HAMS IN UK PREP FOR PLATINUM JUBILEE SPECIAL EVENT

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

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

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

(RSGB)

**

HAMS JOIN FCC'S TECH ADVISORY COUNCIL

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

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

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

(ARRL)

**

DEADLINE NEARS FOR SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT NOMINATIONS

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

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

(ARS AWARD WEBSITE)

**

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio
Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the
VK3HJQ repeater in Victoria, Australia, and the EchoLink Conference
Server 69556 and IRLP Node 9556 on Sundays at 9 a.m. local time.
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (954:895/7)

CANADIAN AMATEURS RECEIVE GRANT FOR EMCOMM WORK

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

(THE NEW WESTMINSTER RECORD)

**

PILOTS FAULT ELECTRONIC 'SPOOFING' OF GPS SIGNALS

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

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

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

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

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

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

**

PANEL ASSESSES JAPAN'S EFFORT TO ATTRACT YOUNGER HAMS

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

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

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

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

(JARL, SOUTHGATE)

**

AM RALLY PAYS TRIBUTE TO ORIGINAL VOICE MODE

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

**

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world including the Lookout Mountain Amateur Radio Community's N4LMC repeater and the LMARC SouthEast Link
Digital Systems on Fridays at 7:30 p.m. local time.
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (954:895/7)

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

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

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

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

(CNN)

**

PROBE CONCLUDES THAT RADIO WAVES SICKENED US DIPLOMATS

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

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

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

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Kent Peterson KC0DGY

(NYTIMES, NBC)

**

SILENT KEY: PACKET RADIO PIONEER BOB BRUNINGA, WB4APR

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

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

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

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

(AMSAT, IEEE, QRZ, FACEBOOK)

**

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

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

(JOCELYN BRAULT, KD8VRX)
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (954:895/7)

SOLAR STORM DISABLES SOME STARLINK SATELLITES

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

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

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

(CNN, SPACE.COM)

**

UK HAMS MARK 100 YEARS OF BRITISH BROADCASTING

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

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

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

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

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

(SOUTHGATE, CHELMSFORD AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY)

**

AMSAT SOUTH AFRICA SEEKS PAPERS FOR SYMPOSIUM

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

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

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

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

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

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

(AMSAT-SA, SARL)

**

SPECIAL EVENT BRINGS PLUTO A LITTLE CLOSER TO HOME

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

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

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

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

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Randy Sly, W4XJ.
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (954:895/7)

DIGITAL VOICE EMERGENCY NETWORK PLANNED IN MAINE

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

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

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

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

(BANGOR DAILY NEWS)

**

AMATEURS ENJOY TWO QSO PARTIES IN ONE

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

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

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

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

[FOR PRINT ONLY, DO NOT READ:

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

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

**

HAM RADIO UNIVERSITY WORKSHOPS NOW ONLINE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

TRANSATLANTIC TRIUMPH FOR REPLICA TRANSMITTER

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

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

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

(ED GABLE, K2MP/W2AN)

**

GERMAN YL BECOMES NEW YOUNGEST ADVANCED LICENSEE

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

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

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

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

(DARC)

**

NEWSLINE'S YHOTY 2022 NOMINATIONS OPEN

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

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

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

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

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

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

We lost Bill in 2015.

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

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

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

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

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Mark Abramowicz, NT3V.
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (954:895/7)

SILENT KEY: ETHERNET NETWORKING'S DAVID BOGGS, WA3DBJ

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

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

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

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

**

SILENT KEY: DISASTER RELIEF VOLUNTEER EDWARD WARREN COX, KE3D

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

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

Ed died on February 21st in Austin, Texas.

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

Ed Cox was 75.

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

(THE STATESMAN)

**

REGISTRATION OPENS FOR SEA-PAC

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

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

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

(SEA-PAC)

**

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio
Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including OH-KY-
IN Amateur Radio Society's K8SCH repeater in Cincinnati, Ohio, on
Wednesdays at 9 p.m. local time.
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (954:895/7)

RADIO TRIUMPH ATOP CARIBBEAN'S HIGHEST POINT

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

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

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

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

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

(YEUDY MARTE, HI5YJM, SOTA REFLECTOR)

**

CLUB ASSIGNED CALLSIGN OF SILENT KEY IN HER HONOR

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

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

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

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

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

(STEVEN REINERS KC9SIO)

**

LICW CLUB LAUNCHES TALKGROUP ON DMR

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

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

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

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

FCC CLARIFIES NEW AMATEUR RADIO APPLICATION FEES

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

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

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

(FCC, ARRL)

**

HAMS IN INDIA HELP REUNITE MISSING MAN WITH FAMILY

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

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

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

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

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

(MILLENNIUM POST, THE TIMES OF INDIA)

**

GET READY FOR WORLD AMATEUR RADIO DAY

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

**

VIRTUAL WORKSHOP HELPS TRAIN HAMS FOR HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS

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

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

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

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

(LLOYD COLSTON, KC5FM)
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (954:895/7)

MARCONI DAY REAFFIRMS HAMS' CONNECTIONS TO RADIO HISTORY

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

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

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

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

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

(CORNISH RADIO AMATEUR CLUB)

**

CROATIA WILL BE HOME TO IARU REGION 1 YOUTH SUMMER CAMP

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

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

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

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

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

(IARU REGION 1)

**

YOUTH ON THE AIR SEEKS HOST VENUE FOR 2023 SUMMER CAMP

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

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

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

(YOUTH ON THE AIR)

**

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio
Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the
W0EF repeater of the Hennepin Twin City FM Club in St. Louis Park,
Minnesota, on Saturdays at 9:30 a.m. local time.
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (954:895/7)

VOA MUSEUM TO EXTEND HOURS DURING HAMVENTION

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

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

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

(JOCELYN BRAULT, KD8VRX/VA2VRX)

**

GERMANY'S HAM RADIO FRIEDRICHSHAFEN TO BE A REUNION

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

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

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

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

**

WIRELESS INSTITUTE OF AUSTRALIA PREPS FOR TASMANIA

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

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

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

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

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

(WIA)

**

NOMINATE YOUNG AMATEURS FOR NEWSLINE AWARD

SKEETER/ANCHOR: It's time to think about the next generation of radio operators and appreciate their skill and dedication. Perhaps one of them
will be the next recipient of the Amateur Radio Newsline Bill Pasternak Memorial Young Ham of the Year Award. Consider nominating an amateur
radio operator 18 years of age or younger in the continental United
States with talent, promise and a commitment to the spirit of ham radio.
Find application forms on our website arnewsline.org under the "YHOTY"
tab. Nominations close May 31st.
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (954:895/7)

US GOVERNMENT TO STUDY PROPAGATION USING SATELLITE-BASED SENSORS

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

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

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

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

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

(INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT NEWS)

**

ARRL, RSGB MAKING CHANGES AT HELM OF NEWS MEDIA

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

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

(ARRL, RSGB)

**

HAM RADIO WORKSHOP FROM HURRICANE CONFERENCE NOW ON YOUTUBE

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

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

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

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

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

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

**

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the W7GAA repeater
in Bullhead City, Arizona, on Friday nights at 7:30 local time.
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (954:895/7)

SILENT KEY: PHILANTHROPIST, QUALCOMM FOUNDER FRANKLIN ANTONIO, N6NKF

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

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

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

He was 69 years old.

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

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

**

RSGB OFFERS NEW INCENTIVES FOR FOUNDATION LICENSE HOLDERS

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

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

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

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

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

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

(RSGB, ESSEX HAM)

**

NORTH CAROLINA AMATEURS TAKE ON MARATHON CHALLENGE

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

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

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

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

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

(ASHE POST AND TIMES, PAUL RAICHE, N1XI)
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (954:895/7)

HAMS BUILD SKILLS, FRIENDSHIPS AT YOUTH ON THE AIR CAMP

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

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

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

**

NASA STUDIES DAMAGE TO WEBB TELESCOPE

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

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

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

(BBC, SPACEFLIGHT NOW)

**

PLANS PROCEED FOR OUTDATED SATELLITES' REMOVAL

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

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

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

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

(AMSAT NEWS SERVICE, ASTROSCALE)

**

BRITISH HAMS ARRESTED AS SPIES IN ALBANIA

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

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

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

There were no further details about the case.

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

(THE DAILY MIRROR, DAILY MAIL AND DAILY EXPRESS)
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (954:895/7)

SILENT KEY: ALPHA AMPS' RICHARD EHRORN W4EA/W4ETO

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

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

(EHAM.NET, MARY BITTNER WB0PXM, FACEBOOK)

**

SPECIAL EVENT STATION TO HONOR DXPEDITIONER, HUMANITARIAN ZORRO

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

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

QSL via ClubLog.

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

(DX-WORLD.NET, QRZ.COM)

**

TRANSMITTER TO REMAIN OFF THE AIR ON ALEXANDERSON DAY

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

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

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

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

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

(THE ALEXANDERSON ASSOCIATION)

**

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio
Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the
N5OZG repeater in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sundays at 8 p.m.
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (954:895/7)

CANCER RECOVERY INSPIRES SPECIAL EVENT IN UK

NEIL/ANCHOR: Grateful for his recovery from prostate cancer, a
ham in the UK is operating a special event station to raise
awareness - and funds - for further research. Jeremy Boot, G4NJH,
brings us his story.

JEREMY: Writing on his blog, Andrew Brown, M0ONH, shares the
details of his early symptoms, diagnosis, surgery, treatment and
recovery from prostate cancer at age 41. His medical journey
began mid-2021 with visits to doctors to identify the source of
his symptoms. He had surgery last spring.

Andrew has been a ham since 2018 - hence his call sign suffix "O
N H" for "One New Ham." He began his blog as a way to encourage
others to join him in amateur radio. Now he is making use of
amateur radio to encourage others to do something more - be pro-
active in their own health care. He wants people to learn more
about prostate cancer and help raise funds for research.

Andrew has organised a special event station, GB8PCA, with the
support of three Essex clubs and Essex Ham. Activation takes
place on Saturday 13th August from 1100 to 1600 local time (GMT+
1); Monday 15th at 2000 during the Essex Ham Net on GB3DA, and on
Friday 19th at 2000 (all times local) during the TARG Club Net,
also on GB3DA. Listen as well for the special event station at
either Galleywood or at the Hackspace on Sunday 21st August from
1100 to 1600 local time.

Here's another reason to make contact: for every logged QSO using
the GB8PCA callsign, Andrew will donate �1 himself. If you cannot
contact him but want to support the cause, visit his JustGiving
Donation Page. You can read more about Andrew's story on his
blog. See the links for Andrew's blog and the Justgiving pages in
the text version of this week's script at arnewsline.org.

This is Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

[FOR PRINT ONLY: https://onenewham.uk/my-prostate-cancer-story/
and https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/gb8pca]

(SOUTHGATE, ANDREW M0ONH BLOG)

**

PENNSYLVANIA CLUB MARKS 10TH ANNIVERSARY 'ABOARD' MARS ROVER

NEIL/ANCHOR: Hams in one Pennsylvania club are celebrating a
relationship with the Mars rover that began 10 years ago. Randy
Sly, W4XJ, has those details.

RANDY: How do you celebrate a 10th anniversary? A Dinner? A
Party?

The Holmesburg Amateur Radio Club in Philadelphia decided to send
its club call, WM3PEN, on a long vacation that would take 255
days to get there. They teamed up with NASA’s Mars Science
Laboratory rover, Curiosity, to visit Bradbury Landing, on Mars.
The boarding pass was "purchased" on April 25, 2011 and Curiosity,
with their callsign on board, landed on the red planet in early
August, 2012.

Since the landing, Curiosity and WM3PEN have travelled nearly 18
miles searching for the perfect location for the Dxpedition.

The folks at WM3PEN also thought it would be a good trip to team
up with the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (J-P-L) since they decided
to make it a CW event. To help measure size and distance, the
JPL engineers carved out the dots and dashes of the letters J-P-L
in the tire treads. How could a ham argue with a CW buddy along
for the ride?

NASA reports that engineers are devising ways to minimize wear
and tear and keep the rover rolling: In fact, Curiosity's mission
was recently extended for another three years.

When asked what's next for the WM3PEN team, callsign trustee Bob
Josuweit, WA3PZO, said that after just coming off Field Day and
the 13 Colonies Special Event in June and July, it will be time
to relax before planning the next adventure.

This is Randy Sly, W4XJ.

(BOB JOSUWEIT, WA3PZO)

**

ARDC GRANT PROVIDES STEM, TECH SCHOLARSHIPS

NEIL/ANCHOR: Four students at a private university in the United
States will receive full one-year scholarships for their studies
in the fields of science and technology with the help of a grant
from Amateur Radio Digital Communications. The $200,000 grant
will fund their studies as well as their involvement in related
activities. It will also cover the cost of producing programs on
the university's FM radio station highlighting scholars involved
in STEM topics. This financial gift is especially significant
because the private college in the state of Virginia houses a
School of Engineering and Technology that has a strong commitment
to recruiting women and African Americans to study for research
careers in engineering and materials science fields.

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

FINNISH HAM RADIO PUBLICATIONS GO DIGITAL

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: With amateurs around the world going digital ON the
air, it would stand to reason that increasing numbers of publishers of
amateur radio media are opting to go digital OFF the air. Ed Durrant,
DD5LP, tells us about a magazine in Finland that is the latest to make
this change.

ED: The Finnish Amateur Radio Association has recognised that even
amateurs who don't operate with the digital modes might still want to
go digital when it comes to reading material about radio. The SRAL now
allows its members the option of receiving their magazines in a digital
format sent via email instead of waiting for the postal carrier to
deliver it. This follows the lead of a number of amateur radio
societies around the world who have already made that shift, including
the ARRL in the United States with its QST and On the Air magazines,
and the Radio Society of Great Britain with RadCom. Members of the
Finnish society are being given the option of receiving both the paper
and digital edition. An SRAL survey of members showed that 37 percent
of association members were strongly interested in a digital
publication. That bodes well for the society's budget: Digital
distribution is expected to reduce costs of producing the magazine,
which the association considers one of its biggest expenses.

This is Ed Durrant, DD5LP.

(SOUTHGATE)

**

AUTOMAKERS LOSE COURT BATTLE OVER 5.9 GHz BAND

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: It was a case of use it or lose it for the US auto
industry, which has lost its fight to retain a larger allocation of the
5.9 GHz band for wireless safety features in vehicles. Kent Peterson,
KC0DGY, has that story.

KENT: A federal court in Washington, D.C., has decided against US
automakers who had asked the US Federal Communications Commission to
restore its previously allocated frequencies on the 5.9 GHz band for
use by wireless safety technology known as vehicle-to-vehicle. The
court ruled on Friday August 12th that the V2V technology had not been deployed in commercially marketed vehicles and that much of the
spectrum was needed for Wi-Fi. In 2020, the FCC reallocated part of the
5.9GHz spectrum from V2V technology so it could be available for
unlicensed devices using Wi-Fi.

The court denied the challenge to that reallocation by the Intelligent Transportation Society of America and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, arguing that the court was
unconvinced that sufficient advances had been made in V2V technology.
The FCC told the court that 30MHz of spectrum remained available for
these so-called intelligent transportation systems and the agency
considered that enough.

This is Kent Peterson, KC0DGY.

(US CIRCUIT COURT, WASHINGTON D.C.; THE VERGE)

**

A CENTURY OF PROUD CHALLENGES FOR WISCONSIN AMATEUR

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: There are always new challenges for ham radio operators
who are on the lookout for the next big thing to learn. Perhaps no one
knows that better than this Wisconsin amateur. He celebrated his 100th birthday this summer. Ralph Squillace, KK6ITB, has his story.

RALPH: In true amateur radio spirit, the learning hasn't stopped for
Arden Nelson, KA9WAR. He trained to fly military aircraft in the Army
Air Corps during World War II and 79 years ago this month he soloed a
PT-19 in Ballinger, Texas. He also learned to communicate using CW.
Although he regrets not having stayed with that mode when he became an
amateur radio operator 37 years ago, Arde - who turned 100 years old on
July 2nd - hasn't avoided conquering other modes since then. He devotes
three to four hours a day listening to the radio and trying to score
some good DX. He told Newsline in an email that with the assistance of
Dwight, NS9I, he made the leap into the digital realm and is active now
making contacts using FT-8.

Few hams could have been happier recently than Lou, N2CYY, who logged
an FT8 contact with him in his New Jersey shack on the 13th of August.
He was happy to learn his new friend had recently become a centenarian.
Even without making radio contact with him, however, other local hams
are sharing that joy: Fellow members of the Marinette and Menominee
Amateur Radio Club honored Arden recently with a birthday celebration
and a picnic at a local park.

There, fortunately, the only challenge he faced was cutting - and
eating - the cake.

This is Ralph Squillace, KK6ITB.

(ARDE NELSON KA9WAR, PESHTIGO TIMES, LOU N2CYY)
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (954:895/7)

LATEST HONOR CONFERRED FOR WORKED ALL BRITAIN FOUNDERS BOWL

JIM/ANCHOR: Of course, some amateurs' collections extend beyond QSL
cards. Jeremy Boot, G4NJH, tells us about one ham in England who just
added to a different kind of collection.

JEREMY: Some amateurs are proud of their collection of QSL cards. Karl
Kruger 2E0FEH takes special pride in his collection of trophies. The
latest conferred upon him is the inscription of his name on the
Founders Bowl from Worked All Britain for 2021. The award not only
recognises him as a high-scoring chaser for a half-decade but
acknowledges the articles he has written for the Worked All Britain
magazine and his support and advice given to operators.

Chasers face the seemingly daunting task of hunting all kinds of
locator squares throughout Britain, starting with the 100km big squares
and then 10km smaller squares within them. Karl's efforts include
helping chasers locate and work portable stations that operate from
squares where there are no resident hams. There are, of course, other
types of ways to earn points, with coastal squares, islands,
lighthouses and waterway lights.

Karl has been involved in these big and small chases for quite some
time.

He told Newsline [quote] "the best bit after a period of time, [is
when] you start collecting trophies. I have quite a collection now in
my cabinet. It's taken a few years to do and a lot of air time but
trust me, it's worth it." [endquote]

Karl said the awards scheme is open to Shortwave Listeners and even
overseas operators, who might actually find the collection easier from
a QTH outside Britain. He told Newsline [quote]: "Be warned. It is
addictive." [endquote]

I'm Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

**

SPECIAL EVENT STATION COMMEMORATES LAKE SUPERIOR TRAGEDY

JIM/ANCHOR: Even if you're not in the United States, you may have heard
of the tragedy of the freighter that sank during a storm in 1975 in one
of the Great Lakes. The vessel's story is being told again with the
help of a special event station, as we hear from Sel Embee, KB3TZD.

SEL: In the state of Michigan, the story of the tragedy cannot be told
enough: On November 10th, 1975, an American freighter, the SS Edmund Fitzgerald was sent to the bottom of Lake Superior. The crew of 29 lost
their lives that day. That story will be shared once again between
October 30th and November 13th by members of the Livonia Amateur Radio
Club, K8UNS, as they operate as special event station W8F. On Saturday, November 5th, the operation will also be at the Dossin Great Lakes
Museum from 1600 to 2030 UTC. This is also a POTA activation and an
entity in the US Islands Awards scheme. The museum and the Detroit
Historical Society are hosting the event, hoping that amateurs from
around the world will make contact and that visitors to the museum will observe the portable ham station on its day of operation there. Hams
who log W8F as a contact will be issued a confirmation certificate.

See the QRZ.com page for special event station W8F for more details.

This is Sel Embee, KB3TZD.

(QRZ.COM)

**

NO BARE-BONES OPERATION FOR HALLOWEEN

JIM/ANCHOR: Here in the United States, as Halloween approaches, people
have been growing increasingly creative in the ways they decorate their
homes for the holiday. Meet one ham in Denver, Colorado, who carries
the theme way above all the others - way, way above - because it's on
his roof. Neil Rapp, WB9VPG, gives us the details.

NEIL: If you look at the photos on his page on QRZ.com, you'll notice
right away that Keifer Hunniford, K3IFR, doesn't exactly have a shack
that you'd call a bare-bones operation. Well, Halloween has changed all
that. His wife, Ari, is a big fan of the holiday and recently brought
home nine skeletons from the local Home Depot. Some of them are now
scattered around the couple's yard and a few are hanging off the roof
of their house in various poses. The luckiest skeleton of the bunch got
the highest visibility of all: Keifer has him mounted on his antenna,
and the installation required - you guessed it - only a skeleton crew.
Keifer zip-tied that festive bunch of bones into place to keep him
secure through the end of the month.

We're not sure whether its presence has an impact on Keifer's SWR -
that's Skeleton-Wave-Ratio - but we do know it has scared up a lot of
interest locally and on Facebook too, where he posted a picture. It has
turned their house into quite a haunt - and if any neighbors should try
to compete with it... let's just say.....they don't stand a ghost of a
chance.

This is Neil Rapp, WB9VPG.
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (954:895/7)

IN THE US, FIELD DAY: IN THE WINTER?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I'm Mark Abramowicz, NT3V.

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

**

KFF MARATHON CHALLENGE GETS IN THE RUNNING

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

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

For details visit the WWFF-KFF page on Facebook.

This is Stephen Kinford, N8WB.

(WWFF)

**

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio
Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world including
the N5OZG (N 5 OH ZED G) repeater in New Orleans, Louisiana, on
Sundays at 8 p.m.
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (954:895/7)

NEWCOMERS GET SPOTLIGHT FOR RSGB CONSTRUCTION CONTEST

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

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

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

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

This is Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

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

**

FCC HELPS UNDERWRITE EXAM COST FOR YOUNG KENTUCKY AMATEURS

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

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

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

This is Jack Parker, W8ISH.

(WPSD LOCAL 6, ARRL)

**

SILENT KEY: MUSICIAN, EDUCATOR RODNEY MOAG, W5NDS

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

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

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

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

(QCWA, QRZ.COM, AUSTIN CHRONICLE)

**

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the K3ALG
repeater in Palmerton, Pennsylvania, on Sundays at 4:30 p.m. local time.
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (954:895/7)

HAMS ADD MOMENTUM TO PANCREATIC CANCER EVENT

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

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

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

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

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

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

This is Jim Damron, N8TMW.

(RICH RYBA, WQ3Q)

**

SYDNEY HAM RADIO CLUB MARKS 100TH YEAR

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

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

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

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

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

Hope to catch you on the bands!

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

**

SILENT KEY: DXER, DXPEDITIONER MAMIRO YOSHIZAWA PY2DM

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

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

Mamiro Yoshizawa was 83.

This is Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

(QRZ.COM)

**

OFCOM APPROVES SPECIAL CALLS FOR 2 MORE DX CONTESTS

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

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

This is Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

[FOR PRINT ONLY: tinyurl.com/b6srkkhu ]
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (954:895/7)

SILENT KEY: FORMER FCC CHIEF ENGINEER RAY SPENCE, W4QAW

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

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

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

This is Jim Damron, N8TMW.

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

**

HAMVENTION AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

**

MAJOR INDIAN BROADCASTER HONORS WEST BENGAL HAM

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

(YOUTUBE)

**

IN SEARCH OF 'YOUNG HAM OF THE YEAR'

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

**

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world including the WA7ABU repeater
in Willamette Valley, Oregon, on Saturdays at 6 p.m. local time.
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (954:895/7)

HAMS IN DELAWARE MOBILIZE FOR SURPRISE WEATHER DRILL

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

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

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

This is Randy Sly, W4XJ.

**

NEW CW NET IN IRELAND ATTRACTS 'NERVOUS NOVICES'

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

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

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

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

This is Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

(IRTS)

**

FCC NOMINEE WON'T PURSUE CONFIRMATION

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

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

(WASHINGTON POST)

**

EX-AGENCY OFFICIALS PRESS TO KEEP AM RADIO IN CARS

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

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

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

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

This is Kent Peterson, KC0DGY.

(RADIO WORLD)

**

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the K6TZ repeater,
in Santa Barbara, California, on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. Pacific Time.
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (954:895/7)

CQ MAGAZINE NAMES NEW ASSOCIATE EDITOR

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

(CQ MAGAZINE)

**

SAFE SPLASHDOWN FOR FOUR ISS ASTRONAUTS

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

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

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

This is Andy Morrison, K9AWM.

(CNN.COM)

**

SILENT KEY: QCWA OFFICER GARY J. KIMBALL, WB2SER

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

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

Gary Kimball was 72.

This is Sel Embee, KB3TZD.

(LEGACY.COM. RON PANETTA, WB2WGH)

**

RECORD FINES FOR STATIONS CHARGED WITH PIRACY

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

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

The FCC is awaiting response from both stations.

(RADIO WORLD)

**

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the WM9W repeater
in Chicago, Illinois, shortly after midnight local time on Tuesdays
during the Nightcrawlers Net.
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (954:895/7)

PEI AMATEUR HONORED FOR LIGHTHOUSE ACTIVITY

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

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

All the best, George!

**

A SPACE JOURNEY OF EXPLORATION

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

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

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

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

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

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

This is John Williams, VK4JJW.

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

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

**

AUTISM AWARENESS SPECIAL EVENT BEGINS

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

(QRZ.COM)

**

GETTING TO THE HEART OF THE SUN

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

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

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

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

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

This is Kent Peterson, KC0DGY.

(NEW JERSEY INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, SCI TECH DAILY)
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (954:895/7)

NEW AUSTRALIAN LICENSE PUT ON HOLD

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

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

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

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

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

This is John Williams, VK4JJW.

(AMCA)

**

ANOTHER VOICE WEIGHS IN TO KEEP AM RADIO IN US CARS

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

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

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

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

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

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

This is Kent Peterson, KC0DGY.

(RADIO WORLD)

**

SILENT KEY: EMERGENCY RESPONDER DANIEL RAYMOND, KC1PGR

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

Dan was 57.

(T.H. MERRITT, KL5YJ)

**

THE ART OF ANTENNA EXPERIMENTATION

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

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

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

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

This is Sel Embee, KB3TZD.

(HACKADAY, AMATEUR NEWS WEEKLY, RIT, REDDIT)
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (954:895/7)

SILENT KEY: CONTESTER, WRTC 2022 REFEREE RICHARD KING, K5NA

NEIL/ANCHOR: The World Radiosport Team Championship is going forward this summer in Bologna without one of its key referees, who has become a
Silent Key. Graham Kemp, VK4BB, tells us about him.

GRAHAM: The World Radiosport Team Championship Committee is grieving the
loss of a fellow contester and avid DXer from Texas, Richard King, K5NA. Richard had been chosen to be a referee for the WRTC 2022 event in
Bologna in July.

According to a report on the Daily DX, Richard was electrocuted on April
12th while he was assisting another ham taking down a 40-meter antenna.
The report goes on to say: [quote] "Richard jumped in at the last minute
to try and keep the antenna from getting snagged on a guy wire. The
antenna hit a nearby powerline." [endquote] Two nurses who live in the neighborhood began CPR until emergency services could arrive but Richard
died shortly thereafter. He and his wife Susan, K5DU, are well-known as serious contesters and DXers.

WRTC 2022 organisers issued a statement saying "Richard's contributions
to the sport of amateur radio will not be forgotten and his legacy will continue to inspire and guide us in the years to come." Richard belonged
to the Central Texas DX and Contest Club.

This is Graham Kemp, VK4BB.

**

WRTC CHAMPIONS WITHDRAW FROM COMPETITION

NEIL/ANCHOR: Meanwhile, the defending championship team from Lithuania
has announced that they will not defend their title when the World
Radiosport Team Championship goes forward in July.

The international high-profile contest was postponed from last year
because of the pandemic.

The withdrawal announcement by defending championship team members
Gedimas, LY9A, and Mindaugas, LY4L, was posted on the WRTC 2022
Reflector, citing a number of frustrations and deeper differences with
the organisers that they said will be keeping them at home.

(WRTC 2022 REFLECTOR, WRTC WEBSITE)

**

NEW COURSE IN 'LEARNING HOW TO LEARN' CW

NEIL/ANCHOR: A free course in Comprehensive Instant Character Recognition
is being offered by CW Innovations with the goal of helping active CW operators learn ways to increase their proficiency. The 10-week classes
focus on teaching operators how to help themselves learn Morse Code, addressing the mental and emotional roadblocks that have typically halted learners' progress. The class is designed for hams who can currently copy
10 to 15 words per minute, and are already actively on the air having
QSOs. Visit cwinnovations.net for details. The website includes an
application form.

(CWINNOVATIONS.NET)

**

GRANT ALLOWS YOUTH ON THE AIR AMERICAS CAMP TO EXPAND

NEIL/ANCHOR: What's better than having one great summer camp experience
on the air? Having more of it, of course! That's about to become
possible, as we hear from Kevin Trotman, N5PRE.

KEVIN: Just as young amateurs prepare for this summer's Youth on the Air Americas camp in Canada, camp organizers themselves learned that their
summer experience for young hams has received a $125,000 grant from
Amateur Radio Digital Communications. The funds now assure that the camp experience will continue through 2025 and that each session will become
open to more campers than before. The current threshold of 30 will
increase to 50 in the two years ahead. So pack your bags if you're going
this year: Camp starts on July 16th. And if you want to learn more or
plan ahead for next summer, visit youthontheair.org

This is Kevin Trotman, N5PRE.

(ARDC, YOUTH ON THE AIR CAMP)

**

SCIENTIST TEAM EYES EARLIER MAXIMUM FOR SOLAR CYCLE 25

NEIL/ANCHOR: If you've been wishing for solar maximum to come sooner
rather than later in the current cycle, you might just get your wish, according to a group of solar physicists. Patrick Clark, K8TAC, has that story.

PATRICK: The end of this year - or sometime next year, could bring
maximum sunspot activity for Solar Cycle 25, according to Scott McIntosh
of the National Center for Atmospheric Research, in Boulder, Colorado and
a team of solar physicists. The team presents its findings in a paper in
the January edition of Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences.

In the paper, the solar scientists make use of a terminator event during
the previous cycle - sometime in mid-December 2021 - to project the
maxima of Solar Cycle 25 and to forecast the cycle's amplitude.

Although some might project differently for the future, this team
believes it's best to keep your eye on the skies during the fourth
quarter of 2023 and thereafter into the new year.

This is Patrick Clark, K8TAC.

(FRONTIERS IN ASTRONOMY AND SPACE SCIENCES)
--- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (954:895/7)

INDIAN RESEARCHERS DEVELOP MICRO-SUPERCAPACITOR

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

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

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

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

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

This is Jason Daniels, VK2LAW.

(IEEE SPECTRUM)

**

SILENT KEY: CALGARY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATOR JASON LOW, VE6SRT

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jay was 50.

This is Andy Morrison, K9AWM.

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

**

SILENT KEY: STEVE SZABO, WB4OMM

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

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

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

Steve was 70.

This is Kevin Trotman, N5PRE.

(QRZ, WB4OMM WEBSITE, DIGNITY MEMORIAL)

**

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world including the AH6LE repeater
in Beavercreek and Wilsonville, Oregon, on Sundays at 6 p.m. local time.
--- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (954:895/7)

GRANT FUNDS STUDENT COURSE ON SPECTRUM AT OBSERVATORY

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

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

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

The observatory is a facility of the National Science Foundation.

This is Sel Embee, KB3TZD.

(ARDC)

**

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

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

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

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

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

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

This is Kevin Trotman, N5PRE.

(LEGACY.COM, 3916 FREEWHEELERS NET)

**

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

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

**

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard in bulletin stations around the world including the shortwave
broadcast station of shortwaveradio.de in Lower Saxony, Germany on 6160
kHz AM. The station's European summer schedule will be 07:00 to 17:00 UTC
on weekends, 15:00 to 17:00 UTC Monday to Friday. Broadcasts can also be
heard from 17:00 to 23:00 UTC daily on 3975 kHz AM.
--- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (954:895/7)

DAVE KALTER MEMORIAL YOUTH DX ADVENTURE CANCELLED

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

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

(DARA)

**

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

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

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

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

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

This is Graham Kemp, VK4BB.

(YL BEAM)

**

AMSAT PRESIDENT'S CLUB RELEASES COMMEMORATIVE COIN

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

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

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

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

This is Neil Rapp, WB9VPG.

(AMSAT NEWS SERVICE)

**

NETS OF NOTE: APRS THURSDAY

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

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

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

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

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

This is Patrick Clark, K8TAC.

(APRS NET)

**

NOMINATE NEXT 'YOUNG HAM OF THE YEAR'

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: The deadline is coming up fast for a chance to nominate
your choice for Amateur Radio Newsline's Bill Pasternak Young Ham of the
Year award. Candidates must reside in the continental United States and be
a licensed ham 18 years of age or younger. We are looking for someone who
has talent, promise and a commitment to the spirit of ham radio. Find application forms on our website arnewsline.org under the "YHOTY" tab. Nominations close on May 31st.
--- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (954:895/7)

BILL REINTRODUCED TO PROPOSE HF DIGITAL CHANGES

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

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

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

This is Sel Embee, KB3TZD.

(ARRL, REP. DEBBIE LESKO)

**

FORMER FCC CHAIRMAN NEWTON MINOW DIES AT 97

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

(NPR)

**

POPULAR SATELLITE DECAYS FROM ORBIT

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

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

This is Stephen Kinford, N8WB.

(AMSAT NEWS SERVICE, CAMSAT)

**

HAMS, START YOUR ENGINES FOR THE BIG RACE

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

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

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

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

Reporting from Indianapolis, this is Jack Parker, W8ISH.

**

TRY NEWSLINE'S HAIKU CHALLENGE

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

Our team will pick from the best submissions that follow the 5/7/5
syllable rule and represent the love of amateur radio. Your prize? Glory,
of course! We will share our favorite haiku of the week on the Amateur
Radio Newsline website.

**

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline
heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the AH6LE repeater
on Sundays at 6 p.m. in Beavercreek and Wilsonville Oregon.
--- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (954:895/7)

A SUCCESSFUL HAMVENTION 2023 IS IN THE LOG

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

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

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

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

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

**

US AUTOMAKER WON'T ELIMINATE AM RADIO IN NEW CARS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This is Kent Peterson, KC0DGY.

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

**

EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION RANGE EXPANDS IN SOUTH CAROLINA

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

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

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

This is Kevin Trotman, N5PRE.

(NEWS2)
--- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (954:895/7)

HAMS CLAIM DISTANCE RECORD FOR SATELLITE

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

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

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

This is Neil Rapp, WB9VPG.

(AMATEUR RADIO DAILY, AMSAT)

**

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

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

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

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

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

This is Don Wilbanks, AE5DW.

**

RADIO SOCIETY OF GREAT BRITAIN SEEKS EDITOR

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

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

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

This is Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

(RSGB)

**

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline,
heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the N5OZG repeater
of the Crescent City Amateur Radio Group in Metairie, Louisiana,
following the net on Sundays at 8 p.m.
--- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (954:895/7)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

An Ohio native, Jerry was 85 years old.

This is Randy Sly W4XJ.

(EDDIE MISIEWICZ, KB3YRU)

**

CENTRAL STATES VHF SOCIETY CONFERENCE RETURNS TO ARKANSAS

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

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

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

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

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

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

This is Andy Morrison, K9AWM.

(AMATEUR RADIO DAILY, CENTRAL STATES VHF SOCIETY)

**

ARRL JOINS PROGRAM TO ENHANCE NATIONAL SAFETY

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

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

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

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

(CISA, ARRL)
--- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (954:895/7)

SATELLITE QSOS TO FLY HIGH FOR FIELD DAY

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

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

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

The exchange is the traditional ARRL Field Day Exchange.

This is Sel Embee, KB3TZD.

(AMSAT NEWS SERVICE)

**

NEWSLINE'S NEIL RAPP WB9VPG RECEIVES YASME EXCELLENCE AWARD

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

(YASME FOUNDATION)

**

HAM RADIO HELPS IN DRAMATIC RESCUE IN IDAHO

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

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

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

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

This is Dave Parks, WB8ODF.

(SCOUTING MAGAZINE, THE SEATTLE TIMES)

**

TRY NEWSLINE'S HAIKU CHALLENGE

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

Our team will pick from the best submissions that follow the 5/7/5
syllable rule and represent the love of amateur radio. Your prize? Fame
and glory, of course -- and a featured spot for your haiku on the Amateur Radio Newsline website. Visit our website at arnewsline.org to see this
week's winning haiku.
--- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (954:895/7)

13 COLONIES OPERATING EVENT MARKS 15th YEAR

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I’m Mark Abramowicz, NT3V.

**

SATELLITE ENTHUSIASTS ENCOURAGED TO TAKE THE 'LEDSAT' CHALLENGE

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

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

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

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

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

(EUROPEAN SPACE AGENY, S5LAB, AMSAT NEWS)

**

BUSINESSMAN AND ALMA MATER'S HAM CLUB SHARE A MILESTONE

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

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

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

(W6BHZ.ORG, iFIXIT WEBSITE)
--- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (954:895/7)

HUNT A WRTC COMPETITOR AND COMPETE FOR AN AWARD

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

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

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

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

This is Graham Kemp, VK4BB.

(WRTC)

**

FCC SETS APPLICATION WINDOW FOR LOW-POWER FM STATIONS

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

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

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

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

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

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

This is Kent Peterson, KC0DGY.

(FCC, RADIOWORLD)

**

SATELLITE ENTHUSIASTS REGISTER FOR CONVENTION IN INDIA

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

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

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

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

There will also be plenty of opportunity to socialize.

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

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

[DO NOT READ: oc.beaham.in ]

This is Jim Meachen, ZL2BHF.

(OSCAR INDIA, ARUNAVA DEY VU3XRY)
--- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (954:895/7)

CLIPPERTON ISLAND DXPEDITION TO INCLUDE SATELLITE

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

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

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

This is Neil Rapp, WB9VPG.

(AMSAT, CLIPPERTON ISLAND WEBSITE)

**

HONORS FOR FILM ABOUT HAM CLUB IN SCOTLAND

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

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

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

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

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

This is Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

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

**

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

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

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

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

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

This is Jack Parker, W8ISH.

(WIA, QRZ)

**

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

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

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

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

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

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

This is Jason Daniels, VK2LAW.

(RSSL, YOUTUBE)
--- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (954:895/7)

SCOUTING'S GIRLS, BOYS ON AIR FOR NATIONAL JAMBOREE

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

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

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

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

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

**

COAST-TO-COAST EVENT CELEBRATES RETIRED AIRCRAFT

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

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

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

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

This is Sel Embee, KB3TZD.

(PHILLIP TANNER, VA7XOZ)

**

ROCKALL EXPEDITIONER RESCUED SAFELY

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

(BBC.COM, ROCKALLEXPED.COM)

**

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio
Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world including the
VK8MA repeater in Australia's Northern Territory, on Sundays at 7 p.m.
local time.
--- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (954:895/7)

INDIA'S MOON LANDER MAKES SUCCESSFUL LAUNCH

JIM/ANCHOR: India is hoping to become the fourth nation to achieve a controlled moon landing and, at last reports, its spacecraft was well on
its way. John Williams, VK4JJW, has that report.

JOHN: The launch of the Chandrayaan-3 mission was a historic one for India, which is aiming to achieve a soft lunar landing after the previous mission
in 2019 failed. The Indian Space Research Organization declared its
trajectory a "precise orbit" shortly after its launch on Friday, the 14th
of July. The name of the spacecraft is Sanskrit for "moon craft." It is expected to live up to that name when it makes its intended arrival on the south pole of the lunar surface in late August.

This is John Williams, VK4JJW.

(CNN, ISRO)

**

ELECTRONICS SELLER, A FAVORITE OF HAMS, CLOSING DOORS

JIM/ANCHOR: Another much-loved source of electronics supplies for radio amateurs is about to join the growing list of companies shutting down. It's scheduled to happen next month. We have those details from Ralph Squillace, KK6ITB.

RALPH: All Electronics in Van Nuys California, has provided at least two generations of hobbyists, radio amateurs and tinkerers with a variety of surplus electronics parts and manufacturers' overruns for their projects.
The legendary seller will be closing its doors in the next few weeks -
likely by the end of August. When All Electronics announced earlier this
year that it was calling it quits, the business had already scaled back its previous seven-day-a-week operation for walk-in customers, keeping its
doors open on weekdays only. The company notes on its website that its mail-order business has been brisk lately as the 56-year-old enterprise attempts to close out its warehouse in time for final shutdown.

This is Ralph Squillace, KK6ITB.

(QRZ.COM, ALL ELECTRONICS)

**

HAMS TO PLAY ROLE IN WW2 DRILL RE-ENACTMENT

JIM/ANCHOR: To ensure they are prepared for emergencies and extreme
weather, many hams are accustomed to sharpening their responses through regularly scheduled drills. But the drill that's taking place next month in Mobile, Alabama is for a major event that actually happened more than 70
years ago: It was World War II. Jack Parker, W8ISH, fills in the details.

JACK: There will be a "Call to Battle Stations" sounded on Saturday, August 12th, and those aboard the battleship USS Alabama and submarine USS Drum
will be ready for what is to follow in Battleship Memorial Park. Vintage
enemy aircraft will do a flyover in a mock attack. The crew on board the
ships will fire the vessels' 20mm guns. Meanwhile, radio communications
will go forward with members of the Deep South Amateur Radio Club, also on board, calling QRZ on 20m and 40m. They will be using the club callsign
K4DSR, and the callsign K5LDA.

Unlike the radio amateurs, the crewmen are all re-enactors. Dressed in WWII-era Navy uniforms, they will conduct weapons briefings and
demonstrations while reliving some of the stories of that time. This is a Living History Crew Drill designed to show the public just how things were
in the heat of war so many years ago.

What the members of the Living History Crew share with the hams is that
they are all volunteers. They show that they appreciate the spirit of volunteerism and education by conducting these drills, to bring history to life again, a few times each year.

This is Jack Parker, W8ISH.

(WPMI, FACEBOOK, QRZ)

**

GRANT WILL UPGRADE AMATEUR STATION AT RADIO MUSEUM

JIM/ANCHOR: An infusion of money is helping an all-volunteer museum in New England upgrade its on-site ham radio station. Andy Morrison, K9AWM, tells
us what changes are in store.

ANDY: The Amateur Radio Club of the Vintage Radio and Communications Museum
of Connecticut is about to expand its reach with the help of a grant from Amateur Radio Digital Communications. The on-site club, which has the callsign, W1VCM, intends to add new antennas as well as earth-space
capability to its operations. The club plans to have a high-gain antenna system, a satellite transceiver and computer-controlled tracking giving
better access to QSOs through the International Space Station and several low-earth orbit amateur satellites.

Bob Allison, WB1GCM, president of the amateur radio club, said in a press release that the club's demonstrations of amateur radio have provided encouragement to visitors, some of whom decide they want to become hams
too.

This all adds up to a big plus for the museum as well, according to its director John Ellsworth. He said that the availability of a working radio station complements the museum's role in telling the story of
communication. The museum, which has showcased communications history for
33 years, is run entirely by volunteers, providing opportunities for
children to build crystal radio sets and attend other hands-on classes that bring history - as well as more modern-day technology - into their lives.

Bob told Newsline in an email: [quote] "The spirit of amateur radio is live and well at the Vintage Radio and Communications Museum of Connecticut."

This is Andy Morrison, K9AWM.

(BOB ALLISON, WB1GCM)
--- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (954:895/7)

RADIO OPERATOR NEEDED FOR INDIAN ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION

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

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

This is Graham Kemp, VK4BB.

(NCPOR)

**

SUCCESSFUL ORBIT FOR CUBESATS BUILT IN PHILIPPINES

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

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

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

This is Jason Daniels, VK2LAW.

(AMSAT NEWS, STAMINA4SPACE)

**

CHURCHES AND CHAPELS ON THE AIR GETS FOOTHOLD IN US

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

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

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

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

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

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

This is Kevin Trotman, N5PRE.

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

(JOHN WRESDELL G3XYF; FRANK HOWELL, K4FMH, WACRAL)
--- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (954:895/7)