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Subj: Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2415 for Friday February 9th,
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Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2415 for Friday February 9th, 2024
Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2415 with a release date of Friday
February 9th, 2024 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.
The following is a QST. Another radio tower is dismantled and stolen. A
giant in DXing and contesting becomes a Silent Key -- and the music of
Valentine's Day, CW-style. All this and more as Amateur Radio Newsline
Report Number 2415 comes your way right now.
**
BILLBOARD CART
**
THIEVES DESTROY RADIO TOWER IN ALABAMA
JIM/ANCHOR: Our top story takes us to Alabama, where antenna and tower
thieves have struck again at yet another broadcast property. Kent Peterson
KCŘDGY has that story.
KENT: Only weeks after a radio station in Oklahoma suffered the destruction
of its tower and broadcast site by vandals in search of copper, an AM radio
station in Alabama discovered that its 200-foot tower had gone missing
overnight. General manager Brett Elmore of WJLX radio posted on various
social media platforms on Friday, February 2nd that a worker doing landscape
cleanup made the discovery that morning. He said the guy wires had been cut
and the tower was gone. The station's transmitter was also stolen from the
nearby building.
Unlike in the Oklahoma case, the targeted material was not copper but
stainless steel. Jasper, Alabama police were investigating. The AM station,
which is licensed to operate on 1240 kHz, has an FM translator that
broadcasts on 101.5 MHz from a different site.
This is Kent Peterson KCŘDGY.
(WVTM-TV, RADIO WORLD)
**
SILENT KEY: TOP DXER, CONTESTER SLAVKO CELARC, S57DX
JIM/ANCHOR: A top DXer and contester from Slovenia who was called a friend
by many, has become a Silent Key. Slavko, S57DX, was being remembered on
internet postings by friends everywhere and by those who logged contacts
with him over the years. On DXSummit, many of those hams were spotting his
callsign for the final time on 14 MHz, with the message "RIP." The first
such posting was made on the 4th of February, the day of his death, which
was announced in a QRZ.com forum post by his younger brother, Janez, S51DX.
It was only last July that Slavko celebrated 50 years as a radio amateur by
operating a month-long special event using the callsign S573DX. On the QRZ
page for that special event, he wrote that as a newly licensed 16-year-old
amateur in July of 1973 [quote] "my heartbeat was near 200 at the time of
first contact." [end quote] Despite his success in worldwide events, he also
had time for young radio operators. In 2022, youngsters attending YOTA camp
at Voice of America in West Chester, Ohio, were thrilled to log him as their
first DX contact.
He was a veteran of the Slovenian military where he was a specialist in
telecommunications. He was also a proud member of a ham radio family that
includes his wife, Pavla, S56DX, brother Janez, S51DX, and youngest brother,
Bojan, S53YT. Radio, he wrote on QRZ.com, was "love at first sight" and even
50 years later, the excitement never died.
(QRZ.COM)
**
A BOOST FOR DEVELOPING NATIONS' CUBESATS
JIM/ANCHOR: Qualifying CubeSats from developing nations will be able to get
a free ride into space soon under an agreement signed last month between the
United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs and Exolaunch GmbH
(Exolaunch). Jason Daniels VK2LAW has those details.
JASON: UN member countries involved in space exploration are gaining a boost
from a pact the UN's Office for Outer Space Affairs has signed with the
Berlin-based company known as Exolaunch. The agreement is part of the Access
to Space for All programme that opens the door to experience in space
exploration for countries that might not otherwise have such access. The
programme also presents opportunities for the next generation in developing
countries to put their STEM education to work with an eye toward pursuing a
space-related career.
This is Jason Daniels VK2LAW.
(UN OFFICE FOR OUTER SPACE, EXOLAUNCH)
**
FAREWELL TO CUBESAT AO-92
JIM/ANCHOR: Satellite enthusiasts said a final goodbye to the popular AMSAT
CubeSat known as AO-92, which re-entered the earth's atmosphere on the 3rd
of February after six years of service. Before its weakening batteries made
the satellite unreliable, its FM transponder was well-used and allowed many
hams to set distance records for contacts. The satellite's payloads also
included an L-band converter, an experimental camera, and a MEMS GYRO
experiment.
Meanwhile, despite the announcement that Sapienza Space Systems and Space
Surveillance Laboratory would decommission the ham digipeater on satellite
IO-117, known as GreenCube, the satellite remained in operation after the
5th of February. Petition drives and a letter from AMSAT's president Robert
Bankston, KE4AL, made last minute appeals to keep the satellite and its
well-used digipeater in action. As Newsline went to production, AMSAT's Paul
Stoetzer, N8HM, told Newsline that the amateur community was still awaiting
a response from the Italian Space Agency, which owns the satellite and is
leaving it in operation pending a decision.
(AMSAT, SAPIENZA SPACE SYSTEMS, SATNOG)
**
CHANGES TO UK LICENSES BEGIN THIS MONTH
JIM/ANCHOR: The earliest of the sweeping changes to UK ham licenses are to
begin this month. Jeremy Boot G4NJH tells us about some of them.
JEREMY: The first of the changes to be made to ham licenses in the UK are to
be implemented by the end of this month. Amateurs have already begun
receiving information from Ofcom newsletters or to read about the changes in
the latest issue of RadCom published by the Radio Society of Great Britain.
Some of these first changes include permission for Foundation licensees to
build their own equipment and to operate on the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. The
new rules also permit third-party operation under supervision. Regional
Secondary Locators are to become optional. Foundation and Full licensees in
England may optionally use "E" as an identifier. Changes to power levels
include the ability to transmit while airborne on primary ham bands but with
power limited to 500mW EIRP.
The main documents containing these and other changes to the licensing
framework can be found on the Ofcom website. Follow the link that is in this
week's text version of Newsline at arnewsline.org
Additional changes are expected to be phased in later this year.
[DO NOT READ: https://www.ofcom.org.uk/consultations-and-
statements/category-2/updating-amateur-radio-licensing-framework ]
This is Jeremy Boot G4NJH.
(OFCOM, RSGB'S RADCOM)
**
RIDING RADIO'S ROAD TO PLUTO'S DISCOVERY
JIM/ANCHOR: If you look at a map of the United States, you'd never guess for
one minute that the highway known as Route 66 - The Mother Road - doesn't
just travel between East and West but it actually leads to Pluto! Randy Sly
W4XJ explains.
RANDY: How did radio amateurs start the special event marking the discovery
of Pluto in 1930? By getting on Route 66! We’re talking about the annual
Pluto Anniversary Countdown, a 10-year-long activity, counting down to the
discovery's centennial year 2030. The event, however, has an interesting
beginning. Doug Tombaugh, N3PDT, nephew of Clyde Tombaugh, the astronomer
who made the discovery, told Newsline that it began when he contacted Bob
Wertz, NF7E, during the Route Sixty-six special event, which Bob helps
organize with the Northern Arizona Dx Association.
DOUG: “Bob was running the Route Sixty-Six Station out of Flagstaff. And I
called him and I got in. I said, that's great. And I said, by the way, my
last name's kind of famous in Flagstaff. And he asked who I was.
“We had a nice little chat about that and he contacted me via email later
just to say hi. Then just, we've kind of kept in contact. They said they
were going to have a countdown to the hundredth anniversary.
“Northern Arizona DX Association… Well, you know, they do events. So they
did this Pluto event up well and really, really a great bunch of guys and
gals and really nice to be associated with them and be included in this.
It's a lot of fun.ö
RANDY: This year, W7P at the Lowell Observatory and W7P/0, lead by Doug,
will be active for the fourth year of the countdown from February 11th
through the 19th. For more information, visit the Northern Arizona DX
Association Website at nadxa.com.
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
Cookeville Repeater Association's W4HPL repeater in Cookeville, Tennessee on
Tuesdays at 8:30 p.m. Central Time.
**
INT'L YL GROUP PLANS EVENT AT CZECH CONTEST STATION
JIM/ANCHOR: August may seem like a long way off but for one international
group of YLs, the days between the 4th and the 10th of that month can't come
soon enough. Sel Embee KB3TZD tells us why.
SEL: Imagine having access to a first-class contest station in Europe for a
whole week. In between getting on the air, imagine attending workshops on
how to solder more efficiently, how to set up a station for the digital
modes and how to build a 20-meter dipole that can be carried back to the
home QTH after the week is over. The OK5Z contest station in the Czech
Republic will be the centerpiece of a full week of YL radio adventures. The
hosts will also share their accounts of SOTA activations, DXpeditions to
Africa and various flora and fauna activations in the OKFF programme.
For information about hotel accommodations or activities during the week, or
to reserve a place, contact Eva HB9FPM/OK3QI at the email address shown in
the text version of this week's Newsline script at arnewsline.org
This is Sel Embee KB3TZD.
[EMAIL EVA at hb9fpm@uska.ch ]
(EVA, HB9FPM; RAISA, R1BIG)
**
NORTH BENGAL HAMS PROVIDE SUPPORT AT MAJOR FESTIVAL
JIM/ANCHOR: A radio command center staffed by hams played an important role
for the first time this year at a major festival in India. Jim Meachen
ZL2BHF tells us how they did it.
JIM: For the first time in its 18 years, a major festival in West Bengal,
India, known as the Dooars Utsav, invited amateur radio operators to provide
critical support.
The festival took place on the central parade grounds in Alipurduar in late
December, concluding at the end of January, drawing three quarters of a
million attendees. Anurag, VU3IYJ, told Newsline in an email that this was
the first time licensed hams were present to set up a command centre to
assist with the crowds. Priyam, VU3IYI, donated the VHF and HF base stations
for field support.
The North Bengal Amateur Radio Society, led by Swarup, VU3KOX, was assisted
by volunteers from the OSCAR India training programme, including Jeet,
VU2OIJ, and Niladri, VU3FOY. The hams also activated special event station
AT28BDU.
Anurag told Newsline that the hams were able to conduct some public
education as well on behalf of amateur radio, leading an awareness program
and having posters on display to explain the contributions that hams make to
the community.
This is Jim Meachen ZL2BHF.
(YOUTUBE, ANURAG VU3IYJ)
**
EXPLORING SILICON VALLEY'S AMATEUR ROOTS
JIM/ANCHOR:The innovative spirit of California's Silicon Valley has its
roots in the innovative spirit of amateur radio, according to one expert who
has spent his life in both worlds. On the 23rd of February, he will share
his observations in a presentation that anyone can attend - from anywhere.
Ralph Squillace KK6ITB tells us about him and his unique history lesson.
RALPH: California's Santa Clara Valley literally blooms with innovation. Its
technology-rich landscape is populated by Big Data, blockchain, mobile
communications, biotech, AI and other creations that were once only
blueprints and dreams. Add to that list - amateur radio - which Paul
Wesling, KM6LH, believes contributed heavily to the start of it all. He will
share a presentation on the valley's evolution into an innovation center
when she visits the California Historical Radio Society where he can be seen
and heard in person as well as via Zoom. Registration is required for both
means of attendance.
This has been a popular talk wherever it has been presented by Paul, who is
an engineer and lecturer. He traces the influence of ingenuity and
inventiveness during and after the Second World War from Palo Alto,
California into the Santa Clara Valley, starting with the names of now-
famous tinkerers throughout history: Lee de Forest, Bill Eital W6UF, David
Packard, 9DRV and Bill Hewlett. He takes the history lesson right up to
Apple computer's Steve Wozniak, WA6BND and Atari's Nolan Bushnell, W7DUK.
For registration details and additional information, see the historical
radio society's website by following the link in the text version of this
week's Newsline script at arnewsline.org
This is Ralph Squillace KK6ITB.
[DO NOT READ: https://californiahistoricalradio.com/event/origins-of-
silicon-valley-roots-in-ham-radio/ ]
(CALIFORNIA HISTORICAL RADIO SOCIETY, AMATEUR RADIO DAILY)
**
WORLD OF DX
In the World of DX, BJ, WA7WJR, will be on the air holiday style from
Vietnam as XV9WJR from the 12th to the 22nd of February. He will be
operating CW, SSB and digital modes on 20, 17, 15, 12 and 10 metres. QSL
direct to his home call.
Listen for Chuck, KG9N, operating as V26CV from Antigua, IOTA Number NA-
100, until the 20th of February. He is using mainly CW and SSB. See QRZ.com
for details.
Listen throughout February for the special callsign SC5ŘAG, marking the
Scandinavian CW Activity Group's 50th anniversary. All QSOs will be
confirmed automatically via the bureau and LoTW.
A monthlong celebration of World Radio Day (13 February) and the 100th
anniversary of the start of regular radio broadcasting in Spain, is
happening on the air with the special callsign AO100RADIO (AY OH ONE ZERO
ZERO R A D I O) until the 29th of February. See QRZ.com for details.
(425DX BULLETIN)
**
KICKER: AMATEUR RADIO PUT A SONG IN HIS HEART
JIM: We dedicate our final story to the holiday known as Valentine's Day -
an occasion for many in some countries to celebrate the people and even the
things of which they are fondest. For many of us, that includes ham radio
but - what else? Ah, that's a musical question and in this case Paul Braun
WD9GCO has the answer.
PAUL: You're about to hear a love story. It's about Junie, N1DUC, who loves
amateur radio. It's about Don Smith, a Mississippi song writer who loves
music. Last year when the two met at a local coffee shop where Don was
practicing some of his songs, Junie asked him if he could help create a song
for her YouTube channel. Don said yes -- and then asked: Is there a way to
send an affectionate message using Morse Code? Junie replied: Of course, you
send the number "88," dah-dah-dah-di-dit. That's all the rhythm and
inspiration that Don needed. With a little bit of research and a little bit
of songwriting, he was back a week or so later, serenading Junie while they
were seated outside the Bright-Eyed Brewing Coffee Shop. He also recorded
the moment on his own YouTube channel: "Love and Kisses" is a love song to a
form of communication that may not be quite as old as music itself, but just
as effective as sending the message.
So here's a message from Newsline to Don and Junie, with apologies to
William Shakespeare, who predates Samuel Morse by more than just a few
years: [quote] "if Morse Code be the food of love, play on." [endquote]
This is Paul Braun WD9GCO.
JIM: You can find links to Don's song in both a guitar and piano version in
the text version of this week's Newsline script at arnewsline.org
[DO NOT READ THESE LINKS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdu0dZZzqD0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzM7l4_BOms -piano ]
**
DO YOU HAIKU?
Don't be so busy chasing DX or activating those parks that you forget to
write a haiku about 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 -- we cannot accept any
entries that aren't written in traditional haiku form.
NEWSCAST CLOSE: Newsline would also like to take this moment to congratulate
our friends at the Ham Radio Workbench podcast on producing their 200th
episode.
With thanks to Amateur Radio Daily; Anurag, VU3IYJ; ARRL; California
Historical Radio Society; CQ Magazine; David Behar K7DB; Don Smith; DXWorld;
Eva, HB9FPM; Exolaunch; FCC; 425DXNews; Junie N1DUC; QRZ.com; Radio World;
RSGB's RadCom; Raisa, R1BIG; SATNOG; shortwaveradio.de; SOTA Reflector;
Sapienza Space Systems; UN Office for Outer Space; Wireless Institute of
Australia; Worldwide DX; 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 Jim Damron N8TMW in
Charleston West Virginia 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 09-fev-2024 08:08 E. South America Standard Time
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