SILENT KEY: SPACE ADVOCATE CHUCK BIGGS SR., WA5GNB/KC5RG

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

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

(LEGACY.COM)

**

RESEARCHERS' TRANSISTORS OPERATE USING SOUND WAVES

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

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

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

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

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

(IEEE SPECTRUM)

**

CYBERATTACK HITS GERMANY RADIO CLUB WEBSITE

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

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

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

(DARC)

**

NORDIC RADIO SOCIETY PLANS FOR LATEST HF CONFERENCE

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

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

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

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

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

(NORDIC RADIO SOCIETY)

[Note: link is missing - will be re-added later -- the editor has been
emailed. DS]
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* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (954:895/7)

AMATEURS CLAIM NEW QSO DISTANCE RECORDS USING SATELLITES

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

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

(AMSAT NEWS SERVICE)

**

SPECIAL EVENT MARKS 90 YEARS OF AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORP

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

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

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

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

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

(VK90ABC.NET)

**

SPECIAL EVENT STATION BEING HELD AT LINCOLN HISTORIC SITE

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

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

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

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

(NATIONAL TRAIL AMATEUR RADIO CLUB)

**

MYSTERIOUS PULSES DETECTED BY AUSTRALIAN RADIO TELESCOPE

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

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

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

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

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

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world including the W8GK repeater in Charleston, West Virginia on Sundays at 8:30 p.m. local time after check-
ins during the Kanawha Amateur Radio Club Two Meter Net.

**

TIME TO APPLY FOR YOUTH ON THE AIR CAMP

JIM/ANCHOR: It's time to apply for Youth on the Air camp. Stephen Kinford, N8WB, explains how.

STEPHEN: The application period has opened for the Youth on the Air camp
being held June 12th through June 17th. Young amateurs in IARU Region 2
who are ages 15 through 25 are welcome to attend this year's camp which
will take place again at the National Voice of America Museum of
Broadcasting in West Chester Township, Ohio. Application deadline is March
1st and the application process is free. Campers will be notified by March 15th if they are accepted, and those accepted will need to send a $100 deposit. The camp is encouraging young amateurs to attend from different
areas of North, Central and South America. For information about
scholarships, waivers and travel assistance, visit the website YouthOnTheAir.org

If there are changes in the COVID-19 pandemic status or CDC guidelines, organizers are committed to notifying everyone as much in advance as
possible if that has an impact on the camp.

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

(YOUTH ON THE AIR)

**

CONTEST SEEKS YOUNG AMATEURS WITH COMMUNITY SPIRIT

JIM/ANCHOR: Meanwhile, a special honor is awaiting a young amateur who has shown extraordinary care and initiative in helping the community on and
off the air. The Young Ham Lends a Hand Contest is being by Carole Perry, WB2MGP, director of Youth Activities for the Radio Club of America. It is sponsored by the RCA and the Quarter Century Wireless Association. Any
young amateur can be nominated for their volunteer efforts, whether the youngster has aided someone in the military, the community, a senior -- or even has acted as a mentor to other amateurs. The application forms are
due in by the first of April and the winner receives a $100 stipend.

The winner will be announced at the Youth Forum held at Hamvention in
Xenia, Ohio. For details contact Carole Perry at wb2mgp@gmail.com

(CAROLE PERRY, WB2MGP)

**

RSGB PUBLISHES NEW BAND PLANS

JIM/ANCHOR: If you're in the UK, look for the release of the new band
plans. Jeremy Boot, G4NJH, tells us more.

JEREMY: The band plans published each year by the Radio Society of Great Britain are now available.

They are based on the band plans of IARU Region 1, but allow for national variations and special amendments. The 2022 plans can be found in the
February edition of RadCom, the RSGB's magazine. There is also a master version published online as an Excel file which includes all the notes of changes made.

Acting on feedback from amateur radio operators, the Society has added new tabs in the Excel version, labelled by frequency, but hams who prefer the earlier version of labelling by wavelengths retain that option too. The
band plan is expected to be reviewed during the course of the year.

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

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

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the KB3AWQ
repeater in Williamsport Pennsylvania on Thursdays at 9 p.m. Eastern
Time.

**

REGISTER NOW FOR ST. PATRICK'S SPECIAL EVENT

PAUL/ANCHOR: February is a short month so it's not too early to start
thinking about St. Patrick's Day - and that's just what some hams around
the world have been doing. Here's Jeremy Boot, G4NJH, with the details.

JEREMY: Amateurs and shortwave listeners around the world have signed up
to celebrate Saint Patrick's Day and vie for special awards during the 48 hours between the 16th and 18th of March. Organisers of the special St. Patrick's Awards event have created a web page with details that include categories in which radio operators and listeners can compete -- and explanations of how they can qualify for awards. All participants need to visit the web page and register if they plan to apply for an award. All
awards are available as downloadable PDFs after the event has concluded.

Stations in Ireland, Canada and the United States are among those who
have already begun registering. The website lists when they will be on
the air and in what modes, including DMR, PSK and even on the Hamshack Hotline.

The website is stpatricksaward dot com - that's stpatricksaward - all one
word - dot com. (stpatricksaward.com)

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

(ST PATRICK'S AWARD)

**

AMSAT SEEKS VOLUNTEER ENGINEERS FOR PROJECTS

PAUL/ANCHOR: If you're an engineer with some free time to devote to two
of AMSAT's projects, you might just be one of the volunteers they're
looking for. Jack Parker, W8ISH, brings us the details.

JACK: If you're interested in being part of AMSAT's all-volunteer team
working with its FOX-Plus and GOLF CubeSat programs, AMSAT is interested
in hearing from you. The FOX-Plus program needs an electrical engineer
with RF experience who can help design and build the RF communications
for the low-earth orbit CubeSats. Candidates should be familiar with
analog and digital communications protocols and will be working with
digitally synthesized audio for FM modulated VHF/UHF/SHF voice and
telemetry channels. The FOX-Plus and GOLF CubeSat programs also need mechanical engineers whose responsibilities may include analysis of
thermal characteristics of the CubeSat and oversight of the environmental testing procedure. AMSAT requires US citizenship or proof of permanent residency for all candidates for these volunteer positions. CubeSat
experience and a ham radio license is also preferred but not necessary.
For details, send an email to volunteer at amsat dot org. (volunteer@amsat.org)

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

(AMSAT NEWS SERVICE)

**

TIME TO SIGN UP FOR ARDF YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP

PAUL/ANCHOR: There's a big contest planned in Romania to test youngsters' amateur radio direction finding skills -- and the time to sign up is now.
Ed Durrant, DD5LP, tells us how.

ED: Letters of intent are due soon for teams wanting to participate in
the 4th IARU World Youth Amateur Radio Direction Finding Championship
being held this summer in Romania. The event is being hosted by the
Romanian Federation of Radio Amateurs. All letters of intent must be
received no later than March 1st at the email address wyac2022 at gmail
dot com (wyac2022@gmail.com).

The championship will take place June 29th through to July 3rd and will include hunts on 80 and 2m along with an 80m sprint. Saturday will see an awards ceremony and a hamfest.

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

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

VOICE OF AMERICA EVENT LOGS 3,665 QSOs

NEIL/ANCHOR: Congratulations to the organizers of the Voice of America
80th anniversary special event station. Operators logged 3,665 QSOs at stations W3V, W8O and W4A, according to Jocelyn Brault KD8VRX/VA2VRX of
the West Chester Amateur Radio Association. He said that all digital
cards have been sent and certificates will be emailed shortly. Paper QSLs
are expected to be sent out sometime in March.

**

HISTORIC MARCONI HUT DEPICTED IN VIRTUAL 3D MODEL

NEIL/ANCHOR: In England, radio is about to embrace one digital mode yet unknown on the amateur bands: Digital art. Jeremy Boot, G4NJH, has that
story.

JEREMY: Hams in the UK have played a big role in celebrations of the
BBC's centenary this year. The most recent special event station was
heard on the 14th of February as radio operators in Chelmsford called QRZ
as station GB100 2MT [pronounced as GB100 2MT], marking the historic
first transmission from the Marconi Company's Writtle Hut there. The hut
is now going digital with the help of an artist who is creating a digital model of it for inclusion at the Chelmsford Museum. The artist, Sian Fan,
and the museum are calling the exhibit Forecast22 - the Birth of British Broadcasting. The virtual 3D model will include a replica of the 2MT transmitter as well as contents of the building. The exhibit opens in
October.

If you can't get to Chelmsford to take a step inside history, don't
worry. You can take part in the Forecast22 on your mobile phone wherever
in the world you might be. It's a different kind of 'digital DXing' but a fitting option for a celebration that changed the shape and the sound of British broadcasting.

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

(CITYLIFE CHELMSFORD)

**

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the word, including the K5DUR repeater
in Dallas, Texas, on Sundays at 7 p.m. local time.

**

AUSTRALIA PREPARING FOR A WHOLE LOT OF 'MAYHAM'

NEIL/ANCHOR: There are big happenings planned for hams in New South
Wales, Australia. Jason Daniels, VK2LAW, brings us that report.

JASON: Mayham, the largest amateur radio gathering in the Southern
Hemisphere, has an equally large and ambitious agenda for Sunday the 1st
of May. In addition to planning the usual activities, such as pedestrian
and mobile fox hunts, organisers from the Central Coast Amateur Radio
Club are looking for lecturers to deliver talks on a variety of subjects.
Each 45-minute presentation will be followed by no more than 15 minutes
of questions and answers. Formerly known as Wyong Field Day, it has run
over 60 years without a break, even through these COVID years. Mayham is scheduled to be held at the customary location of the Wyong race course.
If you have a presentation you'd like to share with some of Australia's
most enthusiastic radio amateurs, contact Col, VK2ZCO, by emailing ccarc
at ccarc dot org dot au (ccarc@ccarc.dot.org.au) and describe your
proposed lecture. If you're looking to upgrade - or even get - your first licence, contact education coordinator of the club at education at ccarc
dot org dot au (education@ccarc.dot.org.au)

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

(CENTRAL COAST AMATEUR RADIO CLUB)

**

ARISS ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR ISS CONTACTS

NEIL/ANCHOR: If you're interested in learning more about setting up,
hosting and participating in a contact with the ISS through Amateur Radio
on the International Space Station you may want to attend an introductory webinar being hosted by ARISS. It will be held on UTC March 4th - which
is the evening of March 3rd for attendees in North America. The webinar
will help give schools, science centers, museums and other institutions information they need to apply for a contact with the space crew.
Registration for the seminar is required.

Applications for a space-crew contact should be submitted no later than
the 31st of March. Such a contact would ideally draw a large number of attendees and participants and be included in an educational plan
focusing on science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Visit the ARISS-USA website for more details. All contacts are being scheduled for January the 1st through June 30th of 2023.

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

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the N7OEI repeater
in Navajo and Apache counties, Arizona, on Thursdays at 7 p.m. local time.

**

IN NEW ZEALAND, GOING TO ANY LENGTH FOR A QSO

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Many, many amateurs search for the "Biggest and best
antenna." At their recent field day, however, some hams in New Zealand
proved they would go to ANY lengths - and we do mean ANY lengths. Jim
Meachen, ZL2BHF, brings us that story.

JIM: "That's not an antenna! THIS IS AN ANTENNA!" Chris, ZL4RA, led a
group on the South Island of New Zealand, looking to try something
"different" in the 2022 Jock White Memorial Field Day on the last weekend
in February.

Chris had scouted out a ZL3 SOTA Summit. He, Russ, ZL4JW, and Jim, ZL4JI,
had a plan: operating portable with a quarter-kilometre long-wire. Yes, portable. The antenna was to cross a gully pointing north-northeast to
cover NZ and perhaps into VK as well. That's three wavelengths on 80
metres and six on 40 metres! Or, as Chris describes it, "ridiculously
long." It took some effort to install the 20-foot masts in the wind and
rain and to run the wire. One back stake support was a problem due to the strain on it from this length of wire, but it survived."

The results? Success, even with just 100 watts maximum power. Although the antenna bandwidth was a bit narrow, both transmit and receive signals were strong. Saturday brought some unexpected QRM but by Sunday the antenna was truly "going the distance." And that's the long and short of it!

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

(CHRIS RIO ZL4RA)

**

REGISTRATION OPENS FOR SOUTH AFRICAN RADIO LEAGUE SYMPOSIUM

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: If the technical side of amateur radio interests you, this next report from John Williams, VK4JJW, might be of special interest.

JOHN: Registration has begun for the South African Radio League's
technical symposium, which will explore amateur radio technology. The
virtual event is being held on Saturday the 9th of April on the Bluejeans platform. Presenters include Sylvain Azarian, F4GKR, president of IARU
Region 1, who will talk about software defined radio and various ham radio applications. Cor Rademeyer, ZS6CR, will discuss ways to analyse GPS
position data to detect RF propagation disturbances. Brian Jacobs, ZS6YZ,
will update everyone on the league's next-generation beacon project. Other discussions will cover the AMSAT-South Africa AfriCUBE satellites and
SARL100 project, which is preparing for the league's centennial celebration.

The symposium is free for members of SARL and AMSAT-South Africa. Find the link to register in this week's text version of this Newsline report.

[FOR PRINT ONLY, DO NOT READ: https://tinyurl.com/rapc2kdu ]

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

(SOUTH AFRICAN RADIO LEAGUE)

**

THOUSANDS MAKE CONTACT DURING PLUTO SPECIAL EVENT

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: The pileups have quieted down and it's all over, but the counting after the Pluto Anniversary Special event held last month. Randy
Sly, W4XJ, has the numbers.

RANDY: Over 6,500 hams reached for the stars last month but were happy to reach a dwarf planet instead. From February 14th to the 21st, amateur
radio operators celebrated the discovery of Pluto by contacting W7P and
W7P/Ø for the Pluto Anniversary Special Event. This annual countdown will last until the centennial of the discovery in 2030. Most of the operation
took place from a trailer at the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff Arizona
where Clyde Tombaugh changed the understanding of our solar system on
February 18th, 1930.

Held in conjunction with the "I Heart Pluto Festival" at the observatory,
the event is in its second year, organized by the Northern Arizona DX Association, under the coordination of Bob Wertz, NF7E.

The final tally may show as many at 7,500 contacts logged by the 18
operators on W7P and the five operators on W7P/0, which was led by Doug Tombaugh, N3PDT, nephew of the famed astronomer. The team was contacted by stations from all 50 US states and 57 countries. For QSL information, look
up W7P on QRZ.com.

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

**

ACTIVATORS GET TO NAME NEW UNNAMED SUMMITS

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: If you claim it and it has no name, you name it: that's
the concept behind a new challenge from managers of the international HEMA summit awards scheme. Ed Durrant, DD5LP, tells us what's going on.

ED: The Southern Bavaria Association of HEMA added 101 summits to its list
of those that can be activated under the award scheme on February the
26th. HEMA summits have a prominence of between 100 and 150 metres. They
all have a code with a latitude and longitude designation but several are lacking a name. The new option allows the first activator of any summit currently described as "No Name" to give that summit a name within the
HEMA system. The name cannot be rude, slanderous or contain any words that
are trademarked. Otherwise, use your best operating strategy when you're
on the summit and then....come back down and use your imagination: Submit
your log, along with a proposed name.

For details of the scheme, visit HEMA dot ORG dot UK.

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

(DD5LP ASSOCIATION MANAGER HEMA DL)
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* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (954:895/7)

HAWAIIAN HAMS PREP FOR STATEWIDE DRILL

NEIL/ANCHOR: Organizers in Hawaii are looking for amateurs to
participate in an important statewide emergency drill in April.
Christian Cudnik, K0STH, brings us that report.

CHRISTIAN: For hams in Hawaii, the three-hour emergency communications exercise being held by the Hawaii Amateur Radio Emergency Service on
April 16th will be like none of the others held several times each year.
The drill will be conducted following the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program, which standardizes terminology, methodology and
policy used during the exercise. It will simulate a period of
catastrophic rain and wind covering the islands, taking down power,
internet and cell towers. According to Hawaii ARES spokesman Stacy
Holbrook, KH6OWL, a planning team has developed a full incident action
plan using the forms and format of the program's Incident Command System Structure. Stacy told Newsline in an email he was unaware of any other statewide exercises being done in this manner.

Using on-air nets, social media and local clubs, organizers are reaching
out to the more than 3,800 licensed amateurs throughout Hawaii, hoping
to get as many hams as possible on board. The drill is an all-mode, all-
band exercise that makes use of analog, simplex and Digital modes as
well as VHF, UHF and HF. Hams using WINLINK will have the additional
support of an ongoing Zoom meeting to assist with any troubleshooting.

Stacy told Newsline: [quote] "We would love to build relationships with
the fire chiefs, police chiefs, and served agencies in our area so they
know they have another asset they could use if needed." [endquote] He
said the goal is to use the ICS system so everyone is on the same
training level and gets the needed experience with the command structure
and forms.

There is additional information and a signup form on the website hawaiiares.net.

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

(STACY HOLBROOK, KH6OWL)

**

LEADER NEEDED FOR RSGB CONVENTION

NEIL/ANCHOR: The Radio Society of Great Britain needs someone to chair
its upcoming convention. Could that be you? Here's Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

JEREMY: A hybrid convention is on the cards this year for the Radio
Society of Great Britain, which hopes to combine a return to an in-
person event with the best of the online conventions held these past two years.

Planning is already under way but the organisers are in need of a
convention chair. According to the RSGB website, this leader should be
someone familiar with all developments going on in amateur radio and
should be comfortable planning for online events as well as those in
person.

Meanwhile, the team is seeking input from anyone and everyone who would
like to help shape the event which will be held in October. A survey is
posted online for amateurs to share their ideas with the organisers.
It's not necessary to be a member of the RSGB to participate in the
survey. As with the previous two online conventions, the hybrid version
will be providing access to people attending from outside Great Britain.

Visit the website rsgb dot org stroke convention (rsgb.org/convention)
to provide your input and learn more about the vacancy.

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

(RSGB)

**

YOUTH CATEGORY ADDED TO CQ MAGAZINE'S DX MARATHON

NEIL/ANCHOR: Young hams may want to be aware of a new category
introduced this year by CQ magazine in its DX Marathon, which is already
under way. The Youth Category is an overlay category open to any
operator born on January 1st, 1997 or later. There are certificates for
the highest scorer among young operators in each of the six continents.
Visit the rules section of the website at dxmarathon dot com
(dxmarathon.com). And, good luck, everyone!

(CQ MAGAZINE)

**

NOMINATE YOUNG AMATEURS FOR NEWSLINE AWARD

NEIL/ANCHOR: We here at Newsline are asking listeners to think of a
young amateur radio operator with talent, promise and heart. Consider nominating them for Amateur Radio Newsline's Bill Pasternak Memorial
Young Ham of the Year Award. This is our commitment to honoring young
talent 18 years of age or younger who reside in the United States, its possessions, or any Canadian province. 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)

RSGB REOPENS NATIONAL RADIO CENTRE AT BLETCHLEY PARK

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: The National Radio Centre at Bletchley Park has opened
its doors again following a brief COVID-related closure. Jeremy Boot,
G4NJH, brings us up to date about returning to visit.

JEREMY: Visitors are again welcome at the RSGB National Radio Centre at Bletchley Park. The centre reopened on Monday, the 28th of March having
been shut after many members of its volunteer team had fallen ill with COVID-19. While visitors are still encouraged to wear face masks, they
are not now mandatory.

Amateur radio operators will have to wait a little longer to operate from
the GB3RS amateur radio station on site, however, as it remains
unavailable.

The radio room itself is open, however; and groups may visit in small
numbers. RSGB members will be allowed to use their vouchers for free
entry to the centre and it is no longer necessary to book arrival times
in advance.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm 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 J88CU repeater
on Fridays at 6:30 p.m. local time in Kingstown, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

**

HAMVENTION WEEKEND BANQUET WILL HONOR APRS PIONEER

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: If you're going to Hamvention, get your tickets early for
the AMSAT/TAPR Banquet. The dinner is honoring a pioneer who became a
Silent Key this year. Jack Parker, W8ISH, has the details.

JACK: One of the highlights of Dayton Hamvention weekend this May is
expected to be the AMSAT/TAPR Banquet which is being held in honor of
APRS pioneer Bob Bruninga (BREW nin guh), WB4APR. Bob, who became a
Silent Key in February, developed the widely used packet system more than
a quarter century ago, enabling real-time tracking and data transfer over amateur radio frequencies. The dinner is taking place on Friday, May 20th
at 6:30 p.m. local time and will showcase Bob's life and achievements.
Tickets are $57 each, and must be pre-purchased no later than Friday, May
13th from the AMSAT store; they will not be sold at the AMSAT booth. The banquet will take place at the Kohler Presidential Banquet Center in Kettering, Ohio, a 20-minute drive from Hamvention at the fairgrounds in Xenia.

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

(AMSAT, TAPR)

**

TELESCOPE'S DETAILED IMAGES CAPTURE 'ODD RADIO CIRCLES'

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: With the help of a radio telescope in South Africa,
mysterious radio circles in space are becoming a little less mysterious. Graham Kemp, VK4BB, tells us about that telescope's recent discovery.

GRAHAM: The South African Radio Astronomy Observatory has captured the
most detailed images to date of what are known as ORCs, for "odd radio circles," in a discovery astronomers are calling unprecedented. The
circles themselves are nothing new: The first three were discovered in
2019 by astronomers at Australia's national science agency CSIRO using
the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder. Archival data from
radio telescope imagery in India in 2013 contained the fourth image. The Australian radio telescope identified a fifth one last year. Scientists
are curious as to why ORCs show up in radio waves but are undetected by optical or X-ray telescopes.

Astronomers theorise that the huge circles take about 1 billion years to
reach their maximum size. Their diameter is said to be 10 times the
diameter of the Milky Way, measuring about a million light-years across.
Some have a galaxy at their centres.

ORCs beam out radio signals every 18 minutes on average but little else
is known about them. That could change. Scientists said that with the
newest images from South Africa's high resolution radio telescope, they
may be a bit closer to understanding them better.

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

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

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio
Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the
East Coast Reflector on Sundays at 1 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, where
more than 240 repeaters and simplex nodes rebroadcast our newscast.

**

SUMMITS ON THE AIR BEGINS ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

JIM/ANCHOR: This is an exciting year for amateurs who are active in the Summits on the Air awards scheme. We hear what's going on from Ed
Durrant, DD5LP.

ED: Just as hams in the Summits on the Air award scheme rise through the
tier of awards to increase their standing, so too has the awards scheme
scaled new heights. For the past month, SOTA has been marking its 20th anniversary in England and Wales, the birthplaces of the programme,
which now has more than 24,000 participants on all the major continents. During April, SOTA management team member Tom Read, M1EYP, will be
operating special event station GB20SOTA from the summit of "The Cloud",
which is designated as G/SP-015 in the SOTA award scheme. Additional
special event calls will be on the air throughout this year as hams in Northern Ireland, Scotland and the United States mark the occasion. The celebration kicked off last month with summit activations by GW association manager Roger Dallimore, MW0IDX, under the GB2OTA call sign in Wales. Free commemorative certificates will be available.

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

**

LICENSE DELAYS TEST PATIENCE OF BRAZIL'S RADIO APPLICANTS

JIM/ANCHOR: Impatient over ongoing delays, applicants for Brazil's
amateur radio license are applying even more pressure on officials.
Jeremy Boot, G4NJH, brings us that update.

JEREMY: In Brazil, the long wait has become even longer as applicants
waiting for their radio amateur licence report that at least six months
have passed in some cases and they are growing impatient.

Brazil's national amateur radio society has asked ANATEL, the nation's regulator, to act promptly and resolve the delays for the waiting
candidates. The group is asking the regulator to modernise its computer
system and standardise processes across all of the Brazilian states. The amateur organisation, known as Liga de Amadores Brasileiros de Rádio
Emissão (LABRE), believes the system incompatibility has resulted in
long wait times that have discouraged candidates from seeking licences.

The Brazilian amateurs' latest plea comes in the form of a petition,
following unsuccessful attempts at progress during meetings held in
person as well as remotely between LABRE and ANATEL.

The petition can be seen at the website that appears in the text version
of this week's newscast. It is in Portuguese with a Google translation
to English available.

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

[FOR PRINT ONLY, DO NOT READ:

https://www.change.org/p/radioamadores-unidos-exigem-celeridade-e- moderniza%C3%A7%C3%A3o-dos-sistemas-da-anatel ]

(above URL all on one line)

(LABRE, SOUTHGATE)
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
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NOMINATE YOUNG AMATEURS FOR NEWSLINE AWARD

NEIL/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.

**

AMATEUR RADIO VETERAN FOCUSES ON SHARING WELL-HONED SkILLSET

NEIL/ANCHOR: Many hams use the opportunity of retirement from their
paying jobs to "pay it forward" to the amateur radio community. Paul
Braun, WD9GCO, tells us about one such amateur.

PAUL: One of the challenges many amateur radio clubs face is finding a constant flow of presenters to keep meetings interesting. John Portune,
W6NBC, a former electronics industry writer and educator, as well as a frequent contributor to QST and other related publications, is offering
a partial solution. Portune has developed a series of presentations on a variety of topics and has made himself available to present them.
Portune said he was looking for something to do now that he's retired,
so he decided that volunteering to teach on a variety of ham topics fit
right in with his skillset.

Portune gave a presentation to the Porter County Amateur Radio Club in
Indiana on Friday, April 8th. His topic was the design and construction
of a 10-meter Moxon antenna. If you'd like to see it, check the link in
the printed version of this week's report. He can be reached through his website, w6nbc.com

FOR PRINT ONLY: https://youtu.be/wdyLRprTJRU

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

**

POTA OPERATORS ACTIVATE "SUPPORT YOUR PARKS" EVENT

NEIL/ANCHOR: Parks activators are celebrating spring in a big way. Vance Martin, N3VEM, tells us what they've been up to.

VANCE: In Parks on the Air News, we hope you'll join us in just a few
days for the spring "Support Your Parks" event on April 16th and 17th
UTC. If the past is any indication, there could be anywhere from six to
eight hundred operators putting parks on the air for the weekend event.
This is a great opportunity to get out portable and activate some parks
as the weather turns warm, or just stay home and have plenty of parks to chase. It's also an excellent opportunity to practice and prepare for
the summer's big activity - our annual plaque event. This year, that
happens on July 16th and 17th UTC. All of our plaques, including the
three new DX activator plaques, are now fully sponsored thanks to a
number of generous hams. More information about the summer event will be coming over the next couple months, so stay tuned to these monthly POTA updates, and the plaque event section of pota.app. This is November
Three Victor Echo Mike.

(POTA)

**

DX ASSOCIATION NAMES HUMANITARIAN FUND FOR ITS FOUNDER, NOW A SILENT KEY

NEIL/ANCHOR: The fund created by a noted DXer and humanitarian now
carries his name. Jason Daniels, VK2LAW, gives us the details.

JASON: Out of grief has come a renewed commitment to generosity. Still mourning the recent loss of friend and benefactor Zorro Miyazawa,
JH1AJT, the International DX Association has added his name to the humanitarian aid fund Zorro created and endowed in January of 2016.
INDEXA's Humanitarian Aid Fund is now known as The Zorro Miyazawa,
JH1AJT, Hams with Hearts Fund. The funds are used to provide assistance
to any humanitarian aid projects undertaken by amateurs during their DXpeditions. The announcement on the INDEXA website noted that the
tagline reflects "Zorro's character and values," adding [quote] "INDEXA
is proud and grateful to be able to sustain Zorro's legacy through this
fund." [endquote] Zorro, who was known as much for his role as a
humanitarian as a ham, became a Silent Key in March.

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

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

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline,
heard on bulletin stations around the world including the W-ZERO-EF
repeater in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, on Saturdays at 9:30 a.m.

**

ONLINE COURSE GETS UNDER WAY FOR CANADIAN LICENSE

SKEETER/ANCHOR: Classes are getting started for Canada's basic operating certificate -- and the course is being offered online. Dave Parks,
WB8ODF, has the details.

DAVE: Candidates for Canada's basic level amateur radio operator
certificate are beginning their studies on Sunday, April 24th and will continue through Thursday, June 30th. This is an online course for
anyone interested in a Canadian operating certificate, including
candidates in overseas countries. The classes are being conducted with
the help of the Annapolis Valley Amateur Radio Club of Nova Scotia. The coursework prepares candidates for the Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada Basic Qualification Level Operator Certificate exam.
Al Penney, VO1NO, is the instructor for the three-hour classes which
meet on Thursday evenings and Sunday afternoons. To enquire about costs
and registration, contact the course administrator via email at
basiccourse - that's one word - at rac dot ca (basiccourse@rac.ca.) The sessions are being recorded so should anyone miss a class they may catch
up on the material.

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

(RADIO AMATEURS OF CANADA)

**

TEEN EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM GETS HIGH GOVERNMENT HONORS

SKEETER/ANCHOR: An emergency-response team of teens - some of them
amateur radio operators - has received an award from a top U.S.
government agency. Kevin Trotman, N5PRE, has the details.

KEVIN: A high school emergency response team that includes several
amateur radio operators has been recognized by federal officials for
their crisis preparedness work. The U.S. Federal Emergency Management
Agency, or FEMA, has presented its Region 6 Youth Preparedness Award to
the Clovis High School Teen Community Emergency Response Team in Clovis,
New Mexico. The team is known by the acronym CERT. The team has been
training under the guidance of the city's emergency management director,
Dan Heerding, KG5DTV, who shares the award with them. According to a
news story on the KCBD-TV website, the young CERT members have already
been deployed to three community events and collectively donated 856
hours of their time.

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

(SOUTHGATE, KCBD-TV)

**

NASA SPECIAL EVENT STATIONS HONOR APOLLO 16 ANNIVERSARY

SKEETER/ANCHOR: It's been 50 years since the historic moon mission known
as Apollo 16. Amateurs around the US will agree: that's reason to
activate some special event stations. Paul Braun, WD9GCO, has those
details.

PAUL: If you remember NASA's Apollo 16 moon mission - or even if you
weren't around back then - you don't want to miss the 50th anniversary celebration of that historic journey, which was the fifth moon landing mission. NASA on the Air special event stations around the United States
will be on the bands between Saturday April 23rd and Wednesday April
27th marking the milestone. Different local NASA radio clubs will be
active at different hours so check the spotting clusters or the NASA on
the Air wordpress blog site. The many participating clubs at NASA sites include the Ames Research Center Amateur Radio Club, NA6MF, in
California; the Glenn Research Center club, NA8SA, in Ohio; the Goddard
Space Flight Center club, WA3NAN, in Maryland and the Stennis Space
Center club, N5SSC, in Mississippi.

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

(AMSAT NEWS SERVICE, NASA ON THE AIR BLOG, NASA)
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HAMS PREP FOR ARMED FORCES DAY CROSS-BAND EXERCISE

DON/ANCHOR: May is a busy month in the United States on the amateur radio calendar. There's Hamvention opening on the 20th of May - and just a week before, on May 14th, there's the Armed Forces Day Cross-Band exercise.
Jack Parker, W8ISH, has the details.

JACK: Ham radio and government radio operators will be sharing messages
and testing their operating efficiency starting at 1300 UTC on May 14th in
an exercise hosted by the US Army Military Auxiliary Radio System, or
MARS. They'll be taking part in the Armed Forces Day Cross-Band exercise,
an interoperability event with a history that goes back more than 50
years. Hams will be listening for stations on US military frequencies and transmitting on nearby amateur frequencies. Participating hams will be
able to confirm their contacts with a QSL card. Hams copying messages from
US Army and US Navy stations can request a QSL card online using the form
at the website that appears in the text version of this week's newscast at arnewsline.org

FOR PRINT ONLY: https://www.usarmymars.org/events ]

Hams seeking a QSL card from US Air Force stations whose messages they
have copied should send a request by mail to the Armed Forces Day
Celebration, Chief, Air Force MARS, 203 West Losey Street, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois 62225.

According to the Department of Defense website, the numerous military
stations transmitting messages will include Travis Air Force Base in California, the Newport Naval Radio Station Museum in Newport, Rhode
Island, the US Coast Guard Base in Alameda, California, the Pentagon in Washington DC and the Barrow Army Reserve Center in Kentucky.

Although Armed Forces Day is May 21st, the test is being run a week
earlier to accommodate Hamvention.

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

(US DEPT OF DEFENSE)

**

MAINE AMATEURS RECEIVE TRAINING TO ASSIST DISASTER RESPONDERS

DON/ANCHOR: A group of amateurs in the state of Maine feels a little more ready for the next big emergency to come along. They've just completed
some important training. Kevin Trotman, N5PRE, tells us more.

KEVIN: Members of the Aroostook [pronounced: uh-ROO-stick] County Amateur Radio Emergency Services just got another tool to add to their amateur
radio kit: Training to function as CERT, the acronym for Citizen Emergency Response Team.

Brian Goff, KC1NHJ, the community outreach planner for the county's
emergency management agency, told WAGM-TV that the CERT members provide support to search and rescue personnel as well as those administering
first aid. He said even if the hams are not directly involved in providing
the actual hands-on assistance, their use of radios is invaluable in
getting the word out especially if cell towers may not be working.

Their training took place on a Saturday in the middle of April. The CERT members' first big test will come in just a matter of weeks when they will test their new skills by participating in an emergency drill.

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

(WAGM-TV)

**

FCC FILING SYSTEM SHUTS DOWN ON FIRST DAY OF NEW FEE

DON/ANCHOR: On the day the FCC's new ham radio license application fees
took effect, a system outage halted the agency's electronic batch filing system and files could not be processed. The ARRL Volunteer Examiner Coordinator sent out a notice to league members making them aware of the shutdown that occurred on Tuesday, April 19th. The FCC had asked that no further files be submitted for exam sessions or license applications until
the issue could be resolved. The system was back on line, however, a few
days later. The Volunteer Examiner Coordinator sent a notice to league
members on Saturday, April 23rd saying that processing was restored and business could proceed as usual. The FCC was expected to begin reducing
the backlog even as new files arrived. The FCC has previously said that
the new $35 charge was necessary to cover staff costs associated with the application process, even though the review system is largely automated.

(ARRL, FCC)

**

INDIAN ENGINEERING SCHOOL HOSTS 2-DAY INTRO TO AMATEUR RADIO

DON/ANCHOR: One of India's pre-eminent engineering universities was the
scene of a workshop on amateur radio basics. Graham Kemp, VK4BB, gives us
that report.

GRAHAM: More than three dozen engineering and science students and their instructors were introduced to amateur radio and all its elements during a workshop held April 5th and 6th in Gujarat, India. Rajesh Vagadia, VU2EXP, regional coordinator of AMSAT-India, gave the presentation at PDEU, one of
the Indian state's top engineering schools.

In addition to gaining familiarity with various types of amateur radio equipment and the modes of communication, the students watched practical demonstrations, including Slow Scan TV, PSK-31 and Morse Code and learned
to operate an HT. They also heard the stories behind many of the QSL cards
on display throughout the two-day programme. Some careful planning ahead allowed the students to experience amateur radio contacts using the AO-91 Cubesat and had prearranged QSOs with Lucky, VU2LBW, and Kaustav, VU2UUU.

Rajesh wrote that both four-hour days had a packed schedule and he hoped
the students had gained insights into amateur radio's popularity and possibilities.

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

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

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline
heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the K5DUR repeater
in Rowlett, Texas, on Sundays at 7 p.m. local time.

**

NOMINATION DEADLINE NEARS FOR YOUNG HAM OF THE YEAR AWARD

SKEETER/ANCHOR: The nomination deadline is closer than you think for the Amateur Radio Newsline Bill Pasternak Memorial Young Ham of the Year
Award. This honor is given to a young radio operator with the kind of
skill and dedication so valued by Newsline's late cofounder Bill
Pasternak WA6ITF. Perhaps one of these youngsters will be the next award recipient. Consider nominating an amateur radio operator 18 years of age
or younger in the continental United States with talent, promise and a commitment to the spirit of ham radio. Find application forms on our
website arnewsline.org under the "YHOTY" tab. Nominations close May
31st - and that is coming up fast.

**

SCOUTS OFFER HAMVENTION LANYARDS AND TICKET LAMINATION

SKEETER/ANCHOR: Are you headed to Hamvention? If you're looking for an inexpensive but extremely handy Hamvention souvenir, the Boy Scouts
Venture Crew 73 has just what you need, and Don Wilbanks, AE5DW, has what
you need to know.

DON: Once again, the best Hamvention souvenir is one of the least
expensive and most useful. It's the 2022 Hamvention lanyard available
from the Boy Scouts Venture Crew 73, led by George Ewing, WD8NHI. As you
get ready to pass inside the main gate at the Greene County Fairgrounds
look for the Venture Crew tent. Go inside and for just $5 you can get
your Hamvention 2022 lanyard and have your Hamvention ticket laminated to
hang around your neck. No more fumbling for your ticket at the entrance
to the tents and buildings, your ticket is right there and visible for security to see. Best of all, you can't lose your ticket! While you're
at it go ahead get the full color Hamvention 2022 patch from the Scouts,
also $5. This patch features a loop so you can hang it securely from,
you guessed it, your lanyard! If you're in too much of a hurry to get
inside the gate, you can pass by booth 4011 in the building with the
prize drum and get your lanyard and patch there. It also makes a great
gift for your ham friends who couldn't make it to Hamvention this year
and as gifts for the next club meeting or prizes for the next hamfest.
Support Venture Crew 73 and get one of the most useful and least
expensive items at Hamvention. That's a win all the way around.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Don Wilbanks, AE5DW.

**

HAM RADIO JOINS SWISS 'ADVENTURE EXPERIENCE'

SKEETER: TunBasel (Tunn Bah-Zull), an interactive adventure experience
for young people in Switzerland, is encouraging children to engage in
playful experiments with everything from soap to digital avatars to
amateur radio. Youngsters from 7 to 13 years of age will combine
recreation with learning in this science-focused environment over the
course of several days. On May 22nd, the Union of Swiss Shortwave
Amateurs, or USKA, will be among the presenters, which includes an array
of noted universities. The hams will demonstrate shortwave, UHF and VHF communications and guide the children through a kit-building exercise.
The TunBasel website says the event is designed to showcase and nurture
young talent.

(SOUTHGATE)

**

AUSTRALIAN REGULATOR MAKES FEE-CALCULATION TOOL AVAILABLE

SKEETER/ANCHOR: The sometimes confusing task of figuring out the correct
fee for an apparatus license in Australia could become a little less
confusing soon. Graham Kemp, VK4BB, explains.

GRAHAM: Hams in Australia have a new tool to help them calculate the
apparatus licence fee for their shacks. The Australian Communications and Media Authority has made a fee calculator available to help find what the
AMCA is calling "the most cost-efficient licence option" for amateurs and holders of other radio licences. The fees relate to the operation of a radiofrequency transmitter or receiver.

The ACMA has said that the calculator will receive regular updates with respect to pricing and other options. For a link to the calculator, see
the text version of this week's Newsline script at arnewsline.org

[FOR PRINT, DO NOT READ: http://www.openspec.com.au/fee-calculator ]

For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Graham Kemp VK4BB.

(ACMA)
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BREAK HERE:

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

**

EU COUNTRIES TO STANDARDIZE CHARGERS FOR HANDHELD ELECTRONICS

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

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

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

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

(WASHINGTON POST, NPR, TECHMONITOR)

**

ITU's AMATEUR STATION MARKS 60 YEARS ON AIR

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

(ITU)

**

FINALISTS ANNOUNCED IN IARU REGION 1 HAM CHALLENGE

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

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

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

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

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

(IARU REGION 1)

**

SABLE ISLAND DXPEDITION LAUNCHES WEBSITE

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

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

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

Visit the website regularly for updates.

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

(SABLE ISLAND DXPEDITION WEBSITE)
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THIRTEEN COLONIES SPECIAL EVENT RUNS THROUGH JULY 8TH

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

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

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

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

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

(13 COLONIES SPECIAL EVENT)

**

SHOPPING FOR QSOS AT WALMART

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

**

SOUTH AFRICA ANNOUNCES NEWEST LICENSEES

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

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

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

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

(SOUTHGATE, SARL)

**

WORKSHOP EXPLORES DISASTER COMMUNICATION AND THE PRESS

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

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

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

(ASIAN COMMUNITY NEWS, AMBARISH NAG BISWAS, VU2JFA)
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (954:895/7)

BREAK HERE:

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

**

IARU REGION 1 ANNOUNCES WINNERS IN 1st HAMCHALLENGE CONTEST

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

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

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

This is Ed Durrant, DD5LP.

(IARU, SOUTHGATE)

**

RADIO PREPAREDNESS PROJECT BEGINS IN TRIPURA

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

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

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

This is Jim Meachen, ZL2BHF.

(NORTHEAST TODAY)

**

HAMS TOLD TO SHARE FREQUENCIES DURING PARIS OLYMPICS

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

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

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

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

This is Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

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

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio
Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the
WB5ITT repeater of the Triangle Repeater Association in Houston,
Texas, on Mondays at 7:30 p.m.

**

SCIENTISTS ANNOUNCE KEY TO SMALLER CAPACITORS

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

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

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

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

I'm Kevin Trotman, N5PRE.

(IEEE SPECTRUM)

**

WORLD OF DX

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

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

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

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

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

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

(OHIO PENN DX, DX-WORLD.NET)
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (954:895/7)

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio
Newsline heard on bulletin stations around the world including the
WB0QXW repeaters in St. Louis, Missouri, on Monday nights following the
World Friendship Net which begins at 7 p.m. local time on EchoLink.

**

NEW YOUNG AMATEURS LICENSED IN SOUTH AFRICA

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

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

I'm Graham Kemp, VK4BB.

**

HAM RADIO ARCHIVE TO DIGITIZE CLUB, PERSONAL DOCUMENTS

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

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

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

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

I'm Andy Morrison, K9AWM.

(GIZMODO, HACKADAY, INTERNET ARCHIVE BLOG)

**

WEST VIRGINIA STUDENTS FORM COLLEGE HAM CLUB

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

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

(JACOB WRISTON, KE8PWC)
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* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (954:895/7)

WEST BENGAL HAMS ENSURE PILGRIMS' SAFETY

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

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

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

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

This is Jim Meachen, ZL2BHF.

(AMBARISH NAG BISWAS, VU2JFA, THE HINDU)

***

BBC FEATURES THE LEADING VOICES OF CW EDUCATORS

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

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

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

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

I'm Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

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

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

**

RADIO RELAY INTERNATIONAL EXPANDS ITS REACH

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

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

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

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

This is Christian Cudnik, K0STH.

(JAMES WADES, WB8SIW)

**

YOUTH DX ADVENTURE GROUP RETURNING TO CURACAO

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

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

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

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

This is Andy Morrison, K9AWM.

[DO NOT READ: qsl.net/n6jrl ]

[JIM STORMS, AB8YK]
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (954:895/7)

FREE MAGAZINE FOR IRISH HAMS MARKS ITS 2ND YEAR

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

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

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

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

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

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

This is Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

(STEVE WRIGHT, EI5DD)

**

HAMS PLAN SYMPOSIUM FOR OPERATING IN MARITIME CANADA

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

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

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

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

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

This is Andy Morrison, K9AWM.

(JOHN VE1CWJ)

**

VANUATU DXPEDITION SHIFTS DATE TO OCTOBER 2024

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

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

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

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

This is John Williams, VK4JJW.

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

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the AH6LE repeater
in Beavercreek and Wilsonville Oregon on Sundays at 6 p.m. local time.

**

CW/AM EVENT CELEBRATES VINTAGE GEAR

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

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

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

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

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

This is Kevin Trotman, N5PRE.

DO NOT READ:

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

**

FCC CREATES ROOM FOR 16 NEW FM RADIO STATIONS

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

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

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

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

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

This is Kent Peterson, KC0DGY.

(FCC, RADIOWORLD)

**

HOTEL BOOKINGS BEGIN FOR WRTC IN BOLOGNA

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

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

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

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

This is John Williams, VK4JJW.

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

FIRST-TIME PARTNERSHIP FOR WORLD AMATEUR RADIO DAY

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

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

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

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

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

This is John Williams, VK4JJW.

(IARU REGION 1)

**

PARKS ON THE AIR INTRODUCES 48-HOUR CONTEST

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

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

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

This is Dave Parks, WB8ODF.

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

[FOR PRINT ONLY:

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

**

LONGTIME 40M NET IN INDIA AVAILABLE AS LIVE STREAM

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

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

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

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

This is Jim Meachen, ZL2BHF.

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

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

DAMAGE TOPPLES VITAL NEBRASKA COMMUNICATIONS TOWER

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

(RURALRADIO.COM)

**

'ROVER' CATEGORY ADDED TO VIRGINIA QSO PARTY

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

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

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

This is Sel Embee, KB3TZD.

(QRZ.COM)

**

CB RADIO MARKET GROWS FOR FM MODE

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

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

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

This is Jack Parker, W8ISH.

(RADIO WORLD, CCJDIGITAL.COM, FCC)

**

WORLD OF DX

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

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

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

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

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

UK NATIONAL HAMFEST CANCELLED FOR 2023

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

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

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

This is Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

(UK NATIONAL HAMFEST)

**

PROMINENT AMATEUR'S BOOK EXPLORES RADIO'S POTENTIAL

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

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

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

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

This is Graham Kemp, VK4BB.

(TELANGANA TODAY, AMAZON.IN)

**

HAMS IN AUSTRALIA PREP FOR 'ANTENNAPALOOZA'

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

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

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

This is Jason Daniels, VK2LAW.

(ANTENNAPALOOZA WEBSITE)

**

BROADCASTER SHUTS LONGWAVE RADIO TRANSMITTER IN ICELAND

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

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

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

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

This is Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

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

BREAK HERE:

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

**

A VIRTUAL VISIT TO BOUVET ISLAND

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

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

(YOUTUBE, AMATEUR RADIO WEEKLY)

**

FOR YOUNG ACTIVATOR IN AUSTRALIA, A PEAK AT GLORY

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

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

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

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

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

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

This is Graham Kemp, VK4BB.

(GROUPS.IO)

**

WORLD OF DX

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

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

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

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

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

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

BREAK HERE:

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

**

COME TO OUR TOWN HALL FORUM AT HAMVENTION

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

**

TEMPORARY UK CALLSIGN PREFIX OK'D FOR CORONATION

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

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

(RSGB)

**

IN PURSUIT OF STOATS AND QSOS ON SECRETARY ISLAND

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

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

It was a good beginning.

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

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

This is Jim Meachen, ZL2BHF.

[FOR PRINT, DO NOT READ:

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

(above URL all on one line)

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

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the N0LAR repeater,
of the Lamar Area Amateur Radio Club in southeast Colorado, or on FM radio station KRHJ on 88.3 MHz on Fridays at 5 p.m.

**

HUNGARIAN HAMS' SURVEY EXPLORES YOUTH, OTHER ISSUES

NEIL/ANCHOR: Hams in Hungary's national ham radio society want to hear
from you. Jeremy Boot, G4NJH, tells us why.

JEREMY: Hams around the world are being invited to provide their views
and share their experiences about amateur radio through an online survey
from the Hungarian Amateur Radio Society. The short survey asks questions about your personal preferences and radio history but also wants to know
what your priorities are -- whether it is your operating preferences,
your expectations from membership in a national society or the roles you
think a local club should have. There are also questions about whether
you know very many active younger operators. The society is interested in having the survey responses in time for the Youngsters on the Air Region
1 camp which it is hosting from the 5th to the 12th of August in Hungary.
The group would also like to present the survey results at the IARU
general conference in November.

A link to the survey appears in the text version of this week's Newsline script at arnewsline.org

[DO NOT READ: https://mrasz.org/state-of-hamradio ]

This is Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

(HUNGARIAN AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY)

NEIL/ANCHOR: Hams in the US may notice when they take the survey that the question about license class does not include the option to select the
level of FCC license. The creators of the survey recommend that US hams
use HAREC for Extra, NOVICE for General and other classes and ENTRY for Technician.

**

NATIONAL VOA MUSEUM EXPANDS HOURS FOR HAMVENTION

NEIL/ANCHOR: One of the biggest ham radio weekends in the United States
is about to get a little bigger. Here's Jack Parker, W8ISH, with that
update.

JACK: If Hamvention doesn't give you a big enough dose of amateur radio
when you're in Xenia next month, take a side trip to the National Voice
of America Museum of Broadcasting in nearby West Chester, Ohio. The
museum expands their hours for visitors during Hamvention and features
new exhibits including a dedicated room for shortwave equipment and
amateur radio. Other exhibits include a complete collection of R.L. Drake
Ham Radio equipment that was originally in the lobby of the R.L. Drake
Corp. in Miamisburg, Ohio.

The on-site WC8VOA ham shack has new, updated equipment and yes, the
station will be on the air for guest operators. The museum's expanded
hours are Thursday May 18th and Friday May 19th from 1 to 9 p.m.;
Saturday May 20th from noon to 9 p.m. and Sunday, May 21st from noon to 5
p.m. so that you can plan on a weekend of total radio immersion.

You can find more details on the museum website at voamuseum.org

This is Jack Parker, W8ISH.

(JOCELYN BRAULT, KD8VRX/VA2VRX; VOICE OF AMERICA MUSEUM)

**

GRIDTRACKER TEAM WINS SOFTWARE AWARD

NEIL/ANCHOR: Hams who are fans of Gridtracker will be happy to learn
they're not alone: Its development team just won a major award. Here's
Ralph Squillace, KK6ITB, with the details.

RALPH: Congratulations to Stephen Loomis, N0TTL, and the team that
produced Gridtracker.org, for becoming recipients of the fourth annual
Amateur Radio Software Award. This international honor recognizes free,
open projects developed in the spirit of sharing to enhance amateur radio operations everywhere. According to the award website, Gridtracker was
chosen for its ability to focus on visualizing radio traffic on FT8 and
other modes, simplifying the process of tracking contacts, especially in contests.

In the same spirit of sharing that helped create Gridtracker, Stephen,
who lives in Oregon, has asked the awards committee to provide a $300
grant to the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Oregon. The nonprofit advocacy, resource and educational organization works to help those who
have mental illness and assists their families.

This is Ralph Squillace, KK6ITB.

(AMATEUR RADIO SOFTWARE AWARD, AMATEUR RADIO WEEKLY, GRIDTRACKER)

**

BOUVET DXPEDITION VETERAN TO ACTIVATE IN FIJI

NEIL/ANCHOR: One member of the team is back home from the recent Bouvet
Island 3Y0J DXpedition but not for long. John Williams, VK4JJW, tells us
what he's got planned next.

JOHN: Cezar, VE3LYC, is getting ready to put one of the Fiji islands back
on the air after too many years of things being quiet there. Yanuca
Island, IOTA Number OC-189, was activated first in 1993 and again in 2007
- but there's been no radio operation there since then. Cezar will be on
the air May 1st through the 5th using the callsign 3D2LYC. DX World.net reports that his goal is to log 4,000 QSOs with 2,500 unique stations on
six continents. He will be on most of the HF bands and will operate both
CW and SSB.

While not as harsh an environment as the one found on remote Bouvet
Island, Yanuca does not have any visitor accommodation. Cezar said he has
been able to locate a generator and gas as well as food and water to use during his stay.

This is John Willliams, VK4JJW.

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

NETS OF NOTE: THE HOUSTON AMSAT NET

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

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

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

This is Neil Rapp, WB9VPG.

(AMSAT NEWS SERVICE)

**

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

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

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

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

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

This is Randy Sly, W4XJ.

**

HAMS WORLDWIDE MARK WORLD AMATEUR RADIO DAY

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

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

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

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

This is John Williams, VK4JJW.

(FACEBOOK, IARU, SOUTH AFRICAN RADIO LEAGUE)

**

NOMINATE NEXT 'YOUNG HAM OF THE YEAR'

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

MILLING ABOUT ON THE AIR FOR A SPECIAL RADIO EVENT

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

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

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

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

This is John Williams, VK4JJW.

(DDARS.NET, MILLS ON THE AIR)

**

CELLPHONE USERS LOG DIRECT CONTACT VIA SATELLITE

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

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

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

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

This is Kent Peterson, KC0DGY.

(THE VERGE)

**

UK HAMS MARK ANNIVERSARY OF 'DAM BUSTERS RAID'

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This is Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

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

BREAK HERE:

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

**

DIGITAL LIBRARY OF HAM RADIO EXPANDS COLLECTION

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

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

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

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

This is Jack Parker, W8ISH.

(KAY SAVETZ, K6KJN)

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

**

NEW HAM RADIO MUSEUM OPENS IN OHIO

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

(THE DAILY JEFFERSONIAN, GYPSY ROAD TRIP.COM)

**

RESEARCHERS CREATE THINNER, DENSER COMPUTER CHIPS

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

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

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

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

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

This is Kent Peterson, KC0DGY.

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

NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR AMSAT BOARD OF DIRECTORS

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

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

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

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

(AMSAT NEWS)

**

KEEP LISTENING FOR CORONATION STATIONS

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

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

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

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

This is Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

(RSGB)

**

AUSTRALIAN HAMS OFFER A QSO WITH A 'VAMPIRE'

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM, MANLY WARRINGAH RADIO SOCIETY)

**

NOMINATE OUR NEXT 'YOUNG HAM OF THE YEAR'

DON/ANCHOR: We remind our listeners that you still have an opportunity to nominate a promising young radio amateur - but time runs out at the end
of this month. Young hams who live in the continental United States have
an opportunity to make news of their own in the world, if they aren't
already doing so, by being a recipient of this year's Amateur Radio
Newsline Bill Pasternak Memorial Young Ham of the Year Award. Think of an amateur radio operator 18 years of age or younger -- someone who has
talent, promise and a commitment to the spirit of ham radio. This is your chance to help honor and acknowledge that person who will, no doubt, go
on to teach and inspire others. Find the nomination form on our website arnewsline.org under the "AWARDS" tab. Nominations close on May 31st.
--- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (954:895/7)

BREAK HERE:

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

**

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

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

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

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

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

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

This is Jeremy, Boot G4NJH.

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

(SOTA REFLECTOR, QRZ.COM)

**

MASSACHUSETTS HAMS STEP UP FOR 'RELAY FOR LIFE'

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

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

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

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

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

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

This is Andy Morrison, K9AWM.

(AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY, THE GARDNER NEWS)

**

QRP DAY COMES TO IARU REGION 3

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

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

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

The day promises a powerful outcome.

This is Jim Meachen, ZL2BHF.

(IARU REGION 3)
--- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (954:895/7)

TRY NEWSLINE'S HAIKU CHALLENGE

JIM/ANCHOR: What's almost as good as perfect propagation? How about....a
ham radio haiku! We're inviting listeners to channel their most creative selves, and share the joy of ham radio in the form of a haiku. On our
website, arnewsline.org, you will find a submission form for sending your
most poetic offering. Be sure you follow the traditional form to qualify:
The first line is five syllables, the second line is seven syllables, and
the finishing third line has another five syllables.

Our team will pick from the best submissions that follow the 5/7/5
syllable rule, and represent the love of amateur radio. Your prize?
Fame and glory, of course -- and a featured spot for your haiku on the
Amateur Radio Newsline website. Visit our website at arnewsline.org to
see this week's winning haiku.

**

CALIFORNIA AMATEUR FACES $24,000 FINE

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

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

(FCC, RADIO WORLD)

**

BELGIAN HAMS GAINING 8M BAND ACCESS

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

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

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

This is Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

(AMATEUR RADIO DAILY)

**

HOSPITALIZED CHILDREN HAVE ARISS QSO WITH SPACE STATION

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

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

This is Patrick Clark, K8TAC.

(ARISS, FACEBOOK)

**

NEW SITE CONSOLIDATES HAM CLUBS' NEWS

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

(CALE, K4HCK)
--- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (954:895/7)

TRY NEWSLINE'S HAIKU CHALLENGE

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Whether you find sunspots to inspire you or whether Morse
Code lifts your spirits, you might enjoy trying your hand at a ham radio haiku! We're inviting listeners to channel their most creative selves and share the joy of ham radio in the form of a haiku. On our website, arnewsline.org, you will find a submission form for sending your most
poetic offering. Be sure you follow the traditional form to qualify: The
first line is five syllables, the second line is seven syllables and the finishing third line has another five syllables. Be sure to follow that
form.

Our team will pick from the best submissions that follow the 5/7/5
syllable rule and represent the love of amateur radio. Your prize? Fame
and glory, of course -- and a featured spot for your haiku on the Amateur Radio Newsline website. Visit our website at arnewsline.org to see this
week's winning haiku.

**

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the Utah Amateur
Radio Club's 2-meter repeater on Sunday nights at 9 p.m., as part of the club's weekly Information Net.

**

HAM RADIO CELEBRATES THE LEWIS & CLARK TRAIL

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

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

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

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

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

This is Patrick Clark, K8TAC.

**

RADIO PROTECTION COMES TO IMPERILED FOREST

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

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

This is John Williams, VK4JJW.

(AMBARISH NAG BISWAS, VU2JFA, THE HINDU)

**

ORGANIZERS CHOOSE SITE IN GUJARAT FOR HAMFEST INDIA

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

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

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

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

(AMATEUR RADIO DAILY, FACEBOOK, HAMFEST INDIA WEBSITE)
--- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (954:895/7)

BREAK HERE:

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

**

RADIO CONTESTER TAKES TOP FOOTBALL COACHING JOB

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

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

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

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

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

This is Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

(QRZ.COM, ASSOCIATED PRESS)

**

RSGB TO RECEIVE UK STATION USED BY KING HUSSEIN JY1

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

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

This is Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

(RSGB)

**

PRESENTERS NEEDED FOR GRCON23 IN ARIZONA

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

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

Details can be found on the website gnuradio.org

(GNURADIO.ORG, AMATEUR RADIO DAILY)

**

BILL CHALLENGES PRIVATE LAND RESTRICTIONS ON ANTENNAS

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

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

No votes were taken when the bill was introduced toward the end of the
last session of Congress. It is being reintroduced in response to the
rapid growth of private residential areas that have these restrictions on
the use of land. The bill would amend the Communications Act of 1934 by prohibiting land-use restrictions from halting the installation and use
of amateur radio antennas.

This is Kevin Trotman, N5PRE.

(REP. BILL JOHNSON WEBSITE, GOVTRACK.US., ARRL)
--- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (954:895/7)

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the KD2SL repeater
in Syracuse, New York at 8 p.m., following the Monday Night Hobby and Information Net.

**

JAPAN'S HAM FAIR 2023 RETURNS TO TOKYO VENUE

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Japan's Ham Fair, continues to be the largest Hamfest in
the world and the Japan Amateur Radio League has high hopes that at the
2023 event visitors will enjoy a new era in amateur radio this coming
August. In fact, that new era is the very theme of the two-day event -
August 20th and 21st - at Tokyo's Big Sight Convention Center.

This will be the 45th year for the league's ham fair, which was cancelled
in 2021 due to concerns about the pandemic.

Before Japan's HamFair however, the weekend of the release of this
newscast, Europe's largest Hamfest, the 46th HAM RADIO event in Friedrichshafen was getting underway in the new messe (Pron: Mess Ah)
expo centre.

(JARL, WIA)

**

FCC POLICY RESPONDS TO GROWTH IN WIDEBAND DEVICES

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: In Washington, D.C., the FCC's policy on wideband devices
has once again responded to changes in the market. We have details from
Kent Peterson, KC0DGY.

KENT: The FCC's policy concerning ultra-wideband devices appears to be broadening to allow for expanded growth in the way the technology is
used, according to a recent report.

A June 13th posting written by Venable LLC, and posted on the website JDSupra.com noted that the agency granted a waiver of Part 15 rules to
the Schlage Lock Company LLC to enable the security firm to put one of
its ultra-wideband home security locks on the market. The report said it
was the first waiver of its kind to be granted this year but the action appears to show that the FCC is continuing on a 20-year trajectory to
relax its permissions for ultra-wideband technology. Nearly 20 such
waivers have been granted over the years for this unlicensed use of low
power RF signals, generally employed for security uses, medical imaging
and even robotic lawn mowers. The Schlage company made the request on
behalf of its smart residential door locks which make use of ultra-
wideband signals in combination with Bluetooth.

The website's report notes that the Commission bases its approval of a
waiver request if it determines that licensed radio services would not
face harmful interference when such a device is in use. The Commission's Office of Engineering and Technology concluded that there was a low
likelihood of harmful interference in this case, especially with
transmissions taking place in a small space relatively close to the
ground.

The Venable article did say, however, that the FCC has not indicated it
was considering a policy change or any kind of overall update for ultra- wideband technologies.

This is Kent Peterson, KC0DGY.

(VENABLE, LLC)

**

JOIN NEWSLINE'S HAIKU CHALLENGE

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Are you enjoying Newsline's weekly ham radio haiku? Join
our challenge! We're inviting listeners to share the joy of amateur radio
in the form of a haiku. On our website, arnewsline.org, you will find a submission form for sending your most creative offering. Be sure you
follow the traditional form to qualify: The first line is five syllables,
the second line is seven syllables and the finishing third line has
another five syllables. Be sure to match that format to qualify.

Our team will pick from the best submissions that follow the 5/7/5
syllable rule and represent the love of amateur radio. Your prize?
Bragging rights -- and a featured spot for your haiku on the Amateur
Radio Newsline website. Meanwhile, visit our website at arnewsline.org to
see this week's winning haiku.

**

RSGB SEEKS IDEAS FOR NATIONAL CODING WEEK

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: In amateur radio, there's Code, as in Morse Code, and
then there's coding, the kind of coding some hams use in programming for
their equipment. Jeremy Boot, G4NJH, tells us how the Radio Society of
Great Britain has big plans for newcomers to coding.

JEREMY: Ham radio learning has been transformed by the BBC Micro:bit and
the Arduino and hams attracted to the kind of coding involved are rapidly gaining enthusiasm. The Radio Society of Great Britain is preparing for National Coding Week, which takes place during the third week of
September and is looking for volunteers who can help develop activities
to encourage newcomers to coding - newcomers of all ages - to explore
this new experience. The RSGB will be putting an extra emphasis on coding skills during the third week of September and hopes hams will offer some creative approaches for amateurs of all ages. If you have an idea, please contact John Hislop, G7OHO, of the Exam and Syllabus Review Group. You
can find his email in the text version of this week's Newsline script.

This is Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

[JOHN'S EMAIL: g7oho@rsgb.org.uk ]

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

CHINESE TEAM DEVELOPING NEW LUNAR-ORBIT SATELLITE

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

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

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

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

This is John Williams, VK4JJW.

(AMSAT NEWS)

**

BREAK HERE:

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

**

FOLLOW THE RULES FOR NEWSLINE'S HAIKU CHALLENGE

NEIL/ANCHOR: We hope our listeners have been enjoying the Amateur
Radio Newsline haiku challenge. We certainly have! In the spirit
of fun and perhaps a little bit of literary adventure, we've been
inviting listeners to channel their most creative selves and share
the joy of ham radio in the form of a haiku. On our website,
arnewsline.org, you will find a submission form for sending your
most poetic offering. To qualify, you need to follow traditional
haiku form: The first line is five syllables, the second line is
seven syllables and the finishing third line has another five
syllables. We cannot accept any other formats.

Our team will pick from the best submissions that follow the 5/7/5
syllable rule and represent the love of amateur radio. Your prize?
For now, bragging rights -- and a featured spot for your haiku on
the Amateur Radio Newsline website. We may have a surprise for you
at the end of the year, however. So visit our website at
arnewsline.org and take a look at this week's winning ham radio haiku.

**

US NAVY TO UPGRADE HF RADAR SYSTEM

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

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

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

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

This is Andy Morrison, K9AWM.

(MILITARY & AEROSPACE ELECTRONICS, ZACKS INVESTMENT RESEARCH)

**

40 YEARS FOR NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF AMATEUR RADIO

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

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

BREAK HERE:

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

**

PROGRAM ROLLOUT FOR SCOUT CAMPS ON THE AIR

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

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

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

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

[DO NOT READ: Twitter handle is @SCOTA_k2bsa

Instagram handle is scota_k2bsa ]

(SCOUT CAMPS ON THE AIR)

**

WEST BENGAL HAMS ASSIST IN MISSING MOTHER'S RETURN

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

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

This is Graham Kemp, VK4BB.

(ETVBHARAT.COM)

**

WORLD OF DX

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

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

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

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

(DX WORLD.NET, 425 DX BULLETIN)
--- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (954:895/7)

RADIO CAMP NEAR PRAGUE WELCOMES THE VERY YOUNG

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

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

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

This is Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

(YOTA, IARU REGION1, WIA)

**

O CANADA! TIME FOR YOUTH ON THE AIR CAMP

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

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

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

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

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

This is Patrick Clark, K8TAC.

(YOUTH ON THE AIR)

**

WORLD OF DX

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

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

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

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

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

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the K4EX repeater in Dade City, Florida, on Tuesdays after the 7 p.m. net.

**

OFCOM SEEKS COMMENT ON 'HYBRID SHARING' FOR UPPER 6 GHZ BAND

PAUL/ANCHOR: If you have a UK amateur license, you may want to weigh in on this issue affecting the 6 GHz band. Jeremy Boot, G4NJH, explains the
proposed changes.

JEREMY: Ofcom is exploring a system of what it calls "hybrid sharing" of
the upper portion of the 6 GHz band to accommodate both licenced mobile use and low-power licence-exempt Wi-Fi in the UK. The regulator wants to find
an appropriate system that would increase capacity successfully because of industry interest in supporting an ongoing growth in traffic.

Ofcom believes that because Wi-Fi routers are based indoors and mobile transmitters are mostly outdoors, hybrid-sharing mechanisms can and should
be developed that allow the users to coexist. The regulator also believes there is also potential for what it calls international harmonisation of hybrid sharing on the band.

Industry members or others with a stake in the use of this band can submit comments to Ofcom no later than the 15th of September.

See a link to the full article in the text version of this week's newscast
at arnewsline.org

[DO NOT READ:

https://www.ofcom.org.uk/news-centre/2023/sharing-6-ghz-spectrum-for-wi-fi- and-mobile ]

(above URL all on one line)

This is Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

(OFCOM)

**

FCC TO VOTE ON POWER INCREASE FOR DIGITAL FM

JIM/ANCHOR: In the US, the Federal Communications Commission is getting
ready to consider a request from broadcasters to permit the highest
allowable power for digital FM stations. Kent Peterson, KC0DGY, has that story.

KENT: The FCC is preparing to vote early next month on permitting some
digital FM stations to broadcast using the highest allowable power levels
by adopting a change in the way such levels are determined on the upper and lower digital sidebands.

The request for change is being made by the National Association of Broadcasters, a trade group representing radio and TV entities and Xperi,
the company that developed and licenses HD Radio technology. Xperi
estimates that there are 2,600 stations in the US that use HD Radio technology.

Both the NAB and Xperi say their goal is to improve the digital signals' quality and coverage. They are petitioning for the acceptance of a new
formula that would permit an increase over the present level, currently authorized at a digital ERP of -14 dBc, or decibels relative to carrier.
The approved increase would not require prior FCC authorization.

Although a number of major media groups support the petition, saying it is good for businesses as well as listeners, Press Communications LLC in New Jersey has told the FCC that a power increase could pose difficulties for smaller FM stations and LPFM, low-power FM service.

The vote is expected to take place on August 3rd.

This is Kent Peterson, KC0DGY.

(RADIOWORLD)

**

WORLD OF DX

In the World of DX, Giuseppe, IK5WWA, is on the air as IM0C [pronounce: EYE EMM ZERO SEA] from San Pietro Island, IOTA number EU-165, until the 30th of July. Listen for him on 40-2 metres and perhaps on 80m. QSL via his home
call.

Jarno, OH6NJ, will be active as OH6NJ/8 from Hailuoto Island, IOTA number EU-184 between the 24th and 31st of July. He will be using CW, SSB and FT8 mainly on the higher bands. QSL via his home call.

In Guatemala, Dennis, KT8X, will be active holiday style as TG4/KT8X from
the 23rd of July to the 4th of August. He will be using CW, FT8 and
possibly some SSB on 40-6 metres. QSL via LoTW only.

Listen for Ron, DL1RNW, operating as OZ/DL1RNW from Sandkas, Maidenhead
Square JO75jg on Bornholm Island, IOTA number EU-030. He will be on the air from the 23rd of July to the 5th of August on 6 metres and the HF bands.
QSL via eQSL.

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

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the K9DEW repeater
in Warsaw, Indiana, on Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m.

**

DO YOU HAIKU? ROGER ROGER!

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: What's the one ham radio competition you can enter without turning your rig on? The Amateur Radio Newsline haiku challenge. We've been inviting listeners to channel their most creative selves and share the joy
of ham radio in the form of a haiku. On our website, arnewsline.org, you
will find a submission form. Follow traditional haiku form and send in your entry: The first line is five syllables, the second line is seven syllables and the finishing third line has another five syllables. We cannot accept
any other formats.

We will pick from the best submissions that follow the 5/7/5 syllable rule
and represent the love of amateur radio. Your prize? For now, bragging
rights -- and a featured spot for your haiku on the Amateur Radio Newsline website. We may have a surprise for you at the end of the year, however. So visit our website at arnewsline.org and take a look at this week's winning
ham radio haiku.

**

'MOON DAY' PUTS SPOTLIGHT ON HAM RADIO

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Although the event at the Frontiers of Flight Museum was called "Moon Day," amateur radio shared the spotlight with the help of
AMSAT and two area ham clubs. Moon Day was held at the Dallas, Texas museum
at Love Field on July 22nd - the anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission in
1969. The educational event celebrated ham radio communications through satellites while acknowledging the great strides that have been made since that historic lunar landing. AMSAT ambassador Tom Schuessler, N5HYP, told Newsline in an email that AMSAT's presentations focused on amateur radio in space and with the help of AMSAT's Virginia Smith, NV5F, Calvin Gluck,
W7KYG and Tony Medina, NT5TM, guests learned about the technology behind
these communications. The keynote speaker was retired NASA astronaut Shane Kimbrough KE5HOD.

Working alongside AMSAT, the Dallas Amateur Radio Club, W5FC, demonstrated
the use of repeaters, Morse Code and the HF bands. A number of young Scouts were able to work toward their radio and exploration merit badges. This was the 15th annual Moon Day held at the museum, and Tom told Newsline it will
be back again next year.

(TOM SCHUESSLER, N5HYP)

**

RADIO 'BUMBLEBEES' TAKE FLIGHT USING CW

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Sunday, July 30th, has been set aside for bumblebees. Those the the radio operators who'll be operating QRP as they call CQ. Randy Sly, W4XJ, tells us how to "BEE" ready for them.

RANDY: The Adventure Radio Society is hoping for a swarm of bumblebees on Sunday, July 30th -- or at least, that's the buzz. For the four-hour period between 1700 and 2100 UTC, the organizers of a casual CW contest called The Flight of the Bumblebees are encouraging portable operators to walk,
bicycle, row - using any means of engine-free travel - and set up at a
field site. There, they will call CQ with their callsign and a unique identifying Bumblebee Number assigned to them. For bumblebees, being in the field is important. The society, which was created in 1996, tries to foster the practice of radio operations in an ecologically responsible manner.

Now remember: bumblebees are small, so this is going to be a QRP event and
no one will be transmitting more than 5 watts. Typically, these radio bumblebees can be found on 40, 20, 15 and 10 meters, around standard QRP frequencies. Who'll be looking for them? Other bumblebees, of course, but home-based stations who are also operating QRP can chase the bees or one another.

For details, rules and other information, visit arsqrp dot blogspot dot com (arsqrp.blogspot.com). Bumblebees and home-based stations will be eligible
for commendations based on points, but additional recognition will be given
to those busy bees who operate from attractive sites, have an unusual adventure, or perhaps operate with some notable equipment.

As with previous such contests, this one is sure to create a hive of
activity.

This is Randy Sly, W4XJ.

(ADVENTURE RADIO SOCIETY, MONITORING TIMES 1999)
--- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (954:895/7)