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Subj: Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2434 for Friday June
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Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2434 for Friday June 21st, 2024
Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2434 with a release date of Friday,
June 21st, 2024 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.
The following is a QST. NASA's got good copy on the Voyager 1 space probe.
The US military vows to be more aware of hobbyists' balloons -- and another
electronics retailer is shutting its doors. All this and more as Amateur
Radio Newsline Report Number 2434 comes your way right now.
**
BILLBOARD CART
**
VOYAGER 1 BACK IN ACTION FROM DEEP SPACE
PAUL/ANCHOR: Our top story takes us into deep space. Few things are more
frustrating than not getting clear copy on a signal but when it's being sent
by Voyager 1 some 15 billion miles away and it's garbled, it's a matter of
serious concern. NASA reports that Voyager 1 is back in action on all four
instruments. Ralph Squillace tells us about it:
RALPH: Launched in 1977, NASA's deep space probe Voyager 1, had more than
outlived the space agency's expectations for a useful life. Nonetheless when
some of its transmission came in garbled last November, NASA believed this
might signal the end of usefulness for the farthest-traveling human-made
spacecraft.
Scientists were wrong. Various media reports say that Voyager 1 has returned
to sending data on magnetic fields, plasma waves and space-bound particles,
just as before.
Popular Science in its June 14th report called it "the little spacecraft
that could."
That turnaround didn't happen overnight. In April, the Voyager 1 team was
able to collect some engineering data, which gave hope that the partial fix
could re-establish full functionality. In May, two of the four equipment
arrays were brought back into service. Additional maintenance is said to be
needed but on the matter of usable science data, it is good copy all the
way.
This is Ralph Squillace KK6ITB.
(SPACE.COM, AP, POPULAR SCIENCE)
**
BOSTON-AREA ELECTRONICS RETAILER TO SHUT AFTER 75 YEARS
PAUL/ANCHOR: Another beloved electronics retailer in the US is closing its
doors after 75 years in business. Sel Embee KB3TZD has the details.
SEL: Seventy-five years ago, businessman John Ahigian [UH-HIDGE-YUN] opened
the doors of his new business, the “You-Do-Itö Electronics Center in
Needham, Massachusetts. Its highly visible neon sign was well-known among
hobbyists, and those in search of buying electronics and electronics parts.
The businessman died in 2022 at the age of 94. But the store, which employed
many of John Ahigian's family members, continued to attract loyal shoppers.
Apparently, the draw wasn't enough: On the 13th of June, the business sent
customers an email announcing it would be shutting later this year.
According to the website Boston.com, which carried the news, customers went
on social media to lament the impending loss, telling stories about how they
would seek out tips, advice and spare parts at the store. The website quoted
one longtime customer, Alex Guaraldi, who called the business [quote] "a
better version of what RadioShack was back in the day." [endquote]
The website also quoted Stuart Brorson, an electrical engineering professor
at Northeastern University, who blamed the internet for the store's demise,
saying that larger retail outlets are capable of overnight shipping on
cheaper components and equipment.
Until its doors close permanently, the store's inventory, office furnishings
and even its shelves will be offered for purchase at big discounts.
This is Sel Embee, K-B-3-T-Zed-D.
(BOSTON.COM)
**
YASME ANNOUNCES EXCELLENCE AWARD WINNERS
PAUL/ANCHOR: A past winner of Newsline's International Newsmaker of the Year
award has been among those chosen for the Yasme Foundation's Excellence
Award, which recognizes exemplary operating, technical and organizational
accomplishments.
Congratulations to Raisa Skrynnikova [SKREE NICK KO-VA}, R1BIG, who is being
honored by Yasme for her YouTube channel, YL Raisa, which educates and
entertains its more than 15,000 subscribers and spreads good will by
welcoming newcomers to amateur radio. Raisa was last year's recipient of the
International Newsmaker of the Year Award from Newsline.
Other winners include Randy Hall, K7AGE, who is being recognized for his
substantial library of YouTube videos and according to Yasme "exemplifies
the ham radio mentor." Rudy Severns, N6LF, is being honored for the
revisions and expansions he has accomplished in the ARRL Antenna Book in its
chapter "Effects of Ground." He is credited with helping to open up the 630
and 2200 meter bands as the holder of an experimental license.
Philip Gladstone, N1DQ, is being recognized for his role in citizen-science
and ham radio. The Gladstone Signal Spotting Challenge bears his name.
Philip is the creator and maintainer of the PSKReporter.info website, also
known as the Digimode Automatic Propagation Reporter.
Finally, Paul Schreier, HB9DST, (AA1MI), is being honored for his active
role in Summits on the Air and his efforts as a board member of the Helvetia
Telegraphy Club. He is also a top organizer of many events including the
World High Speed Telegraphy Championships held in 2012.
(YASME FOUNDATION)
**
YLS ASCEND SUMMITS TO BE "QUEENS OF THE MOUNTAINS"
PAUL/ANCHOR: In many parts of the world, amateur radio is moving in sync
with Mother Nature, finding its way increasingly outdoors. The first weekend
in June seemed to be a worldwide celebration of operating from mountains and
other summits, and here in the US, an organized group of YLs established a
new tradition. We hear about it from Andy Morrison K9AWM.
ANDY: Never mind playing King of the Hill. Paula K9IR, Amy AG7GP, and a few
dozen YLs around the US - if not the world - were Queens of the Mountains.
It happened on the weekend of June 8th and 9th when it seemed that many of
the more adventurous ham radio operators were heading to the summits. The
pair were kicking off an inaugural YL SOTA event to encourage women to try
activating for Summits on the Air and to support one another in making
summit-to-summit QSOs. Amy told Newsline she and Paula were inspired to try
out this event after a group of eight YLs activated a summit in July of last
year during the Pacific Northwest W7O (W Seven Oh) SOTA campout. Although
near-blackout conditions for radio posed challenges on the first day, this
was hardly the toughest obstacle the YLs faced. Amy said many of the
activators braved heavy rain, mud, poison ivy and vehicle break-downs. She
told Newsline: [quote] "Doing Summits on the Air, you learn to be prepared
for the extra environmental challenges." [endquote] Despite those challenges
- or perhaps because of them - expect the Queens of the Mountains to be back
on top next year.
This is Andy Morrison K9AWM.
(AMY HAPTONSTALL, AG7GP)
**
IN WALES, SUMMIT ACTIVATORS GO "WHOLE HOG"
PAUL/ANCHOR: Meanwhile on the same weekend in Wales, despite seriously
crowded band conditions, no one accused SOTA activators of hogging the
airwaves. Going whole hog came afterward as activators feasted during the
third annual GW SOTA S2S and Hog Roast, organized by Ben GW4BML. Jeremy Boot
G4NJH serves up this story.
JEREMY: Saturday the 8th of June dawned grey and damp but activators'
appetites were intact for the day ahead, regardless.
Sunshine eventually peeked through and the activators grabbed whatever spots
they could find on 2m, 70cm and 40m. They listened for signals from their
chasers - as well as from one another. In a report shared with Newsline,
Allan GW4VPX, said that some of the operators reported more than 30
contacts, a mix of chasers and summit-to-summit exchanges. Some activators
had travelled a great distance from throughout England and Wales to
participate.
Almost everyone wanted to log GB4HOG, the special event callsign of Richard
G3CWI, who co-founded Summits on the Air in 2002. Richard was chasing QSOs
from the site where the hog roast would later be held.
Sure enough, by mid-afternoon, full logs were exchanged for full bellies as
62 activators, spouses and chasers shared their adventures. The tables were
as crowded as the bands had been -- and everyone seemed to be hogging the
food.
This is Jeremy Boot G4NJH.
(BEN GW4BML)
**
BREAK HERE:
Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline,
heard on bulletin stations around the world including the N6ICW repeater
system in the Sacramento, California area during the Monday ARES/RACES net
which starts at 7:30 local time.
**
FCC SAYS MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED ROUTER, WI-FI POWER LIMITS
PAUL/ANCHOR: A major electronics manufacturer has been sanctioned by the FCC
for making what the bureau says were changes to legal power limits on Wi-Fi
devices and routers. Kent Peterson KCØDGY brings us the details.
KENT: The US Federal Communications Commission has proposed a fine of more
than ABFSL2HM$67,000 against a major electronics manufacturer for selling Wi-Fi
adapters and routers that the commission believes were modified to exceed
legal power limits.
The report of the action against ASUSTek Computer Inc. was posted on the FCC
website on Friday June 14th. The equipment marketing violation charge
includes sanctions against ASUSTek Computer, which is based in Taiwan and
Asus Computer, the wholly owned affiliate that markets the routers in the
US.
The bureau's posting said it had a complaint from a purchaser of three model
GT-AXE routers and when they were tested by a certified laboratory, the
authorized power exceeded legal limits by between 4 and 9 dB, or nearly
eight times the legal power level on some frequencies.
The Notice of Apparent Liability noted that the company and the FCC had
entered into a consent decree following an investigation of similar
violations involving Wi-Fi adapters and routers.
The FCC posting did not include a statement from the company, nor was there
comment from Asus Computer on the company website.
This is Kent Peterson KCØDGY.
(FCC, FORBES)
**
US MILITARY TO IMPROVE TRACKING OF HOBBYISTS' BALLOONS
PAUL/ANCHOR: Hobbyists will be glad to know that the US military is making
an effort to be more balloon-friendly. Patrick Clark K8TAC explains.
PATRICK: NORAD - the North American Aerospace Defense Command - has been
making a concentrated effort to track and identify objects that might be
high-altitude weather, research or hobbyist radio balloons, such as ones
launched by amateur radio clubs and school groups. NORAD is now studying
numerous websites to determine as best as it can what balloons are flying
over North America at any given time. US fighter jets shot down three
hobbyists' balloons in 2023 after detecting - and shooting down - another
high-altitude balloon, which the government department identified as a spy
balloon from China.
Steven Armstrong, NORAD's chief of strategic engagement, told the military
website Task & Purpose that NORAD is now taking a closer look at raw radar
returns to ensure more hobbyists' balloons don't meet the same fate. NORAD
now reaches out to hobbyist or researcher groups when it is practical to do
so.
It seems to be working. Armstrong said that in April, NORAD confirmed there
was a hobbyist balloon that had been launched but concluded it did not pose
a threat.
This is Patrick Clark K8TAC.
(TASK AND PURPOSE, SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN)
**
YOUNG RADIO OPS TAKE UP THE CHALLENGE FOR TURKEY'S POTA
PAUL/ANCHOR: The Parks on the Air program is still very young in Turkey --
and now, so are some of its biggest fans. We learn who they are from Jason
Daniels VK2LAW.
JASON: Two years after Furkhan, TA7H, put his home country of Turkey on the
POTA map, the Parks on the Air programme in Turkey has been growing bigger
and younger every day. In a country where only 67 of the 322 listed parks
have been activated so far, younger amateurs have begun taking up the
challenge this year. Now, about half of Turkey's POTA activators are young
amateurs, according to Ersan, TA1EYE.
Ersan said a quartet of four young radio operators in search of outdoor
activities away from the RFI of the city are now leading the way. TA3TGC,
TA3LCK, TB3BDV and 4K6IJ, have operated in the parks around Bursa City using
their club call sign YM3KB, then moved on with their radios into parks near
other cities. Meanwhile, young POTA enthusiasts TA7YLY, TA7AZC and TA7EK
have been calling CQ POTA in the Black Sea region. Ersan said this trio also
did some of the earliest activations the year POTA began in Turkey.
Furkan was inspired to bring POTA to Turkey after operating from the US as
W7AOF and quickly logging parks in all 50 US states.
He received the names of the national and nature parks from the Ministry of
Agriculture and Forestry, collected the necessary data for them and
processed them for the POTA database.
This year, to further nurture POTA in Turkey, the website tadx dot org
(tadx.org) was launched to show the parks listed in Turkey and the team's
park-related activities. It can only get busier.
This is Jason Daniels VK2LAW.
(ERSAN, TA1EYE)
**
WORLD OF DX
In the World of DX, listen for Vitaly, F4WBU, active as TM17CEF through to
the 28th of June and as TM24F from the 29th of June through to the 14th of
July. He is using these callsigns in recognition of the 17th edition of the
UEFA European Football Championship, the quadrennial international men's
football championship of Europe being held in Germany. See QRZ.com for QSL
details.
Listen for Jeff, W7BRS, operating as VK2/W7BRS from Lord Howe Island, IOTA
Number OC-004, from the 20th of July to the 1st of August. He will operate
CW, SSB and FT8 in fox and hound mode on 40-10 metres. QSL via MØURX's
OQRS.
Listen for TM67OG (TM Six Seven Oh Gee) on the air during the Paris 2024
Olympic Torch Relay and the Games. You may hear this callsign between the
25th of June and the 27th of July. A second callsign, TM67JO, will be on the
air between the 26th of July and the 11th of August. QSL information is
available on QRZ.com.
Michael, DF8AN, is on the air from Jersey, IOTA Number EU-Ø13, as MJ/DF8AN,
until the 25th of June. Michael is using some CW and digital modes on 80
through 6m. See QRZ.com for QSL details.
(425 DX BULLETIN)
**
KICKER: 'CAREER DAYS' MAKES DEBUT AT HAM FAIR IN GERMANY
PAUL/ANCHOR: For our final story we visit the international Ham Radio
exhibition in Friedrichshafen [Freed-Ricks-Harf-Ven], Germany, which will
have its doors open between the 28th and 30th of June. This year's event has
found a way to combine the amateur with the professional - and Jeremy Boot
G4NJH tells us how.
JEREMY: Employers in technical fields and prospective job candidates will
have a chance to meet up for the first time this year in Friedrichshafen to
see who is hiring and who is hunting. According to the organisers' website,
the job marketplace recognises that hams are ideal candidates for employment
in technical fields and their amateur skills fit well in a professional
environment. Career days will be held for two days - the 28th and 29th of
June.
Visitors can now have a lot more to look forward to than a fancy new state-
of-the art rig: They will perhaps find a new way to afford it.
This is Jeremy Boot G4NJH.
(HAM RADIO FRIEDRICHSHAFEN)
**
DO YOU HAIKU?
If a good day of radio is like poetry to you, pick up a pencil and join the
Amateur Radio Newsline haiku challenge. 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 Allan, GW4VPX; Amateur Radio Daily; Amy
Haptonstall, AG7GP; ARRL; Associated Press; Ben Lloyd, GW4BML; Boston.com;
CQ Magazine; David Behar K7DB; Ersan, TA1EYE; FCC; 425DXNews; Forbes: Ham
Radio Friedrichshafen; Popular Science; QRZ.com; Scientific American;
shortwaveradio.de; Space.com; Task & Purpose; Yasme Foundation; 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 Paul Braun WD9GCO in Valparaiso Indiana 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 23-jun-2024 11:22 E. South America Standard Time
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