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Subj: Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2431 for Friday May
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Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2431 for Friday May 31st, 2024
Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2431 with a release date of Friday, May
31st, 2024 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.
The following is a QST. Hams in India respond to the region's first major
cyclone of the year. The FCC wants input on the recent solar storm -- and
hams appreciate the power of QRP. All this and more as Amateur Radio
Newsline Report Number 2431 comes your way right now.
**
BILLBOARD CART
**
HAMS RESPOND TO INDIAN REGION'S FIRST MAJOR CYCLONE
STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Our top story is the deadly tropical cyclone that left parts
of coastal India and Bangladesh devastated. In the middle of it all, hams
were there, relaying messages nonstop, as we hear from John Williams VK4JJW.
JOHN: As tropical cyclone Remal battered India and Bangladesh, a team of 27
amateur radio operators from West Bengal worked around the clock to keep the
lines of communications open in a region overtaken by lost power and
flooding.
By Sunday night, the West Bengal Radio Club responded to requests by local
authorities to set up at various strategic locations in and around the Sagar
Islands in Sunderbans. Operators used two mobile vans and eight control
rooms, communicating on VHF and UHF frequencies. According to updates the
amateurs posted on their Facebook page, the van patrolled the coastal areas
reporting back with updates to the control centers.
The deadly storm was estimated to have affected millions in the coastal
region of the two nations and the death toll estimates varied - but
continued to climb. Authorities rushed to have people evacuated as their
homes collapsed around them.
At its peak, the storm achieved maximum speeds of between 110 and 120 km/h,
with gusts of as much as 135 km/h. It was the region's first major cyclone
of the year.
This is John Williams VK4JJW.
(MILLENNIUM POST, AMBARISH NAG BISWAS, VU2JFA, BBC, ASSOCIATED PRESS)
**
RADIO CAROLINE HAS RENOVATION PLANS IN THE WATER
STEPHEN/ANCHOR: If you think your shack needs an overhaul, imagine being a
legendary pirate broadcaster in the UK. Jeremy Boot G4NJH tells us who's got
renovation plans in the water on their side of the pond.
JEREMY: Radio Caroline has marked six decades of radio off the coast of
England and is sailing ahead with its planned restoration of the Ross
Revenge, the vessel moored in the Blackwater Estuary that the former pirate
broadcaster calls home. The fishing trawler-turned-broadcast studio replaced
the Mi Amigo, Radio Caroline's previous pirate ship, which sank in a storm
in 1980. Radio Caroline first went on the air on the 28th of March 1964,
when it was only able to operate from outside of British territorial waters.
The support group that now runs the station was finally granted an AM
broadcast licence from Ofcom in 2017 with a frequency previously used by the
BBC.
A three-day anniversary celebration last March provided an open house to
listeners and other fans who had come to celebrate its legacy. Organisers
hope the anniversary festivities will provide an impetus for fundraising
that can cover the cost of a needed overhaul of the Ross Revenge, which was
built in 1960.
This is Jeremy Boot G4NJH.
(BBC, RADIO CAROLINE)
**
ENGINEER SUES EX-EMPLOYER OVER ANTENNA DESIGN'S MILITARY POTENTIAL
STEPHEN/ANCHOR: A former engineer for Honeywell is suing the company over
what he calls the military potential of an antenna design he developed while
employed there. We have the details from Kent Peterson KCØDGY.
KENT: A Minnesota engineer who developed a composite material to increase
antenna efficiency is suing his former employer, which had once widely
praised his patented creation as a breakthrough.
The design by Christopher Fuller, KDØWMU, facilitates speedier charging of
electric vehicles through the use of considerably smaller antennas.
Christopher's antenna design delivers the needed power as electromagnetic
energy - over long distances and without loss.
According to a report on the Star Tribune website, a Honeywell International
executive hailed Fuller at the time as being [quote] "the inventor of the
next multi-industry disruptor." [endquote]
Acknowledging that his antenna design also held the potential to power
military weapons from a distance, Christopher asked the US State Department
last year to scrutinize Honeywell's plan to market the technology to
overseas commercial customers. According to the Star Tribune story, the
engineer worried that Honeywell was potentially overstepping the federal
restrictions on exporting US military technology and was minimizing the
weapons potential aspect of the product.
Neither the state department nor the FBI responded to The Star Tribune's
requests for comment. A statement from Honeywell dismissed Christopher's
claims as baseless, adding that Honeywell International complies with US
export rules and regulations.
Christopher quit his job at Honeywell earlier this year, citing intolerable
work conditions that followed the inquiries he made to federal officials
about the company's overseas plans for the antenna design. He is now suing
Honeywell under the state's Whistleblower Act. That law was created to
protect workers from suffering consequences of reporting employer conduct
that they believe to be unlawful.
This is Kent Peterson KCØDGY.
(STAR TRIBUNE)
**
FCC SEEKS INPUT ON SOLAR STORM AFTERMATH
STEPHEN/ANCHOR: If you got on the air - or TRIED to get on the air - during
the historic G5 solar storm a few weeks ago, you weren't the only one to
notice the impact of all those coronal mass ejections. The FCC did too - and
the agency wants you to share the details of your experience. Travis Lisk
N3ILS tells you how.
TRAVIS: The HF frequencies experienced wide-ranging disturbances of a solar
storm that peaked on the 11th of May and the Federal Communications
Commission is hoping to take a second - and perhaps a third or fourth - look
at the impact. The bureau is looking for comments about disruptions
experienced in voice and data communications between the 7th and 11th of May
that are believed to be a direct result of the storm.
Commenters should submit evidence in the form of electromagnetic spectrum
analyses, imagery, or chronological logs along with a description of the
impacts. It would also be helpful to include the make and model of the
affected communications equipment - everything from transceivers, receivers,
transmitters and switches to routers and amplifiers. The details of the
report should also include frequencies affecte, the type of antenna and
cable and any relevant observations, such as the duration of the
disturbance.
File your comments no later than June 24th using the bureau's Electronic
Comment Filing System, responding to PS Docket number 24-161. See the link
in the text version of this week's newscast at arnewsline.org. Submissions
will be read by the FCC's Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau.
This is Travis Lisk N3ILS.
[DO NOT READ: https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs ]
(FCC)
**
HONORS FOR IARU REGION 2 EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR
STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Congratulations to Carlos Alberto Santamaria, CO2JC, the
IARU Region 2 emergency communications coordinator. The Meteorological
Society of Cuba has presented him with the Carlos Manuel Gonzßlez Ramirez
Award for his years of work overseeing radio response to hurricanes and
earthquakes and coordinating emergency frequency use. The award is named for
the popular late TV meteorologist who died last year.
**
HAMVENTION ATTENDANCE SETS RECORD
STEPHEN/ANCHOR: The worldwide gathering of radio amateurs in Xenia, Ohio,
was a record-setter, according to organizers of this year's Hamvention.
General chairman Jim Storms, AB8YK reported on social media that the
official attendance set a new high of 35,877 over the three days. That
topped last year's attendance of 33,861, which was also a record-setter.
Jim credited the more than 700 volunteers who worked an average of six hours
- sometimes more - to ensure that things went smoothly at the Greene County
Fairgrounds and Expo Center. Hamvention took place May 17th through May
19th.
The dates for Hamvention 2025 are May 16, 17 and 18.
(HAMVENTION)
**
NEW ZEALAND CW OPS WARM UP FOR STRAIGHT KEY NIGHT
STEPHEN/ANCHOR: CW operators in New Zealand are warming up for Winter
Straight Key Night. We have that story from Graham Kemp VK4BB.
GRAHAM: Hams are going back to the roots of CW operating with the help of
the New Zealand Morse Code Telegraph Key Directory. On the second Sunday in
June, they're dusting off their keys for Winter Straight Key Night taking
place on 80 metres between 8 and 9 p.m. local time. The band is expected to
light up with operators calling "SKN" or "CQ SKN." This event isn't about
the number of contacts made - it places importance on the quality of the
code being sent. The Best Fist Award will be given to the one operator who
receives the most nominations from other operators participating in Straight
Key Night. The award bears the name of well-known CW operator Bruce Scahill
ZL1BWG, who became a Silent Key in December of 2022.
Neither logs nor summary sheets are necessary -- just a willingness to pay
tribute to CW, as always.
This is Graham Kemp VK4BB.
(NZ NET NEWS, WIA)
**
BREAK HERE: Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio
Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the K8SCH
repeater of the OH-KY-IN [pronounced OH-KUY-YUN] Amateur Radio Society in
Cincinnati Ohio on Wednesdays at 9 p.m. local time. Newsline has played
during the TechTalk net for more than 35 years!
**
HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES INCLUDE CQ PUBLISHER DICK ROSS, K2MGA/SK
STEPHEN/ANCHOR: There are three new inductees into the CQ Amateur Radio Hall
of Fame and one of them is the amateur who had been at the helm of the
magazine when he became a Silent Key in April. We have details -- and the
names of the new Hall of Famers - from Jack Parker W8ISH.
JACK: CQ magazine's former publisher, Dick Ross, K2MGA, who recently became
a Silent Key, has been inducted into three CQ Halls of Fame: the Amateur
Radio Hall of Fame, the DX Hall of Fame and the Contest Hall of Fame. Dick
became a Silent Key in April at age 84 after a lifetime of providing the
world's amateurs with relevant news and information through a variety of
publications, most notably CQ magazine itself.
Dick is among three amateurs whose names were recently added to the roster
of the Amateur Radio Hall of Fame.
Joachim Kraft, DL8HCZ/CT1HZE and Tim Duffy, K3LR, have also become new
inductees. Joachim has published the globally read English-language amateur
radio magazine DUBUS, which is devoted to DXing on the 6m, 2m and higher
bands. For decades, he has widely shared his special knowledge on
propagation in the VHF/UHF and microwave bands. The magazine's name is a
German acronym borrowed from the Berlin DUBUS group, which issued it as a
newsletter.
Tim's induction follows his inclusion in the CQ Contest Hall of Fame in
2006. The announcement said that his latest honor was given for [quote] "his
lifetime achievements that far transcend his contesting accomplishments."
[endquote] Tim's other awards include the RCA Barry Goldwater Amateur Radio
service award which he received in 2010; the Hamvention Amateur of the Year,
given to him in 2015; and the YASME Excellence award, which he received in
2016.
This is Jack Parker W8ISH.
(AMATEUR NEWS WEEKLY, CQ HALL OF FAME)
**
MISSOURI HAMS DONATE SHACK TO NONPROFIT CAMPGROUND
STEPHEN/ANCHOR: A former Scout camp facility outside Joplin, Missouri that
recently became a camping site for a variety of community groups has just
undergone another transformation - this time, into a QTH for amateur radio.
Randy Sly W4XJ tells us how.
RANDY: The 175 acres comprising Camp Childress has a pool, a climate-
controlled dining hall, hiking trails, a trout pond and now, a ham shack.
Formerly owned by the Ozark Trails Council of the Scouting organization, the
nonprofit camp welcomes community groups, athletic groups, church groups and
organizations for the disabled - and if any of them have radio amateurs
among their ranks, they can enjoy some on-the-air time as well as the great
outdoors. The Joplin Amateur Radio Club recently donated radio equipment and
a tower to Camp Childress using club funds and a grant from the ARRL.
It took no time at all for the station to get camping hams into the spirit.
Club president Rex Chambers, WAØUPB, told the Four States Homepage that the
station's first day on the air added contacts with Florida, Montana and
Portugal to the log book. In fact, Portugal was the first contact made -
hopefully the first of many, many more. Good DX, Camp Childress.
This is Randy Sly W4XJ
(FACEBOOK, FOUR STATES HOMEPAGE)
**
REUNION PLANNED FOR YOTA CAMP ALUMNI
STEPHEN/ANCHOR: What's almost as good as going back to YOTA camp? A reunion
among former YOTA campers in Region 2 who have shared amateur radio
adventures and recreational activities at the nonprofit camp for youth
between the ages of 15 and 25. They will be joining former camp mates at
the first YOTA camper reunion taking place in June. This time no travel
plans or hotel reservations will be needed as this will be a virtual
reunion, happening over Zoom. Campers are deciding between Saturday, June
8th; Sunday, June 9th; Saturday, June 15th or Sunday, June 16th via a
virtual voting system. Meanwhile, this year's campers are getting ready for
their own YOTA experience, which will take place in July in Halifax, Nova
Scotia.
(YOTA)
**
WORLD OF DX
In the World of DX, listen for John, W5JON, operating as V47JA from St.
Kitts, IOTA Number NA-104, until the 13th of June. He will operate SSB and
FT8 on the HF bands and 6 metres. See QRZ.com for QSL details.
On the 31st of May through to the 2nd of June, listen for callsign GBØHUL,
which is on the air to mark more than 100 years of amateur radio around the
city of Hull. Operators are from the Hull & District Amateur Radio Society
and members of the Humber Fortress Amateur Radio Club. Be listening on the
HF bands for SSB, FT4 and FT8. See QRZ.com for more details.
Dave, WJ2O, is operating on Pitcairn Island, IOTA Number OC-044, using the
callsign VP6DF, until the 10th of June. He is operating mainly CW on 40
through 10 metres. Listen for him also on 160 and 80 metres. QSL via N2ZN
and LoTW.
Members of Ari Colli Albani, IQØHV, are on the air as IIØLOR [Eye Eye Zero
El Oh R] until the 30th of June, marking the 80th anniversary of Rome's
liberation during the Second World War. QSL via IØKNQ. Certificates will be
available. See QRZ.com for details.
(QRZ.COM, 425 DX BULLETIN)
**
KICKER: A POWERFUL PUSH FOR MORE QRP
STEPHEN/ANCHOR: We end this week with a powerful idea that doesn't really
require much power at all: QRP. IARU Region 3 has declared the 17th of June
to be QRP Day, a day when hams are being encouraged to amplify their
interest and activities in QRP. John Williams VK4JJW us about it.
JOHN: In September of 1997, those attending the 10th conference of IARU
Region 3 in Beijing took to heart a suggestion that year from the New
Zealand Association of Radio Transmitters. NZART argued convincingly in
favour of promoting QRP operating more in magazine articles, contests and
other activities -- and for setting aside one day a year to focus on low-
power operating.
QRP Day was born. Once again this year, Yuki JH1NBN, secretary of IARU
Region 3, has reminded amateur radio societies and their members that QRP
Day draws closer. Not surprisingly, some New Zealand amateurs are already
well into the spirit of the day. They have been participating in Go QRP
Night on the last Saturday of each month during winter. So they are perhaps
more QRV than most - but even first-timers are encouraged to turn down their
power and see what kind of magic happens.
In a world of superstations and linear amplifiers, a little power can go a
long way.
This is John Williams VK4JJW.
(IARU REGION 3, WIA)
**
DO YOU HAIKU?
Don't forget the Amateur Radio Newsline haiku challenge. If you're not too
busy tuning your antennas or chasing the latest DXpedition, pick up a pencil
and share your experience by sending an original haiku to us here at
Newsline. Use the entry form on our website, arnewsline.org and please
follow the rules for writing your three-line haiku -- sorry but we cannot
accept any entries that aren't written in traditional haiku form. Share with
fellow listeners the poetry that is inspired by your ham radio experience!
NEWSCAST CLOSE: With thanks to Amateur Radio Weekly; Associated Press; CQ
Magazine; David Behar K7DB; DXWorld; Facebook; FCC; Four States Homepage;
425DXNews; Hamvention; IARU Region 3; Millennium Post; New Zealand Net News;
QRZ.com; Radio Caroline; shortwaveradio.de; Star Tribune; Wireless Institute
of Australia; YOTA; and you our listeners, that's all from the Amateur Radio
Newsline. We remind our listeners that Amateur Radio Newsline is an all-
volunteer non-profit organization that incurs expenses for its continued
operation. If you wish to support us, please visit our website at
arnewsline.org and know that we appreciate you all. We also remind our
listeners that if you like our newscast, please leave us a 5-star rating
wherever you subscribe to us. For now, with Caryn Eve Murray KD2GUT at the
news desk in New York, and our news team worldwide, I'm Stephen Kinford N8WB
in Wadsworth Ohio saying 73. As always we thank you for listening. Amateur
Radio Newsline(tm) is Copyright 2024. All rights reserved.
73 de Bill, PY2BIL
PY2BIL@PY2BIL.SP.BRA.SOAM
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BBS: PY2BIL - Timed 31-mai-2024 10:26 E. South America Standard Time
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