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PY2BIL > ARNR 10.11.23 13:21l 386 Lines 18084 Bytes #182 (0) @ WW
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Subj: Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2402 for Friday Nove
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Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2402 for Friday November 10th, 2023
Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2402 with a release date of Friday
November 10th, 2023 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.
The following is a QST. Fire destroys an important part of a worldwide
beacon network. There's an easier method to report RFI in Germany -- and a
dying Dutch satellite is looking for its final contacts. All this and more
as Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2402 comes your way right now.
**
BILLBOARD CART
**
FIRE DESTROYS KEY BEACON ON MADEIRA ISLAND
DON/ANCHOR: An important guide to ionospheric conditions for hams and non-
hams alike has been damaged beyond repair. It was the newest beacon in the
network of the International Beacon Project of the Northern California DX
Foundation and the IARU. Ralph Squillace KK6ITB has that story.
RALPH: A wildfire destroyed one of the newest installations to the Northern
California DX Foundation's International Beacon Project. A blaze in October
destroyed radio beacon CS3B on the Portuguese island of Madeira off Africa's
northwest coast. The CW beacon had been in operation barely a month when
fire swept through, destroying the building, the radio inside and the
antenna. Replacement is expected to take some time.
The HF beacon was one of several operating on 20m, 17m, 15m, 12m and 10m and
was viewed as an important resource for testing HF propagation between North
America and Europe. The various beacons operate by transmitting once on each
of these bands every three minutes, around the clock.
No timetable was disclosed for the beacon's return to service.
This is Ralph Squillace KK6ITB.
(IARU, WIA)
**
IN GERMANY, AN EASIER WAY TO REPORT RFI
DON/ANCHOR: Amateurs in Germany now have a direct means of communication
with the federal regulator BNetZa (Pron: B-NETS-EH) when they want to report
electronic devices that have caused radio interference or are inaccurately
labeled as being safe. An online form allows a report to be made with
relevant details so that the agency can more easily take action and
determine if these devices are non-compliant, dangerous - or both. Customs
agents and postal authorities will also be notified of imported devices that
are found to be faulty so those items can be placed on the list of banned
products.
The form is designed to help expedite an official response, especially with
regard to interference - be it on the amateur radio frequencies or on mobile
phones or broadcast radio and TV. BNetZa (Pron: B-NETS-EH) has provided a
link to the form, which is in German. That link appears in the text version
of this week's Newsline script at arnewsline.org
[FOR PRINT ONLY:
verwaltung.bund.de/leistungsbeantragung/de/leistung/99118055261000/herausgeb
er/LeiKa-103356009/region/00 ]
(RADIO DARC)
**
INDIA CONTINUES WORK TOWARD CREWED SPACEFLIGHT
DON/ANCHOR: India's recent test flight of its spacecraft is providing vital
data to help the space agency prepare to put a crew on board within two
years. Jim Meachen ZL2BHF has the details.
JIM: Following the successful completion of a test flight in space, the
Indian Space Research Organisation has begun analysing data and imagery from
the spacecraft's crew escape system, with an eye toward having astronauts on
board space flights by 2025. That would make India the fourth country to put
humans in space.
The Gaganyaan project's test flight on October 21st was known as the Flight
Test Vehicle Abort Mission, designed to ensure that people in the capsule
could be assured of a safe return in the event of an emergency. The test
demonstrated that an on-board crew could be safely moved at least 1.2 miles,
or 2 km, away from the rocket in an emergency.
The Indian space organisation hopes to send a human-like robot into space
next year. To prepare for a flight with a live crew of three, the agency
meanwhile has been evaluating the fitness and health of a number of Indian
air force pilots who are likely candidates. India also hopes to establish an
orbiting space station in 2035.
The country last made news in space in August of this year by successfully
putting a lander near the south pole of the Moon.
This is Jim Meachen ZL2BHF.
(MINT, AMSAT NEWS SERVICE)
**
'ADVENT CALENDAR' EVENT ACTIVATES UK BUNKERS
DON/ANCHOR: With Christmas on the horizon, the UK Bunkers-on-the-Air awards
scheme has introduced a special set of awards in the format of an Advent
Calendar. Here is Ed Durrant DD5LP with more information:
ED: Bunker activators will be on the air from bunkers in the official ROC
reference list from December 1st through the 24th, and chasers can
symbolically "open" a new bunker door each day by working that station -
right up through Christmas.
The Bunkers on the Air Advent Calendar Award has two parts: one for hunters
or shortwave listeners and one for activators. The programme runs in
parallel with the Bunkers on the Air 2023 annual award meaning that those
taking part in both events must use two separate online trackers.
To keep the season bright and even a little amusing, the multi-tiered point
system for the Advent Calendar Award has such names as "Santa's Little
Helper" all the way to the top-scoring "Super Santa." Spotting, alerting and
all information about the scheme is available on the website at
bunkersontheair.org"
Bunkers on the Air is a rapidly growing amateur radio activity that centres
around Royal Observer Corps monitoring posts created during the Cold War
Era.
I am Ed Durrant DD5LP.
(BUNKERS ON THE AIR)
**
'ADVENT CALENDAR' EVENT ACTIVATES UK BUNKERS
DON/ANCHOR: If you're looking for an old-fashioned QSO, get your hands on an
old-fashioned radio and listen to this next report from Jack Parker W8ISH.
JACK: If you've built yourself a vintage-style transmitter - or are lucky
enough to have acquired one - you're just in time for the Bruce Kelley 1929
QSO Party this month. It's taking place on the 11th and 12th of November and
again on the 18th through the 20th. It bears the name of Bruce, W8ACY/W2ICE,
who was part of the group of amateur radio operators who founded the Antique
Wireless Association, in 1952. He became a Silent Key in 1997, six years
after the first QSO Party took place.
The association is sponsoring this year's event to celebrate the glory of
tubes and techniques that date back to 1929 or even earlier. The QSO Party
is open to anyone with an appropriate oldtime-style radio, whether they are
an association member or not. It is, however, a CW-only event and in
addition to hearing dits and dahs sent at a wide variety of speeds,
operators can expect to hear the buzzing, chirping and drifting associated
with the ham radio experience of a century or so ago.
So now that you've likely turned back your clocks, get ready to turn back
your calendar. Additional details - and a video about vintage transmitters -
can be seen at the website antiquewireless dot org (antiquewireless.org)
This is Jack Parker W8ISH.
(ANTIQUE WIRELESS ASSOCIATION, AMATEUR RADIO DAILY)
**
HAMS ENCOURAGED TO CONTACT DE-ORBITING DUTCH CUBESAT
DON/ANCHOR: An amateur radio CubeSat that was the pride of the students who
built it at the Delft University of Technology is about to de-orbit and its
team wants radio operators to get involved. Ed Durrant DD5LP has the
details.
ED: In 2008, the Delfi-C3 amateur radio satellite became the first Dutch
university satellite to go into space. Now its journey is nearing the end
and it is expected to de-orbit, with re-entry to take place sometime around
the 16th of November. The CubeSat team would like to present an award
certificate to the ham or shortwave listener who makes the last contact with
Delfi-C3 and provides its last telemetry frame. The telemetry downlink is on
145.867 MHz, 1200 baud AX.25 BPSK. Radio operators may use the RASCAL
software, the SATNOGS network or simply send decoded telemetry frames with
reception time and location. Those may be emailed to the email address in
the text version of this week's newscast at arnewsline.org.
This is Ed Durrant DD5LP.
[DO NOT READ: delfi@tudelft.nl ]
(AMSAT NEWS SERVICE)
**
UK FOUNDATION TO SUBSIDIZE ENTRY LEVEL LICENSE EXAMS
DON/ANCHOR: Some of the youngest candidates for amateur radio just got a
little boost from the Radio Communications Foundation, a small independent
charity that was established by the Radio Society of Great Britain. Jeremy
Boot G4NJH tells us how they're helping.
JEREMY: Prospective candidates for the Foundation licence who are fulltime
students and younger than 21 may be eligible for assistance from the Radio
Communications Foundation which is offering to subsidise a number of the
examinations. Foundation exams in the UK cost £32.50. According to the Radio
Society of Great Britain, some teachers last year identified this fee as an
obstacle for students. The foundation told the RSGB that to help those with
the greatest financial concerns, the first group of 15 exams will be funded
for qualifying applicants. Every three months thereafter, the foundation
will fund another group of 15 exams in much the same way. Any funds not used
will simply roll into the next quarter.
Meanwhile, applicants are encouraged to use the simple online form - and to
read other details about the subsidies at commsfoundation dot org - that's
"comms" with two "Ms" (commsfoundation.org) Applications require a statement
of support from a parent or guardian about the benefits the applicant would
receive as a result of the funding.
The foundation is hoping more amateurs will consider making gifts to the RCF
so the programme can increase the number of exams funded annually.
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 K7MMA
repeater in Spokane, Washington on Fridays at 5 p.m. local time.
**
STRAIGHT KEY CENTURY CLUB CONTEST
DON/ANCHOR: The Straight Key Century Club is holding a contest among its
members -- but for this competition, you don't need your key - just a sense
of style, as we hear from Randy Sly W4XJ.
RANDY: If you're a member of the Straight Key Century Club, there are a few
ways you can get ready for the SKCC Anniversary and Straight Key Month being
held in January 2024. You can, of course, practice and train at home to work
on your sending and your copying - and perhaps even plan on being one of the
operators for the K3Y event. If your talents extend to holding a pencil, a
pen or even a paintbrush, you might want to submit a design to be considered
for the official 2024 QSL card. The club is once again holding a contest to
select a design and SKCC members get the final say. They'll be voting on
their top picks in mid-December and will be able to view all the qualifying
submissions displayed on the SKCC website.
Although only the most popular design will end up on the QSL card, many of
the others will appear in the SKCC's print calendar.
The club is also inviting members to resubmit updated versions of designs
submitted earlier that weren't in the final pick.
There are certain design guidelines and specifications that need to be
followed, however. Please visit the SKCC website for detailed instructions
on how to display your design and incorporate the required text elements.
Designs are due no later than the 14th of December.
(SKCC)
**
RAGCHEWS ENCOURAGED DURING ESSEX CW'S ACTIVITY WEEK
DON/ANCHOR: What would you do if you had 7 days to set aside for nothing but
contacts in CW? Jeremy Boot G4NJH answers that question for us now.
JEREMY: The Essex CW Amateur Radio Club is encourging CW operators to take
up a special challenge: give yourself a week to contact as many other hams
as you possibly can. The objective isn't to score points but to make real
contacts - perhaps an extended exchange instead of a mere signal report --
or better still, a longer ragchew. Organisers are stressing that this is not
a contest. The activity is being held between the 13th and 19th of November
-- and is taking place, as always, in the spirit of friendship. The club is
extending a special welcome to QRS operators. If you hear the callsigns
GX1FCW and G8CW, make an extra effort to log a contact. Those are the club's
own callsigns. Like everyone else, those operators will be calling "CQ ECW."
A list of the bands being used, along with other details about this annual
event, can be found on the club website at essexcw dot uk (essexcw.uk) Be
sure to click on the tab that says "Activity Week."
This is Jeremy Boot G4NJH.
(ESSEX CW ARC, ICQ PODCAST)
**
WORLD OF DX
In the World of DX, listen for Vaclav, OK6RA, operating holiday style as
FG/OK6RA from Guadeloupe until the 27th of November. This is IOTA Number NA-
102. He will operate CW, SSB and FT8 on 40-10 metres and possibly 6m. His
main activity will be during the CQ WW DX CW Contest. QSL via his home call.
Listen for Kazu, M0CFW, who will use the callsign 3B9/M0CFW from Rodrigues
Island, IOTA Number AF-017, from the 19th of November to the 1st of
December. He will be using the callsign 3B9KW in the CQ WW DX CW Contest.
See QRZ.com for QSL details.
Ken, LA7GIA and Shani, HA5DDX are active as 7O8AD [Seven Oh Eight A D] and
7O8AE [Seven Oh Eight A E], respectively until the 16th of November from
Socotra Island, IOTA Number AF-028, in Yemen. Listen for them on 160 through
10m. Shani is operating SSB while Ken is concentrating on CW. There is a
possibility of SO2R Light FT8 using WSJT-X fox and hound or MHSV. See
QRZ.com for QSL details.
Shabu, M0KRI, will be on the air as 9L5M from Freetown, Sierra Leone
between the 24th of November and the 5th of December. Watch QRZ.com for
developing information about how to QSL.
(425DX BULLETIN)
**
KICKER: 'ALL THE LIGHT' THAT THEY COULD HEAR
DON/ANCHOR: We end this week's report with a special movie. No, we're not
actually going to show you the movie, of course - but we are going to tell
you why it might have plenty of appeal to those of us who understand the
power of radio. Neil Rapp WB9VPG has that story.
NEIL: If you watch for the credits at the end of each episode of one mini-
series now running on Netflix, you'll be able to quickly learn who wrote the
script, who directed the cast, who produced the drama and of course, who
played the roles on screen. Every name is featured prominently at the end of
each of the four installments of "All the Light We Cannot See." The film is
based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning World War II-era novel by Anthony Doerr.
What may not be apparent to most movie viewers is the fact that two of the
film's biggest stars are uncredited, unnamed and largely unacknowledged -
that is true at least outside the framework of this intense wartime
storyline. The anonymous players are the pair of shortwave radios that
ultimately unite the two major protagonists - a blind French girl and a
young German soldier. In Nazi-occupied France, the girl uses the forbidden
medium of radio to transmit coded messages to help the French Resistance and
the Allied Forces. The boy is an orphan and an electronics genius who is
conscripted reluctantly into the German military. Both had grown up in their
respective corners of Europe listening to the same shortwave radio program -
one hosted by a professor who spoke of science, truth, beauty and hope.
In this setting, as the girl transmits her messages from her ravaged French
city and the boy attempts to track her down amid the wreckage, the power of
those two radios cannot be defined by wattage alone. The radios define the
love both share for something intangible and precious they are both seeking.
Those same radios drive the drama to its inevitable conclusion, using the
light none of us can see: the electromagnetic spectrum itself.
This is Neil Rapp WB9VPG.
(ROGER EGAN, VA3EGY; NETFLIX)
**
DO YOU HAVE NEWS?
If you have a piece of Amateur Radio News that you think Newsline would be
interested in, send it on! We are not talking about advertising your club's
upcoming hamfest or field day participation, but something that is out of
the ordinary. If so, send us a brief overview via the contact page at
arnewsline.org. If it's newsworthy and we would like to cover it, we'll get
back to you for more details. Meanwhile, if you're feeling even a little bit
poetic, visit our website to learn more about the Amateur Radio Newsline
haiku challenge. Use the entry form on our website and please follow the
rules for writing your three-line haiku -- and be sure to check out our
previous winners!
NEWSCAST CLOSE: With thanks to Amateur Radio Daily; AMSAT News Service;
Antique Wireless Association; ARRL; Bunkers on the Air; CQ Magazine; David
Behar K7DB; Essex CW Amateur Radio Club; FCC; 425DXNews; the IARU; ICQ
Podcast; Netflix; QRZ.com; Radio D.A.R.C., Radio Society of Great Britain;
Roger Egan VA3EGY; shortwaveradio.de; Straight Key Century Club; Wireless
Institute of Australia; YouTube; 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 Don Wilbanks AE5DW
in Picayune, Mississippi saying 73. As always we thank you for listening.
Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) is Copyright 2023. All rights reserved.
73 de Bill, PY2BIL
PY2BIL@PY2BIL.SP.BRA.SOAM
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------+
BBS: PY2BIL - Timed 10-nov-2023 08:13 E. South America Standard Time
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