FISTS CW CLUB PREPS FOR QSO PARTY

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: October is also a big month for CW enthusiasts and one
club in the UK has picked a date for a big but very informal get-
together. Jeremy Boot, G4NJH, explains.

JEREMY: Members of the FISTS CW Club in the UK know that you don't need a reason to declare it's time for a QSO Party. So organisers have declared
the 22nd of October as the date for the club's official autumn gathering.
The FISTS website says [quote] "This is simply an opportunity to rekindle
old friendships and make new ones." [endquote] This means that nonmembers
and radio ops who send QRS are just as welcome as are FISTS regulars. The
QSO party takes place on that date between 1900 and 2359 UTC.

As the club points out on its website, this is an activity that won't
help anyone score points or add another certificate to their ever-growing collection - but on the other hand, you might just make some new friends.
The website offers a few more encouraging words by adding: [quote]:
"Let's wheel out the homebrew, the military gear, the old stuff and the
new and let's just chat to each other." [endquote]

Details are available at fists dot co dot uk (fists.co.uk)

This is Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

**

SKCC SEEKS DESIGNS FOR ANNIVERSARY QSL CARD

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Another group of CW enthusiasts has reached out to its
members to showcase a talent that doesn't require a straight key, cootie
or bug -- just perhaps some pen, ink and a little imagination. Kevin
Trotman, N5PRE, has that report.

KEVIN: The Straight Key Century Club is asking its members to call upon a skill that requires a good hand and a good eye instead of a good fist and
a good ear. The club is preparing for activities marking the 17th
anniversary of its founding -- and that means it needs a new and unique
QSL card for a special event. Every year the SKCC designates January as Straight Key Month and starting on the 2nd of January, operators get on
the air using the special event call sign K3Y.

Members have until the 14th of December to submit their designs and then
the club gets to vote on the submissions, which are displayed on the
event webpage. The design with the most votes becomes the design of the official K3Y QSL card and many of the others become part of the SKCC
print calendar for 2023.

No, it's not too early to start thinking about 2023 or this special
event. If you're a club member who likes to design QSL cards - or if you
want to try - this is your chance. Designers are permitted to submit
their cards from previous competitions in the hopes of making it to the
top this year. For details, see the link the text version of this week's newscast at arnewsline.org

[PRINT ONLY: https://skccgroup.com/k3y/k3y-qsl-vote.php ]

This is Kevin Trotman, N5PRE.

(SKCC)

**

1st WOMAN TO LEAD ITU IS AMATEUR RADIO OPERATOR

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Members of the ITU have chosen their next leader and
she's not just the first woman - she's a ham. Dave Parks, WB8ODF, has
details.

DAVE: The International Telecommunication Union, the United Nations
agency that coordinates telecommunications operations globally, has
elected an amateur radio operator from the US as its new secretary-
general. Doreen Bogdan-Martin, KD2JTX, will be the first woman to hold
that office when she succeeds Houlin Zhao on January 1st.

Her campaign page on the US Department of State website lists her deep involvement with the ITU, most recently as director of the ITU's Telecommunication Development Bureau. The website listed her
accomplishments in bringing about upgrades that better embrace digital advances, and that her work in the role supported global efforts to
promote school connectivity and greater involvement of youth. Under her leadership, the ITU focused on giving youth more of a voice in strategy
and programs.

She posted on her Twitter account on September 19th: [quote] "Immensely
proud to be the first woman ever elected to the post of ITU Secretary-
General. We've finally smashed a 157-y.o. glass ceiling! -- and I hope
this result inspires women and girls everywhere to dream big and make
those dreams a reality!"

Her rival for the post was Rashid Ismailov of Russia, who lost in a vote
of 139 votes to 25.

This is Dave Parks, WB8ODF.

(US DEPT OF STATE, BBC NEWS)

**

DEADLINE APPROACHES FOR CLUB GRANT PROGRAM

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: This is a reminder that there is a little less than one
month left for interested clubs to apply to the ARRL Foundation Club
Grant Program. Deadline for applications is November 4th. The program is
run with the help of a grant from Amateur Radio Digital Communications
and allows clubs to expand such programs as those focused on education
and training, especially new radio amateurs. A total of $500,000 is
available to clubs and as much as $25,000 can be provided to any one club
for a worthy project. Ham clubs requiring more than that amount are being asked to apply directly to the ARDC.

Additional details about the ARRL program can be found at the link in the
text version of this week's newscast at arnewsline.org

[PRINT ONLY: arrl.org/club-grant-program ]

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

HURRICANE IAN RESPONDER CREDITS HAM TEAM

NEIL/ANCHOR: Hurricane Ian has passed, but the storm's force is not
something easily forgotten - and one amateur who assisted Florida
residents from hundreds of miles away reflects on the experience. Randy
Sly, W4XJ, caught up with him.

RANDY: Most of us have heard the story of Dale Klonin, KC3TAU, the
Maryland Firefighter who used his ham radio skills to send rescuers to Florida's Sanibel Island during Hurricane Ian. His actions resulted in
the rescue of several persons in the wake of the island's devastation.
We talked with Dale after the event reflecting back on what took place.
While not comfortable being called a hero, he told AR Newsline that he
was pleased that he could play a part and was very happy that the
people were safe.

So, what lessons did he learn from this event? Though new to ham radio,
he is an emergency preparedness trainer as a part of his firefighting
career. First, he said, it's important to know who's doing what.

Committed to supporting the emergency communications role of ham radio,
Dale was already monitoring the Hurricane Watch Net and Florida
Emergency Net on HF, listening to the Florida Room on WIRES-X and had
Echolink up and running. When he was made aware of the stranded
individuals from a relative nearby, he knew who to call. He also said
it was important for him to have more than one plan in place.

Information was shared over HF radio, as well as by email and text with
net control stations. Before he ended our conversation, he also wanted
to be sure to recognize the unsung heroes of the event, the Florida
hams and others around the country who worked the nets and really knew
how to control and pass along information. Rescuers did the work but
their information came from the capable hands of amateurs.

This is Randy Sly, W4XJ.

**

HAMS AID STRANDED TOURISTS IN MONSOON

NEIL/ANCHOR: Amateur radio proved invaluable for visitors from India
who were left stranded in Nepal. Ed Durrant, DD5LP, tells us about this developing story.

ED: At least 68 travelers from Bengal were left stranded earlier this
month in Nepal as monsoon flooding and landslides ravaged the
landscape. As the tourists' cell phones died, amateur radio stepped in. According to a story in the Times of India, hams in Nepal began rescue communications and reached out to the West Bengal Radio Club on behalf
of the tourists. The club contacted the Nepal Consulate for assistance.
The Nepal Tourism Board arranged for rescue teams, including
helicopters, because travel was restricted by road damage. Where
possible, local hams carried rations to help the stranded tourists from Kolkata. As Newsline went to production, improved weather conditions
brought hope that the tourists could be returned safely home.

This is Ed Durrant, DD5LP.

(THE TIMES OF INDIA)

**

SUDAN GROUP ELECTED TO IARU MEMBERSHIP

NEIL/ANCHOR: Formed a little more than a year ago, the Sudan Amateur
Radio Union has become the newest member society of the International
Amateur Radio Union. The group, which represents the interests of hams
in the northeast African nation, has a membership of 54. It was founded
on August 6th of 2021 and is part of Region 1 of the IARU.

(IARU)

**

SILENT KEY JOHN MUELLER K2BT

NEIL/ANCHOR: An influential and well-respected member of the western
New York amateur radio community has become a Silent Key. John Mueller (MULE-LERR), K2BT, died on October 9th following a lengthy illness.
Licensed since November 2004, John held an Amateur Extra license. A
Volunteer Examiner and a member of SKYWARN, John served as ARRL Western
New York section manager from 2012 through 2014 and was emergency
coordinator for Chautauqua County ARES from 2010 through 2012. John was
a past president of the Chautauqua (CHUH-TALK-WAH) County Amateur FM Association and a veteran of the US Army. John's widow, Laura Mueller,
N2LJM, serves as current section manager for Western New York. John was
63. Newsline offers his family and friends our condolences.

(FACEBOOK, MATTHEW BROWN, K2EAG)

**

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio
Newsline heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the
KB9LPP repeater in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin on Saturdays. The repeater is
DMR enabled on the Brandmeister Network.
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)

LATEST HONOR CONFERRED FOR WORKED ALL BRITAIN FOUNDERS BOWL

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

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

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

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

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

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

I'm Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

**

SPECIAL EVENT STATION COMMEMORATES LAKE SUPERIOR TRAGEDY

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

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

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

This is Sel Embee, KB3TZD.

(QRZ.COM)

**

NO BARE-BONES OPERATION FOR HALLOWEEN

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

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

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

This is Neil Rapp, WB9VPG.
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)

SILENT KEY: MINNESOTA'S MIKE SIGELMAN, K0BUD

PAUL/ANCHOR: The Minnesota ham radio community is grieving the loss
of an active longtime radio operator who was formally recognized
for his generous spirit and decades of involvement. Kent Peterson,
KC0DGY tells us about him.

KENT: On his page on QRZ.com, Mike Sigelman, K0BUD, described
himself as "one enthusiastic amateur radio operator!" He wrote:
[quote] "I have been licensed since 1955 and keep heavily involved
both on the air as well as in the local amateur community."
[endquote]

Mike became a Silent Key on Thursday the 20th of October, but not
before the former broadcast professional also left a deep imprint
in amateur radio. The ARRL honored him in 2013 with the President's
Award in recognition of his years of commitment and service to
various league programs. Earlier this year, he was given the Public
Service Award from the Maple Grove Radio Club, K0LTC.

An enthusiastic participant in local nets, contesting and DXing, he
had also served as president of the Twin City FM Club and the
public relations officer for the ARRL's Minnesota section manager.

His survivors include his wife Judy, N0OEL.

Michael was 83.

This is Kent Peterson, KC0DGY.

(QTZ.COM, STAR-TRIBUNE)

**

SILENT KEY: INFLUENTIAL FINNISH AMATEUR PETER TIGERSTEDT, OH5NQ/OH2BM

PAUL/ANCHOR: A ham respected in Finland for his wide-ranging work
as a mentor, a pioneer and - separately - a renowned botanist - has
become a Silent Key. Ed Durrant, DD5LP, tells us about him.

ED: Peter Tigerstedt, OH5NQ/OH2BM, was considered one of the most
prominent figures in amateur radio in Finland. A news report from
the Wireless Institute of Australia quotes Martii Laine, OH2BH, as
calling Peter a pioneer on both the high and low ends of the HF
spectrum. A professor by vocation, his other love was to mentor
young radio contesters in Finland and welcome them to his contest
station OH5Z. Born in 1936, he was remembered by Al, 4L5A, writing
in a forum on DxNews.com: [quote] "Now the OH5Z group has lost
their 'father figure' and are looking longingly towards the
horizon." [endquote]

Beyond radio, the Helsinki University professor emeritus achieved
fame as an expert in plant-breeding, most especially the
rhododendron. He developed a variety that bears his name.

This is Ed Durrant, DD5LP.

(WIA, DXNEWS.COM)

**

SILENT KEY: SOUTHGATE AMATEUR NEWS' RICHARD BRUNTON G4TUT

PAUL/ANCHOR: If you follow amateur radio current events you are
probably aware of the Southgate Amateur Radio News website. We here
at Newsline are sad to report that the colleague of ours in England,
who ran that important website, has become a Silent Key. Jeremy Boot,
G4NJH, has that report.

JEREMY: We are sad to announce the passing of Richard Brunton,
G4TUT. Richard died at age 77 as the result of a fall on the 21st
of October. The callsign may not seem familiar to you, but for
decades Richard was editor of the Southgate Amateur Radio News
website which has a significant international following. Each and
every day, Richard would search the world’s ham radio and
technology resources seeking out stories of interest and publishing
them. Beyond the straight news items and specialist sections of his
site, Richard encouraged non-commercial podcasts and blogs to
promote ham radio opinion and stimulate debate on the essential
subjects of the day. He also compiled the "CQ Serenade" weekly
programme which was broadcast throughout Europe on Shortwaveradio.de
and other public-facing media. Richard himself was an intensely
private man who had no close family, but he reached thousands of
friends daily through his website. Amateur radio has lost a statesman
and a stalwart whose dedication to amateur radio was valued and
enjoyed by so many.

This is Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

(STEVE RICHARDS G4HPE)

**

POLISH AMATEURS HOSTING ON-AIR MEMORIAL

PAUL/ANCHOR: With every new Silent Key in our amateur radio
community, the bands grow a little more empty. In Poland, however,
amateurs are planning an activation to share and honor those who
have meant so much. Ed Durrant, DD5LP, brings us the details.

ED: The Polish Amateur Radio Union, PZK, is conducting a memorial
activation from the 1st to the 6th of November, asking amateurs to
make contact with the station SPØSKM and provide the name and
callsign of the Silent Key they wish to commemorate. Hams will be
able to do this on 80, 40 and 20 metres using CW and SSB and on 2
metres FM. The PZK's editorial office is promoting this event which
is being called, in translation, "remembrance of those who passed
away." The special-event station operators will create an SK
remembrance List based on SK stations noted in the log.

Each radio contact is eligible for a certificate which will be able
to be downloaded later, commemorating the event and the Silent Key
submitted. If a ham wishes to honour more than one Silent Key, it
must be done on another day in a different QSO.

The Polish organisation's website says, in translation, [quote] "In
this way, we will honour the memory of those we no longer hear on
the amateur wave." [endquote]

This is Ed Durrant, DD5LP.

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

OHIO PENN DX BULLETIN HALTS PUBLICATION

DON/ANCHOR: DXers and others interested in chasing special callsigns have learned that an important resource for more than three decades is ceasing publication. Jack Parker, W8ISH, has that story.

JACK: After 31 years of publishing the free Ohio Penn DX Bulletin, Tedd Mirgliotta, KB8NW, is calling it quits. Tedd, the president of the
Northern Ohio DX Association, has made this free resource available on
the internet and packet clusters around the world. He announced that the edition of October 31st, 2022 was to be the final bulletin. The
bulletin's webmaster, John Papay, K8YSE, said on the website that the
archived issues of the bulletin will continue to be available on the EIDX Network, papays.com. John said that readers enjoyed it as an email or on
the list servers. He said that thousands of readers saw it on the website
as well. He wrote: [quote] "What I found surprising is that people will
not only read the current OPDX, but they will read back issues by the
hundreds as well. What a great resource it has [become] and will still
be." [endquote]

John encouraged people to email Tedd to thank him for his years of
DXpedition reports, propagation updates and other relevant information.
The email address is kb8nw@arrl.net.

This is Jack Parker, W8ISH.

(OHIO PENN DX BULLETIN)

**

"RETIRED REPEATER" LIVES ON IN COLORADO

DON/ANCHOR: Where do old repeaters go when they retire? In the case of
one very old repeater in California, that would be the Colorado Rockies.
Ralph Squillace, KK6ITB, shares this story, which was told recently on
the website eham.net:

RALPH: In the early 1960s, before the area had frequency coordination
groups and standards for repeater offsets, a privately owned repeater
went up on a place called Contractors Point, high above San Fernando in southern California. The W6AQY solid-state repeater, which operated on
VHF FM, relied on the parts of a Motorola walkie-talkie that it was built from.

On the website, eham.net, Paul, W0RW, said he helped install it on the mountaintop long ago with Jim, W6UJX, and Jim's father, facing the
challenge of putting a 30-foot telephone pole in a trench in that rocky
soil. The repeater itself was protected from the elements inside a
waterproof Motorola truck mount box and its batteries needed changing
every three months.

He said that the transmitter had an output of about 20 watts ERP and used
a three-element beam turned toward Los Angeles and it served all of
southern California successfully for much of that decade. It was finally
taken out of service in 1969 and after some refurbishment moved to
Colorado where it was put back to work -- this time as WR0ACR. A half-
century later, it is still doing its job - but like most retirees, it is
on standby service for much of the time.

This is Ralph Squillace, KK6ITB.

(EHAM.NET)

**

POTA QSOs INCREASE BY NEARLY 30 PERCENT

DON/ANCHOR: With the past few weeks bringing great weather for outdoor activations, Parks on the Air QSOs have grown. Matt Heere, N3NWV, brings
us the latest statistics.

MATT: Hi All. I'm Matt, N3NWV here, with your October 2022 POTA stats
and news update. October included the fall "Support Your Parks" weekend
event and the stats show a big jump from last month.

We had 15,781 activations by 2,808 activators from 5.483 parks. Forty-
seven DXCC entities were represented this month and we reached a total of 706,846 QSOs, a month-over-month increase of 29% .

Congratulations to all of our category leaders for October, and as always
a big thanks for everyone who participates in the POTA program.

Speaking of participating, our "Park a Day" Bailey-Sprott list hasn't
changed notably this month. We still have five activators and two dozen hunters on track for pressing the POTA button every day in 2022. Good
luck to all now that we're down to the final two months of the year.

The October 15 and 16 "Support Your Parks" weekend was a huge success, generating over 100,000 QSOs. Nearly 11 hundred activators got to over
15 hundred parks, and worked over 15,000 hunters. All in all, 34 DXCC
entities participated in the weekend in one way or another.

That wraps it up for this month. Seven-three and POTA on!

(POTA)

**

INTERNATIONAL NEWSMAKER AWARD TO BE ANNOUNCED

DON/ANCHOR: We remind our listeners that in a little more than one month,
we will be announcing this year's recipient of the Amateur Radio Newsline International Newsmaker of the Year Award. We began this award in 2019 as
a way of honoring individuals, groups or formal clubs whose actions and contributions show the world the value that amateur radio brings to
society. Recipients are chosen by the editorial staff of Amateur Radio Newsline. All past recipients have shown themselves to adhere to the high standards of selflessness and community service which ham radio is known
for and have also helped garner recognition and a higher profile for ham
radio in the mainstream media. Be listening in early December when we
announce the recipient who has not only made headlines, but made a
difference, too.
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)

RSGB SELECTS COORDINATOR OF CW COMPETENCY TEST

JIM/ANCHOR: If you're in the UK and want a way to formally measure your
Morse Code competency, there's a newly appointed ham to oversee your test. Here's Jeremy Boot, G4NJH, to introduce him.

JEREMY: Eric Arkinstall, M0KZB, recognises that for many fellow hams,
amateur radio is all about the love of Morse Code, plain and simple. For
Eric, being an amateur has almost always been about the love of all things radio when, since at age 11, he built his first crystal set.

Recently, the Radio Society of Great Britain appointed him coordinator of
the Morse Competency test which awards operators recognition for their efforts.

Although a Morse Code Certificate is not proof of a national standard of proficiency or internationally recognised, it is a matter of pride for
those operators who attain it. In most countries now including the UK, a knowledge of Morse Code is no longer a requirement for a ham radio licence.

According to the RSGB website, 5 words per minute is the slowest speed for which the certificate is issued. This is being done to encourage progress towards higher speeds. Tests are also available at 10, 12, 15, 20, 25 and
30 wpm.

If you wish to take the test, you can email Eric directly at morse.tests@rsgb.org.uk

This is Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

(RSGB)

**

NASA CHOOSES HAMS TO HELP COPY ORION'S SIGNAL

JIM/ANCHOR: The Orion spacecraft, which is set to be launched toward the
moon this month, won't be making the trip alone. Amateur radio operators
will be along for the ride - well, sort of. Paul Braun, WD9GCO, explains.

PAUL: When Artemis 1 dispatches an uncrewed Orion spacecraft on its journey
to the moon, two hams will be on board the mission even though they're
keeping their feet solidly on Planet Earth. Amateur radio operators are
part of the 18-member team of volunteers who will be tracking various parts
of the 25-day mission, recording whether it is possible to copy Orion's signal. NASA said they will also track and measure changes in Orion's radio transmissions.

The team will include satellite enthusiast Scott Chapman, K4KDR, of Vermont and amateur astronomer Scott Tilley, VE7TIL, of British Columbia. The two amateurs were chosen to join space agencies and international companies
from Canada, Germany, Korea and elsewhere.

I'm Paul Braun, WD9GCO.

(SPACE.COM)

***

FCC SEEKING NEW GRADS FOR ENGINEERS' PROGRAM

JIM/ANCHOR: If you're a recent college graduate with an engineering degree
or expect to graduate with that degree in December, this opportunity from
the US Federal Communications Commission might interest you. We have the details from Sel Embee, KB3TZD.

SEL: The Honors Engineer program, an FCC career development initiative, has openings for engineering graduates interested in spending a year working alongside experienced professionals. The engineers will tackle such issues
as broadcast standards, next-generation communications networks and innovations in space. They will also explore public safety issues and
consult with homeland security agencies. Another focus will be new communications technologies, especially with respect to energy, education
and health care.

The program is run with an eye toward having its participants ultimately
join the FCC as fulltime employees.

Candidates may find this to be a competitive program. The agency considers academic achievement only one part of the successful engineer's resume. The FCC will also take into account technical skills and extracurricular activities. All candidates must show that they have an interest in working for a government employer in the communications sector.

If you're interested, you have until December 2nd to apply. Applications
are available online. You'll find the link to the application process in
the text version of this week's newscast script at arnewsline.org

This is Sel Embee, KB3TZD.

(FOR PRINT ONLY, DO NOT READ: https://www.usajobs.gov/job/685101100

(FCC)

**

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the AH6LE repeater
in Clackamas County, Oregon, on Sundays at 6 p.m. local time.
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)

GERMAN STATE'S LAW BECOMES MORE ANTENNA-FRIENDLY

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

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

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

This is Ed Durrant, DD5LP.

(FUNK TELEGRAMM MAGAZINE)

**

MARITIME MOBILE NET AIDS DISTRESSED FISHING VESSEL

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

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

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

This is Jack Parker, W8ISH.

(JEFF SAVASTA, KB4JKL)

**

GRANT SUBSIDIZES RFI-FIGHTING EFFORTS IN NEW ENGLAND

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

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

(ARDC)

**

INTERNATIONAL NEWSMAKER AWARD TO BE ANNOUNCED

NEIL/ANCHOR: We remind our listeners that in another two weeks, we will
be announcing this year's recipient of the Amateur Radio Newsline International Newsmaker of the Year Award. We began this award in 2019
as a way of honoring individuals, groups or formal clubs whose actions
and contributions show the world the value that amateur radio brings to society. Recipients are chosen by the editorial staff of Amateur Radio Newsline. All past recipients have shown themselves to adhere to the high standards of selflessness and community service which ham radio is known
for and have also helped garner recognition and a higher profile for ham
radio in the mainstream media. Be listening in early December when we
announce the deserving recipient. The award means they have not only made headlines but also made a difference in the world.

**

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the WI9HF repeater
in Madison, Wisconsin, on Tuesday nights at 7:30.
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)

TRANSATLANTIC QSOS RELIVE RADIO HISTORY IN DECEMBER

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

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

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

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

This is Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

(RSGB)

**

NEBRASKA EMERGENCY OPERATORS HONORED BY STATE

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

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

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

This is Andy Morrison, K9AWM.

(FREMONT TRIBUNE)

**

SANTA HF NET IS COMING TO TOWN

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

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

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

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

This is Jim Damron, N8TMW.

(QRZ.COM)

**

CATCH UP WITH SANTA ON REPEATERS, ECHOLINK

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

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

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

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

12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS SPECIAL EVENT IS BACK

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

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

This is Mike Askins, KE5CXP.

(SALLI ROSATO, K2RYD)

**

DECEMBER IS YOTA MONTH

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

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

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

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

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

(YOTA.COM)

**

AUSTRALIANS ON THE MOVE WITH A PTOTA ACTIVATION

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

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

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

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

Additional details are available at sarcnet.org

This is John Williams, VK4JJW.

(WIA, SARCNET)

**

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio
Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the Silvercreek Amateur Radio Association's 2 meter repeater, W8WKY,
Tuesdays at 7:30 PM local time, in Doylestown, Ohio.
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)

FCC COMMISSIONER COMMITS TO AM RADIO'S SURVIVAL

NEIL/ANCHOR: According to at least one member of the US Federal
Communications Commission, rumors of the death of AM radio are
greatly exaggerated. Kent Peterson, KC0DGY, brings us that report.

KENT: The good news is that AM radio has a future, which means the
band isn't going to be reallocated anytime soon. Those were the
words of FCC Commissioner Nathan Simington, speaking recently at the
79th annual convention of the National Association of Farm
Broadcasting. Simington said that, for one thing, AM radio is an
integral part of the life of the more than 3 million farmers in the
United States who rely on it daily for vital information.

He called it the [quote] "essential spine" [endquote] of the
Emergency Alert System. He said that despite beliefs by many that it
has been killed off by more advanced technology, AM radio is here to
stay for the foreseeable future, especially for those who live on
the kind of farm where he himself grew up. He said he is against any
move the FCC might be pressured to consider to reallocate the band.

He told convention attendees: [quote] "Look, people listen to radio
in their cars or trucks -- particularly rural radio. That's just how
it is. And if people lose the ability to tune into AM on their cars,
well, there goes AM radio." [endquote] He said that while satellite
is a good option, it is too expensive. He said AM radio is not just
free, but carries an important emergency signaling infrastructure.

In his opinion, the best option for AM radio's future to to simply
preserve it for the generations to come.

This is Kent Peterson, KC0DGY.

NEIL/ANCHOR: In a further development, an influential United States
lawmaker has joined the push to talk automakers out of eliminating
broadcast AM radio in new cars. Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts
has asked the car companies to respond in writing about their
intentions regarding AM and FM radio. He acknowledged that electric
vehicles can cause electromagnetic interference with AM signals but
encouraged carmakers to pursue some of the remedies they have
devised. The car companies include General Motors, Jaguar, Kia, BMW,
and American Honda.

(FCC.GOV, RADIO WORLD, AMATEUR RADIO WEEKLY)

**

TIME FOR THE '12 DAYS OF QRZ'

NEIL/ANCHOR: In case you need a way to keep the holiday fun going
even after the holiday season, QRZ.com has an event marking the
winter season in the Northern Hemisphere. Ralph Squillace, KK6ITB,
brings us up to date on that.

RALPH: In some parts of the world where it's winter, things can get
a little cold. Sometimes...a lot cold. So this year QRZ.com has
offered to heat things up and the action already got under way on
the 1st of December. The QRZ Winter Ops Award celebrates "the twelve
days of QRZ." To be eligible, hams need to log 12 confirmed contacts
on any 12 days from now through February 28th 2023. The certificate
is being offered for the first time as a holiday gift from QRZ's
founder, Fred LLoyd, AA7BQ. Fred writes on the website: [quote]
"This one's going to be very popular this season. We can't wait for
people to show them to us hanging in their shacks." [endquote]
Hopefully it will keep the holiday spirit - and confirmation of those
dozen QSOs - going strong into the new year.

This is Ralph Squillace, KK6ITB.

(QRZ.COM)

**

RSGB CREATES SOCIAL DIVERSITY POST

NEIL/ANCHOR: There's so much more to amateur radio than just the
technical and scientific side of things. The Radio Society of Great
Britain is looking for someone to help address an important social
concern. Here's Jeremy Boot, G4NJH, with the details.

JEREMY: The Radio Society of Great Britain is creating the volunteer
position of social diversity officer to help the board address
inclusion and diversity within the ranks of amateur radio and the
society itself. Some of the new officer's tasks will include helping
boost society membership but will also focus on encouraging hams of
all ages and backgrounds to get their licence.

The RSGB is hoping that through creation of this new position the
society can complement the work of the RAIBC, the Radio Amateur
Invalid and Blind Club, which serves radio amateurs and shortwave
listeners with disabilities.

If the role of social diversity officer is one for which you would
be interested in volunteering, please visit the society website at
rsgb dot org slash volunteers. (rsgb.org/volunteers) Application
deadline is Monday the 16th of January.

This is Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

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

NEW INDIAN SPECIAL EVENT STATION HONORS RADIO PIONEER

PAUL/ANCHOR: Hundreds of contacts were made this year on the air by
a new special event station in India honoring that nation's noted
radio pioneer. We have that story from Graham Kemp, VK4BB.

GRAHAM: This year, Datta, VU2DSI, was not the only amateur
activating a special event station in late November to mark the
birth of the pioneering Indian scientist Jagadish Chandra Bose.
Datta has operated his special event AU2JCB for 17 years - but this
year, Parks on the Air-India organised their own separate tribute
using the call sign AT8JCB. It was a POTA activation as well,
operating from Mohanpur Forest Park in West Bengal India, POTA
number, VU-0136. Parks on the Air-India is a relatively new
programme in India. It began barely a year ago but according to POTA
country administrator Arunava Dey, VU3XRY, the team of operators
made up for lost time with the Bose tribute. He said the response
was nothing short of "huge" and a great success.

Arunava told Newsline that over the course of the eight-day
activation, AT8JCB logged more than 900 QSOs using SSB and FT8.

With QSL and eQSL cards being sent in mid-December to their various destinations, POTA-India has other activities in store for the rest
of the month. There are also more than 4,000 parks to be activated
on the list of qualifying POTA locations.

The man called by many to be the "father of radio communications"
would no doubt be proud of all the amateur radio activity these days
in India.

This is Graham Kemp, VK4BB.

(ARUNAVA DEY VU3XRY, POTA INDIA, QRZ.COM)

**

ROMANIAN EVENT MARKS HIKING TRAIL'S INAUGURAL YEAR

PAUL/ANCHOR: From now through the first half of the new year,
amateurs in Romania will be celebrating that nation's newest natural
resource: a hiking trail. We have more on that from Jeremy Boot,
G4NJH.

JEREMY: The journey of discovery that comes with hiking along
Romania's Via Transilvanica is an adventure for hikers cyclists and
horseback riders. It got under way on the 8th of October with the
official opening of the 1,400-km trail which had taken four years of preparation.

The journey which marks the trail's inauguration is also one for
amateur radio operators. Radio Club YO6KGS is activating special
event station YR1400VT on the HF bands from now 'til the 30th of
June 2023. It's a celebration of the long-distance trail that
Romania sees as its counterpart to the Appalachian Trail in the
United States and El Camiño de Santiago in Europe. While hikers hope
to gain insights into their own lives in a natural setting, amateur
radio operators and shortwave listeners around the world can work
towards diplomas at different levels according to the number of
contacts with other operators, many of whom will be young amateurs
and members of the YO6KGS School Radio Club.

Listen for their call sign on SSB and CW. CW speeds will not exceed
14 wpm.

For details about the rules and awards visit the QRZ.COM page for
YR1400VT - and wherever you are, enjoy the journey.

This is Jeremy Boot, G4NJH

(ADRIAN BACIU, YO5IA, QRZ.COM)

**

DMR RADIO AIDS RESCUERS SEARCHING FOR LOST HIKER

PAUL/ANCHOR: The lifesaving capabilities of DMR proved useful to a
hiker in New Hampshire recently. Sel Embee, KB3TZD, has that story.

SEL: A relaxing day with his dog turned into a dangerous trek for a
ham who was hiking the trails of central New Hampshire on Sunday,
December 11th. He had become lost -- and the coming sunset and
forecast of snow put him in even greater danger, especially after
the battery in his cell phone died. He had been carrying his DMR HT,
however, and placed a call for help on the statewide talkgroup using
a local repeater.

Bill Barber, N-E-one-B, heard the call and was able to contact the
man's wife. She notified police who joined firefighters in starting
a search. Bill also contacted Rick Zach, K-one-R-J-Zed, who knows
the area's trails. Rick stayed in touch with the lost amateur on the
statewide talk group while communicating with the search team.

At one point, the amateur unintentionally changed channels on his HT
but another amateur, Chuck Cunningham, K-one-M-eye-Zed, noticed this
had happened and was able to restore communications. The ham found
his way to a road and was picked up by the searchers at 6:30 p.m.

Telling this story on one of the QRZ.com forums, Raul (Rah-Oool)
"Skip" Camejo (cam ay HO), A-C-one-L-C, recommended that hikers
carry DMR radios because their batteries last longer.

Skip's story did not identify the ham, but wrote that thanks to the
three amateurs who heard his call on DMR "the wayward ham is going
to be able to enjoy another Christmas holiday with his family."

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

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

EMERGENCY RADIO TEAMS MERGE IN WESTERN CANADA

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

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

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

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

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

This is Andy Morrison, K9AWM.

(WIA, SAANICH NEWS)


**

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

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

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

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

This is Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

(RSGB)

**

HAM RADIO UNIVERSITY RETURNS AS ONLINE EVENT

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

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

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

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

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

This is Stephen Kinford, N8WB.

(HRU)

**

THREE WINNERS CHOSEN IN 'DREAM RIG' CONTEST

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

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

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

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

This is Jack Parker, W8ISH.

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

CONTEST UNIVERSITY 2023 ACCEPTING REGISTRATIONS

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

(CONTEST UNIVERSITY)

**

PROPOSAL WOULD ELIMINATE FCC'S SYMBOL RATE LIMITS

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

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

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

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

This is Kent Peterson, KC0DGY.

(DEBBIE LESKO WEBSITE, ARRL)

**

LAWMAKER CHALLENGES ANTENNA RESTRICTIONS

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

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

This is Jim Damron, N8TMW.

(BILL JOHNSON WEBSITE, ARRL)

**

SHORTWAVE SIGNALS USED IN PROBE OF ASTEROID

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

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

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

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

This is Ralph Squillace, KK6ITB.

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

AMSAT'S ANNUAL CW ACTIVITY DAY HONORS A PIONEER

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

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

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

(AMSAT)

**

OHIO HAMS EXEMPT FROM DISTRACTED-DRIVER LAW

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

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

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

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

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

This is Jack Parker, W8ISH.

(SPRINGFIELD NEWS-SUN)

**

NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR 'YOUNG HAM LENDS A HAND' CONTEST

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

(RADIO CLUB OF AMERICA)

**

NEW LEADERSHIP AT AMPLITUDE MODULATION INTERNATIONAL

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

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

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

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

This is Andy Morrison, K9AWM.

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

TECH CLASS OPERATORS WELCOME IN WINTERHEAT EVENT

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

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

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

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

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

This is Jack Parker, W8ISH.

(JOHN FULTON, K9AI)

**

SILENT KEY: CONTEST HALL OF FAMER FRED LAUN, K3ZO

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

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

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

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

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

Fred was 85.

(K8CX HAM GALLERY, ARRL)

**

SILENT KEY: CUBAN JOURNALIST, BROADCASTER ARNIE ANTIC, CO2KK

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

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

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

(SHORTWAVE LISTENING POST)

**

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the AH6LE repeater
in Beavercreek and Wilsonville Oregon on Sundays at 6 p.m. local time.
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)

IN THE US, FIELD DAY: IN THE WINTER?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I'm Mark Abramowicz, NT3V.

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

**

KFF MARATHON CHALLENGE GETS IN THE RUNNING

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

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

For details visit the WWFF-KFF page on Facebook.

This is Stephen Kinford, N8WB.

(WWFF)

**

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio
Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world including
the N5OZG (N 5 OH ZED G) repeater in New Orleans, Louisiana, on
Sundays at 8 p.m.
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)

CUBESAT WILL USE INFLATABLE ANTENNA SYSTEM

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

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

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

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

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

This is Jack Parker, W8ISH.

(ARIZONA PUBLIC MEDIA, UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA)

**

SWISS STUDENTS' SATELLITE PREPARES FOR LAUNCH

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

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

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

This is Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

(ORBITAL SOLUTIONS MONACO, AMSAT, IARU)

**

BREAK HERE:

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

NEWCOMERS GET SPOTLIGHT FOR RSGB CONSTRUCTION CONTEST

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

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

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

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

This is Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

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

**

FCC HELPS UNDERWRITE EXAM COST FOR YOUNG KENTUCKY AMATEURS

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

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

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

This is Jack Parker, W8ISH.

(WPSD LOCAL 6, ARRL)

**

SILENT KEY: MUSICIAN, EDUCATOR RODNEY MOAG, W5NDS

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

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

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

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

(QCWA, QRZ.COM, AUSTIN CHRONICLE)

**

BREAK HERE:

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

PROTOTYPE WIRELESS SYSTEM CALLED 'POWER-FREE'

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

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

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

This is Kent Peterson, KC0DGY.

(UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON, THE CONVERSATION.COM)

**

ARDC REPORTS ON $8 MILLION IN GRANTS GIVEN IN 2022

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

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

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

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

This is Sel Embee, KB3TZD.

(ARDC)

**

SKYWARN TEAM OPTS FOR SURPRISE IN NEXT DRILL

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

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

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

This is Randy Sly, W4XJ.

**

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the KB9LPP repeater
in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin on Saturdays at 9 a.m. and on Echolink.
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)

HAMS ADD MOMENTUM TO PANCREATIC CANCER EVENT

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

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

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

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

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

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

This is Jim Damron, N8TMW.

(RICH RYBA, WQ3Q)

**

SYDNEY HAM RADIO CLUB MARKS 100TH YEAR

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

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

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

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

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

Hope to catch you on the bands!

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

**

SILENT KEY: DXER, DXPEDITIONER MAMIRO YOSHIZAWA PY2DM

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

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

Mamiro Yoshizawa was 83.

This is Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

(QRZ.COM)

**

OFCOM APPROVES SPECIAL CALLS FOR 2 MORE DX CONTESTS

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

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

This is Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

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

SILENT KEY: FORMER FCC CHIEF ENGINEER RAY SPENCE, W4QAW

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

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

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

This is Jim Damron, N8TMW.

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

**

HAMVENTION AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

**

MAJOR INDIAN BROADCASTER HONORS WEST BENGAL HAM

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

(YOUTUBE)

**

IN SEARCH OF 'YOUNG HAM OF THE YEAR'

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

**

BREAK HERE:

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

HAMS IN DELAWARE MOBILIZE FOR SURPRISE WEATHER DRILL

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

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

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

This is Randy Sly, W4XJ.

**

NEW CW NET IN IRELAND ATTRACTS 'NERVOUS NOVICES'

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

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

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

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

This is Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

(IRTS)

**

FCC NOMINEE WON'T PURSUE CONFIRMATION

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

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

(WASHINGTON POST)

**

EX-AGENCY OFFICIALS PRESS TO KEEP AM RADIO IN CARS

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

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

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

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

This is Kent Peterson, KC0DGY.

(RADIO WORLD)

**

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the K6TZ repeater,
in Santa Barbara, California, on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. Pacific Time.
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)

CQ MAGAZINE NAMES NEW ASSOCIATE EDITOR

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

(CQ MAGAZINE)

**

SAFE SPLASHDOWN FOR FOUR ISS ASTRONAUTS

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

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

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

This is Andy Morrison, K9AWM.

(CNN.COM)

**

SILENT KEY: QCWA OFFICER GARY J. KIMBALL, WB2SER

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

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

Gary Kimball was 72.

This is Sel Embee, KB3TZD.

(LEGACY.COM. RON PANETTA, WB2WGH)

**

RECORD FINES FOR STATIONS CHARGED WITH PIRACY

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

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

The FCC is awaiting response from both stations.

(RADIO WORLD)

**

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the WM9W repeater
in Chicago, Illinois, shortly after midnight local time on Tuesdays
during the Nightcrawlers Net.
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)

PEI AMATEUR HONORED FOR LIGHTHOUSE ACTIVITY

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

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

All the best, George!

**

A SPACE JOURNEY OF EXPLORATION

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

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

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

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

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

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

This is John Williams, VK4JJW.

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

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

**

AUTISM AWARENESS SPECIAL EVENT BEGINS

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

(QRZ.COM)

**

GETTING TO THE HEART OF THE SUN

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

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

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

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

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

This is Kent Peterson, KC0DGY.

(NEW JERSEY INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, SCI TECH DAILY)
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
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NEW AUSTRALIAN LICENSE PUT ON HOLD

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

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

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

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

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

This is John Williams, VK4JJW.

(AMCA)

**

ANOTHER VOICE WEIGHS IN TO KEEP AM RADIO IN US CARS

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

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

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

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

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

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

This is Kent Peterson, KC0DGY.

(RADIO WORLD)

**

SILENT KEY: EMERGENCY RESPONDER DANIEL RAYMOND, KC1PGR

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

Dan was 57.

(T.H. MERRITT, KL5YJ)

**

THE ART OF ANTENNA EXPERIMENTATION

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

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

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

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

This is Sel Embee, KB3TZD.

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

RADIO WAVES LEAD TO DISCOVERY OF NEW EXOPLANET

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

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

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

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

This is Dave Parks, WB8ODF.

(CNN, JENNY TUPPER, NASA)

**

ISS ASTRONAUT TO SET NEW SPACE RECORD

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

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

This is Paul Braun, WD9GCO.

(SPACE.COM)

**

GIVING AMATEUR RADIO A GOOD RIDE IN AUSTRALIA

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

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

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

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

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

This is Graham Kemp, VK4BB.

(WIA, QRZ)

**

BREAK HERE:

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

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

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

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

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

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

This is Graham Kemp, VK4BB.

**

WRTC CHAMPIONS WITHDRAW FROM COMPETITION

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

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

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

(WRTC 2022 REFLECTOR, WRTC WEBSITE)

**

NEW COURSE IN 'LEARNING HOW TO LEARN' CW

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

(CWINNOVATIONS.NET)

**

GRANT ALLOWS YOUTH ON THE AIR AMERICAS CAMP TO EXPAND

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

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

This is Kevin Trotman, N5PRE.

(ARDC, YOUTH ON THE AIR CAMP)

**

SCIENTIST TEAM EYES EARLIER MAXIMUM FOR SOLAR CYCLE 25

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

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

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

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

This is Patrick Clark, K8TAC.

(FRONTIERS IN ASTRONOMY AND SPACE SCIENCES)
--- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)

INDIAN RESEARCHERS DEVELOP MICRO-SUPERCAPACITOR

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

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

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

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

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

This is Jason Daniels, VK2LAW.

(IEEE SPECTRUM)

**

SILENT KEY: CALGARY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATOR JASON LOW, VE6SRT

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jay was 50.

This is Andy Morrison, K9AWM.

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

**

SILENT KEY: STEVE SZABO, WB4OMM

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

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

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

Steve was 70.

This is Kevin Trotman, N5PRE.

(QRZ, WB4OMM WEBSITE, DIGNITY MEMORIAL)

**

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world including the AH6LE repeater
in Beavercreek and Wilsonville, Oregon, on Sundays at 6 p.m. local time.
--- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)

GRANT FUNDS STUDENT COURSE ON SPECTRUM AT OBSERVATORY

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

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

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

The observatory is a facility of the National Science Foundation.

This is Sel Embee, KB3TZD.

(ARDC)

**

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

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

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

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

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

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

This is Kevin Trotman, N5PRE.

(LEGACY.COM, 3916 FREEWHEELERS NET)

**

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

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

**

BREAK HERE:

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

DAVE KALTER MEMORIAL YOUTH DX ADVENTURE CANCELLED

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

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

(DARA)

**

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

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

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

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

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

This is Graham Kemp, VK4BB.

(YL BEAM)

**

AMSAT PRESIDENT'S CLUB RELEASES COMMEMORATIVE COIN

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

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

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

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

This is Neil Rapp, WB9VPG.

(AMSAT NEWS SERVICE)

**

NETS OF NOTE: APRS THURSDAY

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

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

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

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

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

This is Patrick Clark, K8TAC.

(APRS NET)

**

NOMINATE NEXT 'YOUNG HAM OF THE YEAR'

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

BILL REINTRODUCED TO PROPOSE HF DIGITAL CHANGES

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

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

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

This is Sel Embee, KB3TZD.

(ARRL, REP. DEBBIE LESKO)

**

FORMER FCC CHAIRMAN NEWTON MINOW DIES AT 97

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

(NPR)

**

POPULAR SATELLITE DECAYS FROM ORBIT

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

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

This is Stephen Kinford, N8WB.

(AMSAT NEWS SERVICE, CAMSAT)

**

HAMS, START YOUR ENGINES FOR THE BIG RACE

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

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

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

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

Reporting from Indianapolis, this is Jack Parker, W8ISH.

**

TRY NEWSLINE'S HAIKU CHALLENGE

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

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

**

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline
heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the AH6LE repeater
on Sundays at 6 p.m. in Beavercreek and Wilsonville Oregon.
--- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)

A SUCCESSFUL HAMVENTION 2023 IS IN THE LOG

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

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

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

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

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

**

US AUTOMAKER WON'T ELIMINATE AM RADIO IN NEW CARS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This is Kent Peterson, KC0DGY.

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

**

EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION RANGE EXPANDS IN SOUTH CAROLINA

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

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

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

This is Kevin Trotman, N5PRE.

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

HAMS CLAIM DISTANCE RECORD FOR SATELLITE

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

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

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

This is Neil Rapp, WB9VPG.

(AMATEUR RADIO DAILY, AMSAT)

**

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

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

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

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

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

This is Don Wilbanks, AE5DW.

**

RADIO SOCIETY OF GREAT BRITAIN SEEKS EDITOR

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

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

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

This is Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

(RSGB)

**

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline,
heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the N5OZG repeater
of the Crescent City Amateur Radio Group in Metairie, Louisiana,
following the net on Sundays at 8 p.m.
--- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

An Ohio native, Jerry was 85 years old.

This is Randy Sly W4XJ.

(EDDIE MISIEWICZ, KB3YRU)

**

CENTRAL STATES VHF SOCIETY CONFERENCE RETURNS TO ARKANSAS

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

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

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

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

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

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

This is Andy Morrison, K9AWM.

(AMATEUR RADIO DAILY, CENTRAL STATES VHF SOCIETY)

**

ARRL JOINS PROGRAM TO ENHANCE NATIONAL SAFETY

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

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

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

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

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

SATELLITE QSOS TO FLY HIGH FOR FIELD DAY

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

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

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

The exchange is the traditional ARRL Field Day Exchange.

This is Sel Embee, KB3TZD.

(AMSAT NEWS SERVICE)

**

NEWSLINE'S NEIL RAPP WB9VPG RECEIVES YASME EXCELLENCE AWARD

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

(YASME FOUNDATION)

**

HAM RADIO HELPS IN DRAMATIC RESCUE IN IDAHO

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

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

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

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

This is Dave Parks, WB8ODF.

(SCOUTING MAGAZINE, THE SEATTLE TIMES)

**

TRY NEWSLINE'S HAIKU CHALLENGE

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

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

13 COLONIES OPERATING EVENT MARKS 15th YEAR

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I’m Mark Abramowicz, NT3V.

**

SATELLITE ENTHUSIASTS ENCOURAGED TO TAKE THE 'LEDSAT' CHALLENGE

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

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

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

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

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

(EUROPEAN SPACE AGENY, S5LAB, AMSAT NEWS)

**

BUSINESSMAN AND ALMA MATER'S HAM CLUB SHARE A MILESTONE

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

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

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

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

HUNT A WRTC COMPETITOR AND COMPETE FOR AN AWARD

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

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

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

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

This is Graham Kemp, VK4BB.

(WRTC)

**

FCC SETS APPLICATION WINDOW FOR LOW-POWER FM STATIONS

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

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

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

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

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

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

This is Kent Peterson, KC0DGY.

(FCC, RADIOWORLD)

**

SATELLITE ENTHUSIASTS REGISTER FOR CONVENTION IN INDIA

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

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

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

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

There will also be plenty of opportunity to socialize.

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

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

[DO NOT READ: oc.beaham.in ]

This is Jim Meachen, ZL2BHF.

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

CLIPPERTON ISLAND DXPEDITION TO INCLUDE SATELLITE

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

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

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

This is Neil Rapp, WB9VPG.

(AMSAT, CLIPPERTON ISLAND WEBSITE)

**

HONORS FOR FILM ABOUT HAM CLUB IN SCOTLAND

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

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

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

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

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

This is Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

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

**

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

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

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

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

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

This is Jack Parker, W8ISH.

(WIA, QRZ)

**

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

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

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

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

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

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

This is Jason Daniels, VK2LAW.

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

SCOUTING'S GIRLS, BOYS ON AIR FOR NATIONAL JAMBOREE

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

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

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

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

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

**

COAST-TO-COAST EVENT CELEBRATES RETIRED AIRCRAFT

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

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

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

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

This is Sel Embee, KB3TZD.

(PHILLIP TANNER, VA7XOZ)

**

ROCKALL EXPEDITIONER RESCUED SAFELY

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

(BBC.COM, ROCKALLEXPED.COM)

**

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio
Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world including the
VK8MA repeater in Australia's Northern Territory, on Sundays at 7 p.m.
local time.
--- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (432:1/112)

RADIO OPERATOR NEEDED FOR INDIAN ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION

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

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

This is Graham Kemp, VK4BB.

(NCPOR)

**

SUCCESSFUL ORBIT FOR CUBESATS BUILT IN PHILIPPINES

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

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

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

This is Jason Daniels, VK2LAW.

(AMSAT NEWS, STAMINA4SPACE)

**

CHURCHES AND CHAPELS ON THE AIR GETS FOOTHOLD IN US

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

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

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

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

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

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

This is Kevin Trotman, N5PRE.

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

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