of the International Amateur Radio Union,
using the theme Human Security for all. Around the world, hams in every nation marked the day in their own way. John Williams, VK4JJW, tells us
more.

JOHN: For hams in South Africa, World Amateur Radio Day - officially the
18th of April - turned into a month-long celebration. Amateurs in the
South African Radio League activated the special event callsign ZS9WARD
from the first day of April and will continue to do so until the last. In Canada, the theme was "Get on the Air on World Amateur Radio Day" and
Radio Amateurs of Canada's official stations operated from one coast to
the other with numerous callsigns such as VA2RAC, VE4RAC, VO1RAC, and
VY1RAC.

The IARU webpage acknowledged the participation of stations around the
world on the big day itself. Hams in Denmark used the callsign 5PØWARD,
in the United States the calls were NU1AW, W1W, W4A, K4A, and N4A, Belgium
had OT23WARD and Slovenia had S50ARD.

In India, the celebration took on an added level of meaning as one ham,
Hari, VU3UCR, announced that on World Amateur Radio Day he accomplished
the first-time activation of Bandipur National Park in Karnataka for
Parks on the Air India. He announced on Facebook this also makes him the
third person in India to activate a national park in POTA, an awards
scheme that is still new and growing in popularity in that nation.

This is John Williams, VK4JJW.

(FACEBOOK, IARU, SOUTH AFRICAN RADIO LEAGUE)

**

NOMINATE NEXT 'YOUNG HAM OF THE YEAR'

PAUL/ANCHOR: There is only a month left 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)

TRY NEWSLINE'S HAIKU CHALLENGE

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Whether you find sunspots to inspire you or whether Morse
Code lifts your spirits, you might enjoy trying your hand at a 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.

**

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 2-meter repeater on Sunday nights at 9 p.m., as part of the club's weekly Information Net.

**

HAM RADIO CELEBRATES THE LEWIS & CLARK TRAIL

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: If you've always wanted to combine amateur radio with a journey on a trail, but you're not the outdoorsy type, here's your
chance. Patrick Clark, K8TAC, tells us how.

PATRICK: You don't need to do one single bit of hiking along the historic Lewis and Clark trail in the United States to make some interesting radio contacts there anyway. The 4900-mile trail covers the route taken by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, the 19th century expeditioners who traveled into the new western territory of the still-growing United
States.

To honor the explorers, ham radio clubs in 16 states along the path of
that trail are on the air, and will remain active through to the 18th of
June, using CW, SSB, FM and FT8 with the hope of helping chasers contact
a club in each of the 16 states. The special event is in its second year
and is organized by the Clark County Amateur Radio Club. Stations
contacting all of the states will receive an Expedition Partner
certificate. Stations working 1 through 15 states may request a Trail Companion certificate. Chasers need not submit logs; activating stations
are keeping track of each of the contacts.

All requests for certificates are due by the 31st of August.

For details visit the event website at lctota dot org (lctota.org)

This is Patrick Clark, K8TAC.

**

RADIO PROTECTION COMES TO IMPERILED FOREST

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: In India, an important cyclone-prone forest is getting
extra protection - from radio! John Williams, VK4JJW, tells us how.

JOHN: India's Sunderbans forest region, a heavily populated area near the
Bay of Bengal, is now home to a permanent amateur radio station that can
be activated during times of disaster. India's Meteorological Department
has noted that the region, which has numerous inhabited islands and is
home to a number of endangered species, is also prone to cyclone
activity. A civil defence volunteer, Debobroto Mondal, VU3FAE, will be
the main operator at the station. He received his disaster-response
training through the Indian Academy of Communication and Disaster
Management. The station equipment was donated and installed by members of
the West Bengal Radio Club. Communication has historically been
challenging in the Sunderbans when cyclones strike, leaving many of the inhabitants cut off from communication for extended periods of time.

This is John Williams, VK4JJW.

(AMBARISH NAG BISWAS, VU2JFA, THE HINDU)

**

ORGANIZERS CHOOSE SITE IN GUJARAT FOR HAMFEST INDIA

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: The big national convention known as Hamfest India has
chosen its location for this year's event. Jim Meachen, ZL2BHF, gives us
the details.

JIM: Hamfest India, the largest gathering of amateur radio operators in
that nation, has selected Ahmedabad Science City in the state of Gujarat
for the convention, which is taking place on the 25th and 26th of
November. Organisers consider the venue to be an ideal site for Hamfest
India because the facility is rich with science-related exhibits, virtual reality activity centres, an energy park, robotics gallery and an IMAX 3D theatre. The hosting organisation is the Gujarat Institute of Amateur
Radio. Registration has already begun.

Hamfest India has taken place since 1991 and its programme of events also includes a trade show and flea market. It was held virtually in 2021 and
last year it took place in Karnataka. An estimated 600 ham radio
operators from around India are expected to attend this year.

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

(AMATEUR RADIO DAILY, FACEBOOK, HAMFEST INDIA WEBSITE)
--- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)

CHINESE TEAM DEVELOPING NEW LUNAR-ORBIT SATELLITE

NEIL/ANCHOR: In China, a development team is working hard on the
next satellite destined to enter lunar orbit with an amateur radio
payload. John Williams, VK4JJW, explains the project.

JOHN: The creators of the first amateur radio satellite to operate
in lunar orbit are in the process of developing a second one with
the hope of launching it in 2024 from Wenchang, China. The
development team consists of students at the Harbin Institute of
Technology in China and ham radio operators from around the world.
Known as Lunar OSCAR II, it will have telemetry, a digipeater with
a JT4G uplink and downlink along with a digital image downlink
from an infrared camera.

The satellite will also be useful for various amateur radio orbit determination experiments and communications relay research.

Harbin Institute students built the first ham radio satellite to
operate in lunar orbit in May of 2018. The tiny satellite had a
big following among hams around the world who used it to download
images of the Earth and the moon.

This is John Williams, VK4JJW.

(AMSAT NEWS)

**

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio
Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including
the N8NC repeater of the North Coast Amateur Radio Club in
Brunswick, Ohio, on Sundays at 8 p.m. during the weekly
information net.

**

FOLLOW THE RULES FOR NEWSLINE'S HAIKU CHALLENGE

NEIL/ANCHOR: We hope our listeners have been enjoying the Amateur
Radio Newsline haiku challenge. We certainly have! In the spirit
of fun and perhaps a little bit of literary adventure, we've been
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. To qualify, you need to follow traditional
haiku form: The first line is five syllables, the second line is
seven syllables and the finishing third line has another five
syllables. We cannot accept any other formats.

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?
For now, bragging rights -- and a featured spot for your haiku on
the Amateur Radio Newsline website. We may have a surprise for you
at the end of the year, however. So visit our website at
arnewsline.org and take a look at this week's winning ham radio haiku.

**

US NAVY TO UPGRADE HF RADAR SYSTEM

NEIL/ANCHOR: The US government's long-range surveillance system,
which operates on the HF bands, is in line for a major upgrade.
Andy Morrison, K9AWM, tells us to get ready.

ANDY: The United States Navy knows what almost every amateur radio
operator knows too: that sometimes the software that enhances your transmissions on HF needs a major upgrade. In this case it's a
$87.5-million upgrade for the Navy and the work will be done on a
long-range surveillance system by Raytheon Technologies Corp. The
system is known as ROTHR, which is short for Relocatable Over-
the-Horizon Radar, and it detects and tracks surface ships and
aircraft by using long-range radar in the HF part of the spectrum.

The four-year contract will provide software enhancements,
maintenance, installation, removal, integration and testing, among
other things, and will be conducted mainly in Chesapeake,
Virginia, and Marlboro, Massachusetts.

Unlike hams, the Navy puts the ROTHR systems on the air for an
important enforcement mission: the systems have been used to track drug-smuggling and are, in fact, considered the government's
primary form of surveillance in the war on drugs.

This is Andy Morrison, K9AWM.

(MILITARY & AEROSPACE ELECTRONICS, ZACKS INVESTMENT RESEARCH)

**

40 YEARS FOR NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF AMATEUR RADIO

NEIL/ANCHOR: Congratulations to the National Institute of Amateur
Radio, which marked its 40th anniversary with a big celebration in
its Hyderabad (hydra-bod) headquarters. The NIAR is a non-
governmental organisation that holds training sessions and
workshops and advocates for India's radio amateurs. Founded on
June 21st, 1983, it is also home to an active club station VU2NRO,
which participates in contests and special events. The NIAR plays
a big role in helping individuals and learning institutions in
forming their own ham radio clubs throughout India. All the best
from us at Newsline for the next 40 years - and beyond.

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

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the IRLP Western Reflector Channel 9258 on Mondays at 7 p.m.

**

PROGRAM ROLLOUT FOR SCOUT CAMPS ON THE AIR

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: A sweeping new program is in the works to encourage hams everywhere to make contacts with young hams involved in Scouting. Think
of it as a push for hams to do a bit of scouting for Scouts.

It's called Scout Camps on the Air and it started as the dream of Matt
KR8E. He saw it as a way for the ham population to have QSOs with Scout stations - stations based on camps that are owned or leased by the
Scouting organization or those not at any camps but still known as Scout Stations on the Air.

Though the program is still a work in progress, the committee has added
three active scouts who are deeply involved in amateur radio, hoping to
add to the momentum. The committee has been asking Scout councils to
provide input. Organizers are meanwhile developing an multi-level awards program to recognize licensed hams worldwide everywhere who have
successful radio contacts with the Scouts.

You can follow the progress of Scout Camps on the Air, or get involved,
by following the program on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. See the text version of this week's newscast script at arnewsline.org for the Twitter
and Instagram handles of Scout Camps on the Air.

[DO NOT READ: Twitter handle is @SCOTA_k2bsa

Instagram handle is scota_k2bsa ]

(SCOUT CAMPS ON THE AIR)

**

WEST BENGAL HAMS ASSIST IN MISSING MOTHER'S RETURN

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Amateur radio operators in India have once again used
their extensive network of contacts to bring about a family reunion.
Graham Kemp, VK4BB, gives us their story.

GRAHAM: A mother in India who went missing at a fair 17 years ago while
her three children were on an amusement ride is heading back home to
Bihar thanks to local radio amateurs. Following the separation, the
children had come to believe their mother had long since died. Their
fears were proven wrong, however, after police enforcing the recent
COVID-19 lockdown saw her wandering the streets outside her home village, unable to speak. They took her for hospital evaluation. From there she
was transferred to the Missionaries of Charity Home where she remained
until the home asked the West Bengal Radio Club for assistance. Ambarish
Nag Biswas, VU2JFA, the club's secretary, told the website etvbharat.com
(E TEE VEE BARRAT DOT COM) that the radio club sent pictures to amateur
radio operators they know throughout India. A reply ultimately came from
the woman's daughter in Bihar, though the hams there. The daughter told
the West Bengal hams she had been seeking her mother for years and that
she was feared dead. At the time the family's story appeared in the local media, a reunion was being planned.

This is Graham Kemp, VK4BB.

(ETVBHARAT.COM)

**

WORLD OF DX

In the World of DX, be listening for Rag, LB3RE, operating on 40-6 metres
as DU1/LB3RE from Luzon Island, IOTA number OC-042, until the 18th of
July. See QRZ.com for QSL details.

Be listening for a six-member team of activators using the callsign RI1OR
(R Eye One Oh R) from Bolshoy Solovetsky Island, IOTA number EU-066, from
the 25th to the 29th of July. They will operate CW, SSB and digital modes
on 160-10 metres. Send QSLs via RZ3EC.

Chasers of World Wide Flora & Fauna activations may want to listen for
Bruno, F4JIK. He is touring Finland in his camper van and is on the air
as OH/F4JIK/p until the 13th of July. Listen for him on SSB on 40, 20
and 15 metres from several Finnish Flora & Fauna locations.

Listen for Ben, PE5B, who will be active as PJ7/PE5B from Sint Maarten,
IOTA number NA-105, from the 7th to the 14th of July. He will be
operating SSB and RTTY while doing training and demonstrations of ham
radio and HF EmComm to local groups. QSL via LoTW.

(DX WORLD.NET, 425 DX BULLETIN)
--- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)

RADIO CAMP NEAR PRAGUE WELCOMES THE VERY YOUNG

PAUL/ANCHOR: In the Czech Republic, some of the youngest of the young
are getting a chance to be involved in an amateur radio camp later this
year. Jeremy Boot, G4NJH, brings us that report.

JEREMY: The campers may be as young as 10 and no older than 15 but they
will benefit from a lifetime of radio experience from those who guide
them in learning radio operating skills and getting on the air. This is
the KOTA Subregional Camp at Castle Trhanov, outside Prague and it will
take place from the 15th to the 17th of September. KOTA stands for "Kids
on the Air" and the goal is to serve this very young age group as part
of a pilot project.

The weekend is being organised by the Czech Radio Club with assistance
from the IARU Region 1 Youth Working Group. The future of such a
programme is on the agenda for discussion at the IARU Region 1 General Conference taking place in November in Serbia.

This is Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

(YOTA, IARU REGION1, WIA)

**

O CANADA! TIME FOR YOUTH ON THE AIR CAMP

PAUL/ANCHOR: Meanwhile, camp is getting under way in Canada for
youngsters who are from North, Central and South America. They have a
full agenda, as we hear from Patrick Clark, K8TAC.

PATRICK: Young amateurs in the Americas are getting ready for an out-of- this-world experience at the Youth on the Air camp in Ontario, Canada
between July 16th and the 21st: The campers have a scheduled contact
with the International Space Station on Tuesday, July 18. Meanwhile,
they'll also get to experience the thrill of being chased by callsign
hunters by activating VE3YOTA. They go on the air starting Sunday July
16th and don't go QRT until Friday July 21st. There's also a satellite
station for them to operate and they'll be on the air to experience
contact with the birds on Wednesday July 19th.

Parks on the Air activity is expected to play a big role for the kids
too: Fifteen QRP stations will be on the air on Tuesday, July 18th from
1900 UTC to 2100 UTC and Thursday July 20th from 1300 UTC to 1600 UTC.
They will activate a two-for-one POTA location, the Central Experimental
Farm National Historic Site, VE-5095, and the Rideau Canal National
Historic Site, VE-4882.

Don't forget to catch the opening day ceremonies via their webstream on
Sunday July 16th at 2100 UTC, featuring keynote speaker Phil McBride,
VA3QR, president of the Radio Amateurs of Canada.

Further details about these activities can be found at Youthontheair dot
org. That's Youthontheair - one word - dot org.

This is Patrick Clark, K8TAC.

(YOUTH ON THE AIR)

**

WORLD OF DX

In the World of DX, listen for Mauro, IW2KVT, operating holiday style as IH9/IW2KVT from Pantelleria Island, IOTA number AF-018, until the 14th
of July. He is using SSB on the HF bands and 6 metres.

A team of hams will be operating as IP1X from Gallinara Island, IOTA
number EU-083, on the 29th and 30th of July. Listen for them using CW
and SSB on 80-10 metres. They will also participate in the IOTA Contest.
See QRZ.com for QSL details.

Special event station CR6J is on the air from the 17th to the 23rd of
July for the 41st International Motorcycle Rally in Faro, Portugal.
Listen on 80-6 metres for operators using CW, SSB and digital modes. QSL
via CT1EHX.

Listen for Dirk, DL1KVN, operating holiday style as F/DL1KVN/p from Noirmoutier Island, IOTA number EU-064, from the 15th to the 28th of
July. Dirk will be using CW and SSB on 40-10 metres. See QRZ.com for QSL details.

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

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the 2-meter
repeater of the Bluegrass Amateur Radio Society in Lexington, Kentucky
every Friday at 9 p.m.

**

RADIO CONTESTER TAKES TOP FOOTBALL COACHING JOB

PAUL/ANCHOR: A prominent radio contester is taking a top spot in another competitive field - European football. Jeremy Boot, G4NJH, gives us the details.

JEREMY: You may not find Serhiy Rebrov, 5B4AMM, on the field of any high- profile radiosport event this year, but the former Tottenham football
striker does have his eyes set on next year's European Championship - as
the first permanent head coach of Ukraine's team.

The active radio contester is well-known throughout Europe for his career
with West Ham, Tottenham and Dynamo Kyiv and he also coached in the Saudi Arabian, Ukrainian and Hungarian leagues.

He recently signed a three-year contract with Ukraine's team, keeping his
eye on the European Championship qualifiers against North Macedonia and
Malta.

As a licensed ham and contester, he has also been heard on the air as
UT5UDX, M0SDX, TA2ZF and UT0U.

This is Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

(QRZ.COM, ASSOCIATED PRESS)

**

RSGB TO RECEIVE UK STATION USED BY KING HUSSEIN JY1

PAUL/ANCHOR: Any ham who remembers hearing - or perhaps working the
callsign JY1 - King Hussein of Jordan - will enjoy hearing this next
story. Jeremy Boot, G4NJH, tells us more.

JEREMY: The UK radio equipment once used by King Hussein of Jordan, JY1,
is being donated to the Radio Society of Great Britain by Her Majesty
Queen Noor of Jordan. King Hussein became a Silent Key in 1999 at the age
of 63. The RSGB said the collection will be on permanent display at the
RSGB's National Radio Centre to inspire others and promote friendship and understanding across cultures. They said in a statement [quote]: "His
Majesty was a great ambassador for amateur radio and, whenever his
official duties allowed him, his radio call sign JY1 could be heard on
the amateur bands. His Majesty always operated modestly, never announcing himself as King Hussein, always just 'Hussein from Jordan'". [endquote]

This is Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

(RSGB)

**

PRESENTERS NEEDED FOR GRCON23 IN ARIZONA

PAUL/ANCHOR: Organizers are looking for presenters for the next GNU Radio Conference, known as GRCon23. This is the 13th annual conference for the community, which unites users and developers in the field of software
radio. Presenters and attendees are typically members of the academic community, government, industry and of course hobbyists.

The deadline for submission of abstracts to present at the conference is
June 23rd. The conference itself will take place from September 5th
through to the 9th. It is being held at Arizona State University's Center
for Wireless Information Systems and Computational Architectures in
Tempe, Arizona.

Details can be found on the website gnuradio.org

(GNURADIO.ORG, AMATEUR RADIO DAILY)

**

BILL CHALLENGES PRIVATE LAND RESTRICTIONS ON ANTENNAS

PAUL/ANCHOR: Lawmakers in two US states have reintroduced a bill to
protect hams from private land-use restrictions that keep them from
installing antennas at home. Kevin Trotman, N5PRE, brings us up to date.

KEVIN: The Amateur Radio Emergency Preparedness Act is back for
consideration on Capitol Hill in Washington DC. The measure, first
introduced by Congressmen Bill Johnson of Ohio and Joe Courtney of
Connecticut last December, is designed to ensure that hams everywhere can
get on the air, especially in instances where there is a need for
emergency communications, such as in natural disasters.

No votes were taken when the bill was introduced toward the end of the
last session of Congress. It is being reintroduced in response to the
rapid growth of private residential areas that have these restrictions on
the use of land. The bill would amend the Communications Act of 1934 by prohibiting land-use restrictions from halting the installation and use
of amateur radio antennas.

This is Kevin Trotman, N5PRE.

(REP. BILL JOHNSON WEBSITE, GOVTRACK.US., ARRL)
--- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)

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 at 8 p.m., following the Monday Night Hobby and Information Net.

**

JAPAN'S HAM FAIR 2023 RETURNS TO TOKYO VENUE

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Japan's Ham Fair, continues to be the largest Hamfest in
the world and the Japan Amateur Radio League has high hopes that at the
2023 event visitors will enjoy a new era in amateur radio this coming
August. In fact, that new era is the very theme of the two-day event -
August 20th and 21st - at Tokyo's Big Sight Convention Center.

This will be the 45th year for the league's ham fair, which was cancelled
in 2021 due to concerns about the pandemic.

Before Japan's HamFair however, the weekend of the release of this
newscast, Europe's largest Hamfest, the 46th HAM RADIO event in Friedrichshafen was getting underway in the new messe (Pron: Mess Ah)
expo centre.

(JARL, WIA)

**

FCC POLICY RESPONDS TO GROWTH IN WIDEBAND DEVICES

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: In Washington, D.C., the FCC's policy on wideband devices
has once again responded to changes in the market. We have details from
Kent Peterson, KC0DGY.

KENT: The FCC's policy concerning ultra-wideband devices appears to be broadening to allow for expanded growth in the way the technology is
used, according to a recent report.

A June 13th posting written by Venable LLC, and posted on the website JDSupra.com noted that the agency granted a waiver of Part 15 rules to
the Schlage Lock Company LLC to enable the security firm to put one of
its ultra-wideband home security locks on the market. The report said it
was the first waiver of its kind to be granted this year but the action appears to show that the FCC is continuing on a 20-year trajectory to
relax its permissions for ultra-wideband technology. Nearly 20 such
waivers have been granted over the years for this unlicensed use of low
power RF signals, generally employed for security uses, medical imaging
and even robotic lawn mowers. The Schlage company made the request on
behalf of its smart residential door locks which make use of ultra-
wideband signals in combination with Bluetooth.

The website's report notes that the Commission bases its approval of a
waiver request if it determines that licensed radio services would not
face harmful interference when such a device is in use. The Commission's Office of Engineering and Technology concluded that there was a low
likelihood of harmful interference in this case, especially with
transmissions taking place in a small space relatively close to the
ground.

The Venable article did say, however, that the FCC has not indicated it
was considering a policy change or any kind of overall update for ultra- wideband technologies.

This is Kent Peterson, KC0DGY.

(VENABLE, LLC)

**

JOIN NEWSLINE'S HAIKU CHALLENGE

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Are you enjoying Newsline's weekly ham radio haiku? Join
our challenge! We're inviting listeners to share the joy of amateur radio
in the form of a haiku. On our website, arnewsline.org, you will find a submission form for sending your most creative 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 match that format to qualify.

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?
Bragging rights -- and a featured spot for your haiku on the Amateur
Radio Newsline website. Meanwhile, visit our website at arnewsline.org to
see this week's winning haiku.

**

RSGB SEEKS IDEAS FOR NATIONAL CODING WEEK

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: In amateur radio, there's Code, as in Morse Code, and
then there's coding, the kind of coding some hams use in programming for
their equipment. Jeremy Boot, G4NJH, tells us how the Radio Society of
Great Britain has big plans for newcomers to coding.

JEREMY: Ham radio learning has been transformed by the BBC Micro:bit and
the Arduino and hams attracted to the kind of coding involved are rapidly gaining enthusiasm. The Radio Society of Great Britain is preparing for National Coding Week, which takes place during the third week of
September and is looking for volunteers who can help develop activities
to encourage newcomers to coding - newcomers of all ages - to explore
this new experience. The RSGB will be putting an extra emphasis on coding skills during the third week of September and hopes hams will offer some creative approaches for amateurs of all ages. If you have an idea, please contact John Hislop, G7OHO, of the Exam and Syllabus Review Group. You
can find his email in the text version of this week's Newsline script.

This is Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

[JOHN'S EMAIL: g7oho@rsgb.org.uk ]

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

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the K9DEW repeater
in Warsaw, Indiana, on Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m.

**

DO YOU HAIKU? ROGER ROGER!

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: What's the one ham radio competition you can enter without turning your rig on? The Amateur Radio Newsline haiku challenge. We've been 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. Follow traditional haiku form and send in your entry: The first line is five syllables, the second line is seven syllables and the finishing third line has another five syllables. We cannot accept
any other formats.

We will pick from the best submissions that follow the 5/7/5 syllable rule
and represent the love of amateur radio. Your prize? For now, bragging
rights -- and a featured spot for your haiku on the Amateur Radio Newsline website. We may have a surprise for you at the end of the year, however. So visit our website at arnewsline.org and take a look at this week's winning
ham radio haiku.

**

'MOON DAY' PUTS SPOTLIGHT ON HAM RADIO

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Although the event at the Frontiers of Flight Museum was called "Moon Day," amateur radio shared the spotlight with the help of
AMSAT and two area ham clubs. Moon Day was held at the Dallas, Texas museum
at Love Field on July 22nd - the anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission in
1969. The educational event celebrated ham radio communications through satellites while acknowledging the great strides that have been made since that historic lunar landing. AMSAT ambassador Tom Schuessler, N5HYP, told Newsline in an email that AMSAT's presentations focused on amateur radio in space and with the help of AMSAT's Virginia Smith, NV5F, Calvin Gluck,
W7KYG and Tony Medina, NT5TM, guests learned about the technology behind
these communications. The keynote speaker was retired NASA astronaut Shane Kimbrough KE5HOD.

Working alongside AMSAT, the Dallas Amateur Radio Club, W5FC, demonstrated
the use of repeaters, Morse Code and the HF bands. A number of young Scouts were able to work toward their radio and exploration merit badges. This was the 15th annual Moon Day held at the museum, and Tom told Newsline it will
be back again next year.

(TOM SCHUESSLER, N5HYP)

**

RADIO 'BUMBLEBEES' TAKE FLIGHT USING CW

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Sunday, July 30th, has been set aside for bumblebees. Those the the radio operators who'll be operating QRP as they call CQ. Randy Sly, W4XJ, tells us how to "BEE" ready for them.

RANDY: The Adventure Radio Society is hoping for a swarm of bumblebees on Sunday, July 30th -- or at least, that's the buzz. For the four-hour period between 1700 and 2100 UTC, the organizers of a casual CW contest called The Flight of the Bumblebees are encouraging portable operators to walk,
bicycle, row - using any means of engine-free travel - and set up at a
field site. There, they will call CQ with their callsign and a unique identifying Bumblebee Number assigned to them. For bumblebees, being in the field is important. The society, which was created in 1996, tries to foster the practice of radio operations in an ecologically responsible manner.

Now remember: bumblebees are small, so this is going to be a QRP event and
no one will be transmitting more than 5 watts. Typically, these radio bumblebees can be found on 40, 20, 15 and 10 meters, around standard QRP frequencies. Who'll be looking for them? Other bumblebees, of course, but home-based stations who are also operating QRP can chase the bees or one another.

For details, rules and other information, visit arsqrp dot blogspot dot com (arsqrp.blogspot.com). Bumblebees and home-based stations will be eligible
for commendations based on points, but additional recognition will be given
to those busy bees who operate from attractive sites, have an unusual adventure, or perhaps operate with some notable equipment.

As with previous such contests, this one is sure to create a hive of
activity.

This is Randy Sly, W4XJ.

(ADVENTURE RADIO SOCIETY, MONITORING TIMES 1999)
--- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)