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Subj: Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2407 for Friday December 15th
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Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2407 for Friday December 15th, 2023
Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2407 with a release date of Friday
December 15th, 2023 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.
The following is a QST. Hams in the UK and Australia face big changes. A
holiday wishlist from a growing digital library of communication - put those
postage stamps from your holiday and QSL cards to work! All this and more
as Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2407 comes your way right now.
**
OFCOM MAKING CHANGES FOR UK HAMS IN 2024
STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Our top story this week is the action by Ofcom in the UK,
where sweeping changes are proposed for everything related to amateur radio
-- from call signs and power levels to the terms under which a Notice of
Variation is needed. Jeremy Boot G4NJH gives us an overview.
JEREMY: A general notice from Ofcom has alerted radio amateurs in the UK to
various licence changes the regulator is proposing. Licence variations are
being proposed starting in February, affecting the use of Regional Secondary
Locators, suffixes and unlicensed individuals' use of an amateur radio.
Power limits would also be raised under certain conditions for Foundation,
Intermediate and Full licensees.
Additional changes proposed for later in the year include more flexible
approvals for special event stations and replacement of the issuance of the
Intermediate licence series "2" callsign with "M8" and "M9" instead. Changes
to occur in late 2024, or early 2025, include the ability to change one's
callsign periodically but no more than once every five years.
A full list of the vast array of changes - introduced in June of this year-
is available on the regulator's website. Ofcom is encouraging
representations to be submitted on these proposals no later than 5 p.m.
local time on the 22nd of January.
This is Jeremy Boot G4NJH.
(OFCOM)
**
NEW YEAR BRINGS CLASS-LICENSE FORMAT TO AUSTRALIA
STEPHEN/ANCHOR: The new year is bringing a major change as well for amateurs
in Australia. John Williams VK4JJW tells us about it.
JOHN: The Australian Communications and Media Authority will be moving to a
class-licence format, as previously announced, starting on the 19th of
February. This removes the annual renewal fee and gives the regulator
responsibility for examinations and licence issuance. Those tasks were
previously assigned to the Australian Maritime College in Tasmania. Hams
with non-assigned amateur apparatus licences can expect to hear from the
ACMA in January when they will be provided with guidelines for the
transition arrangements and learn their highest qualification level and call
sign.
This is John Williams VK4JJW.
(ACMA)
**
IARU MEMBERS ACT TO ELIMINATE NAVIGATION SERVICE INTERFERENCE
STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Navigation services who are the primary users of one of the
amateur bands just got some added protection against interference, as we
hear from Jason Daniels VK2LAW.
JASON: Following four years of discussions and negotiations, IARU members
attending the World Radiocommunications Conference in Dubai have added a
footnote to the use of the 23cm amateur band between 1240MHz and 1300MHz
that is designed to eliminate the possibility of interference to Galileo and
other radio navigation satellite services. The footnote was adopted on
December 8th and is designed to protect the navigation services, who are the
primary users. IARU President Tim Ellam, VE6SH, said the decision does not
affect the table of allocations and is, in his words, [quote] "a very good
result for the amateur services." [endquote]
This is Jason Daniels VK2LAW.
(IARU)
**
HAMVENTION THEME CHOSEN AS 'EXPANDING OUR COMMUNITY"
STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Are you looking ahead to May of 2024? Organizers of the 2024
Hamvention and and ARRL National Convention have announced the theme for the
event next May. It will be "Expanding our Community." The announcement was
made by general chairman Jim Storms AB8YK, who said the theme supports the
growth of ham radio worldwide. Hamvention will take place May 17th, 18th and
19th in Xenia, Ohio.
(HAMVENTION)
**
INVITE WRTC ORGANIZERS TO YOUR NEXT MEETING
STEPHEN/ANCHOR: What exactly is the World Radiosport Team Championship? If
your club or other group wants to hear about it directly from the amateurs
who are preparing to host it in the UK in 2026, you now have that option, as
Jeremy Boot G4NJH tells us.
JEREMY: You may not be able to get to England in 2026 for the World
Radiosport Team Championship but its story can come to you and your club or
other organisation. The event's committee is making speakers available in
person or via Zoom for club meetings to promote the event and answer
questions about it. The 10th international radio contest event will be held
in July 2026 in East Anglia with the counties of Suffolk, Norfolk and
Cambridgeshire hosting 50 operating sites for qualifying teams. It is often
referred to as an Olympic-style event for amateur radio, occurring as it
does every four years.
If your club would like to know more, contact chairman Mark Haynes MØDXR at
mØdxr1@gmail.com.
This is Jeremy Boot G4NJH.
(WRTC 2026)
**
DIGITAL LIBRARY RELEASES ITS WISHLIST FOR HOLIDAY AND BEYOND
STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Everyone has a holiday wishlist and the Digital Library of
Amateur Radio & Communications is no different - except it's more of a WANT-
list, as we hear from Andy Morrison K9AWM.
ANDY: The Digital Library of Amateur Radio & Communications has passed the
milestone mark of 100,000 radio-related items ranging from podcast episodes,
manuals, catalogues, newsletters and books. Like the universe itself,
though, the need goes on endlessly and the Internet Archive's program
manager for special collections. Kay Savetz, K6KJN, has created a DLARC
Wantlist that identifies gaps in the collection that need filling. Kay says
on the library website that he will update the list as those needs change.
For now, however, the wishlist includes issues of Hambrew Quarterly,
published by George De Grazio, WFØK, who is now a Silent Key; the original
Wirebook and Wirebook II; and RAIN Reports in any audio format from 1992,
1998, 2000, and 2003.
The library was created in 2022 with the help of funding from Amateur Radio
Digital Communications and is a project of the Internet Archive. It also
contains material about pirate radio, amateur TV, low-power FM and shortwave
listening.
The library of course also has a wishlist for donations and those will be
matched on a 1-to-1 basis.
See the link in the text version of this week's newscast to see what else
the library can use.
I'm Andy Morrison K9AWM.
[DO NOT READ: https://archive.org/details/dlarc-wantlist]
(DLARC, ZERO RETRIES NEWSLETTER)
**
AN ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION VIA SSTV
STEPHEN/ANCHOR: If you'd like to help the ISS celebrate the 40-year
anniversary of amateur radio in space, tune to 145.800 MHz to receive SSTV
transmissions in the PD120 format. Images will be sent starting on the 16th
of December and continue through to the 19th. Happy anniversary!
**
"FLYING HAMS" ARE ON THE AIR
STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Those of us who know that there's another way to get on the
air now have a place of their own: a spot for radio amateurs who are also
aviation enthusiasts. Dave Parks WB8ODF directs us to their hangar.
DAVE: It's called the Flying Hams Network. Its founder, Daniel Hileman,
WX5WX, has discovered that it combines his love of radio and aviation very
nicely and connects him with kindred spirits on the air. He created it as a
digital watering hole, allowing people to chat on the TGIF DMR Network Talk
Group, Flying Hams 312Ø664. He has also created links for other modes. The
Flying Hams can be found on YSF 2Ø664 US_Flying Hams, on Allstar 515422, and
Echolink AE5ME-R.
The social media channel for this group is on Facebook as "Flying Hams."
Dan stresses that all you need is an interest in machines that fly or, as he
says, things that "float in the sky." Pilots and nonpilots alike are welcome
to engage in the nightly ragchews with the hopes of forming a net.
In the meantime, just get on the air and....wing it.
This is Dave Parks WB8ODF.
(QRZ.COM, FACEBOOK, DANIEL HILEMAN, WX5WX)
**
BREAK HERE: Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio
Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world including the WA6TTL
repeater in Simi Valley, California, on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. local time.
**
ESA EXPLORES POSSIBLE MICROWAVE AMATEUR PAYLOAD ON SATELLITE
STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Is there room aboard a satellite for a geostationary
microwave amateur payload to cover part of North America? Jeremy Boot G4NJH
looks at that question.
JEREMY: The European Space Agency has an approved proposal to investigate
sharing a commercial geostationary satellite contract to piggy-back a
microwave amateur payload on it to cover Europe and part of North America.
The investigatory project was presented by ESA's Frank Zeppenfeldt, PDØAP,
to the AMSAT-UK Colloquium in Milton Keynes on the 14th of October. Frank
described a payload that would have both an amateur radio and educational
role, with two uplink transponders on 5.6 GHz and two downlink transponders
on 10 GHz. The payload would be capable of handling narrowband modes such as
CW and SSB and narrowband digital modes but would also have the capacity for
wideband modes such as amateur TV. To see Frank's presentation, follow the
link to a YouTube video that appears in the text version of this week's
newscast at arnewsline.org
The proposal from AMSAT-UK and the British Amateur Television Club has input
and support from the newly incorporated AMSAT-CA's Technical Working Group
as well as from AMSAT-USA. According to a November 30th position paper from
AMSAT-CA's president Stefan Wagener, VE4SW, and technical director Levente
Buzas, VA7QF, a number of amateur radio satellite associations are helping
Frank promote the project to commercial satellite operators in 2024 during
the World Satellite Business Week.
Stefan told Newsline that Frank hopes to use the QO-100 geostationary
amateur payload on Qatar's Es’hail 2 satellite as an example so another
commercial partners can be identified to carry a similar payload in a
position over the Atlantic to cover Europe and Canada.
[DO NOT READ: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FTvlEyDa1Y ]
The study is being undertaken with the help of €250,000 in ESA funds.
This is Jeremy Boot G4NJH.
(AMSAT-CA, AMSAT NEWS)
**
AMATEUR IN AUSTRALIA MAKES ONLINE STUDY GUIDE AVAILABLE
STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Hams in Australia are discovering that preparing for their
Foundation or Advanced Class license may be as easy as clicking their mouse.
We hear more from Graham Kemp VK4BB.
GRAHAM: Jules Perrin VK3JFP likes to keep things simple. His website,
julesworkshop.net, features simple explanations of such common amateur radio
basics as multi-meters, electrical sensors and diodes. Using simple terms he
also explains valves, decibels and resonant circuits. Now the Melbourne
amateur has gone a few steps beyond into the realm of licence preparation. A
part of his website is devoted to free instruction available to candidates
who are preparing for their Foundation or Advanced class licence. He wants
to keep that kind of study simple too.
In helping people prepare for their exams, he provides material for the
Foundation licence based on the manual and Advanced level material based on
the Advanced syllabus. He hopes at some point to be able to add audio and
video sessions.
It's a work in progress but just the same, he's hoping it will already have
an impact for hams hoping to upgrade - or those hoping to become amateurs in
the first place. As he writes in a letter to members of the Central Coast
Amateur Radio Club, "education is a very important part of our hobby."
Follow the link in the text version of this week's newscast for more details
- or to begin your own course of study.
This is Graham Kemp VK4BB.
[DO NOT READ: https://www.julesworkshop.net/Amateur%20Radio.html ]
(CENTRAL COAST ARC)
**
US ISLANDS PROGRAM LAUNCHES YEAR-LONG AWARD
STEPHEN/ANCHOR: The US Islands Awards program will be marking the 30th year
since its creation by operating a year-long anniversary award throughout
2024. Jack Parker W8ISH tells us how hams are being invited to join the
party.
JACK: Think of it as island-hopping with your radio. Whether you are chasing
contacts with hams on islands in the US Islands Award program, or activating
or qualifying an island, you will need to confirm a minimum of 30 QSOs.
These are the rules for the anniversary party for an awards program that
celebrates the islands of the 50 US states as well as those in US
protectorates and territories. They can be islands situated along a coastal
shoreline or those in rivers, lakes and other bodies of water - both fresh
water and salt water.
Starting January 1st - which is coming up fast - you have a whole year to
work your way to a certificate. The anniversary program ends on the 31st of
December 2024.
The full set of rules can be found on the website for the US Islands Awards
program, which is in the text version of this week's newscast at
arnewsline.org
This awards program is not affiliated with Islands on the Air.
I'm Jack Parker W8ISH.
[DO NOT READ: https://usislands.org/30th-award/ ]
(QRZ FORUM)
**
WORLD OF DX
In the World of DX, radio operators in Northern Finland are happy to report
that Santa Radio OF9X - took to the air on the 11th of December and will
continue the journey until 2159 UTC on the 31st of December. Be listening
for the radio elves as they guide their sleighs on all bands, using CW, SSB
and FT8. This annual event has the support of Radio Arcala, not far from the
Arctic Circle. See QRZ.com for details.
In India, a group of YLs will be on the air from two ocean beaches on the
16th and 17th of December as AT2BOTA. They are all former shortwave
listeners celebrating their new amateur radio licenses. Be listening on 40,
20, 15 and 10 metres where they will operate on SSB and FT8.
They will activate Junpat Sea Beach, number 62417, on the 16th and Haripur
Sea Beach, number 62418, on the 17th. See QRZ.com for QSL details.
(425 DX BULLETIN)
**
KICKER: HAMS' POSTAGE STAMPS ARE HOLIDAY GIFTS THAT DELIVER
STEPHEN/ANCHOR: For our final item this week, here’s a way for you to spread
comfort and joy to those in need this holiday season. It’s simple! Save your
used stamps from your greeting cards and QSL card envelopes. Amateur Radio
Newsline’s Mark Abram-o-vich, NT3V, has the story from Philadelphia.
MARK: While the colorful postage stamps gracing the corners of the envelopes
from our holiday cards and those QSL cards we receive generally end up in
the trash, a ham club based in the City of Brotherly Love is committed to
rescuing them: They're encouraging you to join them in a project aimed at
getting them into the hands of US military veterans through the Stamps for
the Wounded program.
Bob Josuweit, WA3PZO, is with the Holmesburg Amateur Radio Club. He is
trustee of WM3PEN – the flagship call sign for historic Philadelphia.
JOSUWEIT: With the Holmesburg club handling over 1,000 QSL cards every year
just for the 13 Colonies event over the summer, we were looking for
something to do with those stamps -- and when we heard about the program we
thought, gee, it would be a great idea to rip the stamps off the envelopes
and forward them on to the program. And it has turned into a major success
over the past number of years.
MARK: Josuweit says Stamps for the Wounded uses the contributions to provide
comfort and support stamp-collecting activities for veterans. He says
they’re especially helping to engage disabled vets in creatively decorating
objects.
Josuweit says the Philadelphia hams have expanded their campaign to a host
of civic groups and organizations and are promoting ham radio’s involvement
in the campaign.
JOSUWEIT: We’re in regular contact with a couple of hunting and fishing
clubs that have large memberships and their treasurers happen to be hams and
they’re sending a large envelope of stamps to us to forward to the program.
MARK: He’s encouraging hams from small radio clubs to DX groups to collect
and save the used stamps and mail them to the group.
JOSUWEIT: You can either check out the WM3PEN page on QRZ.com or directly to
the program which is stampsforthewounded.org.
MARK: Eye-catching foreign stamps from your direct DX QSLs are especially
welcome.
I’m Mark Abramowicz, NT3V.
**
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. We will announce this year's most popular haiku and give
the winner the opportunity to read it during the final newscast of the year.
NEWSCAST CLOSE: With thanks to the ACMA; Amateur Radio Daily; AMSAT Canada;
AMSAT News; ARRL; Central Coast ARC; CQ Magazine; David Behar K7DB; Digital
Library of Amateur Radio & Communications; 425DXNews; IARU: Ofcom; QRZ.com
Forumsshortwaveradio.de; Wireless Institute of Australia; YouTube; World
Radiosport Team Championship; Youth on the Air; Zero Retries Newsletter; 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
2023. All rights reserved.
73 de Bill, PY2BIL
PY2BIL@PY2BIL.SP.BRA.SOAM
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------+
BBS: PY2BIL - Timed 15-dez-2023 08:08 E. South America Standard Time
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