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Subj: Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2364 for Friday February 17th,
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Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2364 for Friday February 17th, 2023
Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2364 with a release date of Friday
February 17th, 2023 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.
The following is a QST. Goodbye, Bouvet Island. A wake-up call for weather
preparedness in Texas -- and Brazil says goodbye to a noted DXer and
DXpeditioner. All this and more as Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2364
comes your way right now.
**
BILLBOARD CART
**
BREAKING NEWS: AMATEUR BALLOON'S FATE A MYSTERY
PAUL/ANCHOR: We begin this week with the latest chapter in the story of
mystery balloons being shot down over North America by US military planes.
The first and most famous, of course, was a suspected Chinese spy balloon.
The audio of the Air Force pilots' communications was recorded successfully
by an aviation enthusiast and radio buff during the downing of the balloon.
However, as Newsline went to production, questions were being raised about
the whereabouts of an amateur radio balloon with the callsign K9YO-15
launched last October by a group known as the Northern Illinois Bottlecap
Balloon Brigade. Unconfirmed reports say the 32-inch sphere carrying a 10-
gram payload may be the same one that was shot down over the Canadian Yukon.
Lightweight and relatively inexpensive to build, its payload, with a solar
panel package and a tracker in the middle, transmitted APRS telemetry on HF
at very low power.
Cary Willis, KD9ITO, a member of the group, said the balloon has been
declared missing in action and is considered lost.
According to a post on the website RTL-SDR.COM, a memo from the US Pentagon
said an object was shot down over Canada that appeared to be a "small
metallic balloon with a tethered payload." [endquote] The description
closely fits that of K9YO-15.
Cary told Newsline in an email: [quote] "I suppose anything is possible."
[endquote] He said FBI agents visited the balloon program's website and
spent time with members of the group on a conference call. Cary said:
[quote] "I shared that besides having fun, we're here to teach others how to
build and launch Pico Balloons legally, following the Code of Federal
Regulations relating to balloons." [endquote] He said he told others on the
balloon team that they should be proud of the project and what it has
accomplished.
He added [quote] "Personally, I believe that if we were shot down, what a
wonderful way to end our flight." [endquote]
(RTL-SDR.COM, CARY WILLIS, KD9ITO)
**
DXPEDITIONERS LEAVE BOUVET ISLAND
PAUL/ANCHOR: We move next to Bouvet Island where the 3YØJ)DXpedition is
history, as we hear from Graham Kemp VK4BB.
GRAHAM: Goodbye-Bouvet Island. Goodbye from the DXpedition team Three Why
Zero Jay, which departed on Tuesday, February 14th after striking down camp.
Goodbye too to the chasers who, whether they were disappointed or not, have
turned to other pursuits. As Newsline went to production, team leader Ken
LA7GIA announced that with all equipment and team members on board, the sail
would commence onwards to Cape Town, South Africa, where they expected to
arrive on or about the 23rd of February. There was a possibility of /MM
operation while enroute. Team members do not have access to the log, which
will be handled by QSL Manager MØOXO.
I'm Graham Kemp, VK4BB
(DX-WORLD.NET)
**
WAKE-UP CALL FOR WEATHER PREPAREDNESS
PAUL/ANCHOR: The tragic death of an older man in fast-moving flood waters
prompted emergency responders in Texas to review their weather spotting and
communications strategies. Randy Sly W4XJ explains what they did.
RANDY: In late January, Hunt and Rockwell counties in North Texas received a
“wake-up callö when an elderly man died after his SUV was swept away by
flood waters. In the wake of that deadly flooding, Bianca Garcia, from the
National Weather Service, held Skywarn training in the city of Greenville,
at the invitation of the Hunt County Office of Homeland Security/Emergency
Management and the Greenville Fire-Rescue Department. The seminar covered
the various threats posed by severe thunderstorms, severe weather safety and
storm reporting. Even with radar and satellite imaging, Garcia emphasized
the import role spotters play. She told the audience, “You guys are
presenting that special set of human eyes for us on the ground.ö
Many of the attendees were members of the Sabine Valley Amateur Radio
Association, which provides trained spotters to the National Weather Service
and emergency management agencies. Following the meeting, a three-night
course was also offered on how to become an amateur radio operator. The
wake-up call was heeded and those North Texas counties are now more storm
ready.
This is Randy Sly, W4XJ
**
HAMS ADD MOMENTUM TO PANCREATIC CANCER EVENT
PAUL/ANCHOR: A call has gone out for operators across the United States to
participate in a one-day special event, carrying a message of hope and
support on behalf of pancreatic cancer patients. Jim Damron N8TMW tells us
how to get involved.
JIM: When supporters in 30 US cities step off for a Walk-a-thon on Saturday,
April 29th to support the nonprofit Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, the
event will be gaining some added momentum: Just as the walkers take strides
on the ground, special event station N3P will be taking strides on the air.
Hams for PanCan, as the event is known, is an expansion of last year's first
effort with a dozen or so members of the Skyview Radio Society near
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, according to organizer Rich Ryba, WQ3Q. Rich hopes
that news about resources available to pancreatic cancer patients and their
families can go an even greater distance this year -- coast to coast. The
event has special significance for Rich. He lost his younger brother to the
disease and is a pancreatic cancer patient himself.
Speaking to Newsline on the phone, he said that the QSOs aren't typical
special-event exchanges: [quote] "People want to talk, want to share their
experiences with their family. We told our operators to sit and listen. It
doesn't matter how long the contact takes if it serves a purpose of
helping." [endquote]
Operators are needed in all 50 states. Rich can be contacted directly at his
email address r-y-b-a-r at nb dot net (rybar@nb.net).
The QRZ.com page for N3P has additional details for clubs or individual
operators who want to participate. QSL cards and certificates will be made
available for successful contacts.
This is Jim Damron N8TMW.
(RICH RYBA, WQ3Q)
**
SYDNEY HAM RADIO CLUB MARKS 100TH YEAR
PAUL/ANCHOR: There is cause for celebration in Sydney, Australia, where one
amateur radio club is marking a milestone. Here's Richard VK2SKY, a member
of that club, with his special report.
RICHARD: G'day Amateur Radio Newsline listeners, this is Richard VK2SKY, for
the Manly-Warringah Radio Society in Sydney, Australia. February 26 this
year is a big day for us.
That date marks 100 years since the first meeting of the Manly and District
Radio Club, in 1923. That club eventually became the Manly-Warringah Radio
Society.
To celebrate, we'll be activating the Special Event Station V I 100 MB, on
the day, and throughout 2023.
To find out more, check out Victor India One Hundred Mike Bravo on qrz.com,
and visit the Society's web site at mwrs.org.au, that's Mike Whiskey Romeo
Sierra dot org dot au.
Hope to catch you on the bands!
For Amateur Radio Newsline and the Manly-Warringah Radio Society in Sydney,
Australia, I'm Richard VK2SKY
**
SILENT KEY: DXER, DXPEDITIONER MAMIRO YOSHIZAWA PY2DM
PAUL/ANCHOR: A respected DXer and noted DXpeditioner from Brazil has become
a Silent Key, as we learn from Jeremy Boot G4NJH.
JEREMY: Mamiro Yoshizawa PY2DM was well-known among Brazilian amateurs as a
radio operator with an enthusiasm for DX and a special affinity for using
the 50 MHz band. He was a familiar presence in national and international
contests and had been a key operator during the T3ØPY and T3ØSIX DXpedition
to Western Kiribati in 2012. Mamiro became a Silent Key on the 5th of
February. According to a report that appears on QRZ.com, Mamiro's home QTH
in the Brazilian city of Mogi das Cruzes had one of the best-equipped
stations for DXing in the nation
Mamiro Yoshizawa was 83.
This is Jeremy Boot G4NJH.
(QRZ.COM)
**
OFCOM APPROVES SPECIAL CALLS FOR 2 MORE DX CONTESTS
PAUL/ANCHOR: In the UK, Ofcom has added two more DX contests to its list of
events qualifying for special call signs. Jeremy Boot G4NJH has that report.
JEREMY: Two UK and Ireland DX contests have been added to the list of events
that qualify for special contest callsigns from Ofcom. The callsigns are
administered by the Radio Society of Great Britain on behalf of the
regulator and hams are advised to visit the RSGB website if they wish to
apply. They are available to any holder of a UK Amateur Radio Full Licence
or Full Club Licence and the contests can last no longer than 48 hours. The
list of qualifying contests can be seen on the RSGB website. Calls will
begin with the letter "G" or "M" followed by a numeral and a one-letter
suffix. See the link in the text version of this week's Newsline script to
learn more and to see the contest list.
This is Jeremy Boot G4NJH.
[FOR PRINT ONLY: tinyurl.com/b6srkkhu ]
**
BREAK HERE: Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio
Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the AH6LE
repeater in Beavercreek and Wilsonville Oregon on Sundays at 6 p.m. local
time.
**
CW/AM EVENT CELEBRATES VINTAGE GEAR
PAUL/ANCHOR: If the evolution of radio gear interests you - and if you own
and operate some of the earliest rigs - you might want to plan for a big
operating event next month. Kevin Trotman N5PRE tells us what's involved.
KEVIN: Age matters. It's even worth points if you're a ham taking part in
the John Rollins Memorial CW/AM DX event in March. The event is organized by
the Antique Wireless Association and you don't have to be a member to
participate. If you are using a transmitter and receiver manufactured before
1970, you can score big points. Likewise, any homebrew gear using tubes
that were available before 1970 is also in the running.
The activity takes place on 80, 40 and 20 meters on Wednesday March 1st and
Thursday March 2nd, and again on Saturday March 4th and Sunday March 5th.
Power is limited to 100 watts for CW and 100 watts carrier level for AM.
For details on scoring, visit the association website at the link provided
in the text version of this week's newscast script at arnewsline.org
The event is named for association member John Rollins, W1FPZ, who was a
well-known home-brewer of radio equipment. John became a Silent Key in March
of 2008.
This is Kevin Trotman N5PRE.
[DO NOT READ: https://www.antiquewireless.org/homepage/event-details-for-
rollins-dx-event/ ]
**
FCC CREATES ROOM FOR 16 NEW FM RADIO STATIONS
PAUL/ANCHOR: The FCC has made room for 16 new broadcast stations on FM and
expects there will be competition for the spots on the spectrum. Here's that
report from Kent Peterson KCØDGY.
KENT: There could be a handful of new FM radio stations on the air in small
rural communities from Minnesota and Missouri to Texas and Vermont: the FCC
has opened up 16 FM allotments in areas eligible for a new service. The FM
table is updated by the FCC after its staff engineers determine that the
vacant allotments comply with the agency's minimum distance separation
requirements and city-grade coverage requirements.
The areas that are eligible for a new FM service include Grand Portage,
Minnesota; Bunker, Missouri; Junction and Sonora in Texas; and Barton,
Vermont.
The FCC says all new FM commercial allotments are subject to an auction
process, and competing applications may be filed once the commission decides
it is ready to accept applications.
When competing applications are filed, an auction may need to occur before
the allotments are decided.
This is Kent Peterson KCØDGY.
(FCC, RADIOWORLD)
**
HOTEL BOOKINGS BEGIN FOR WRTC IN BOLOGNA
PAUL/ANCHOR: A major world radio event, postponed from last year, suddenly
got more real with the start of hotel bookings. John Williams VK4JJW tells
us about it.
JOHN: Competitors and referees received the earliest access to hotel
bookings for the World Radiosport Team Championship which is to be held this
July in Bologna, Italy. The online booking system opened on February 1st.
The next round of reservations began on February 7th for visitors and
others. According to details on the WRTC Reflector message list hotels
throughout the surrounding area will be providing support for competitors,
referees, judges, sponsors and the contest committee.
To see details about the WRTC and who its competitors are, visit wrtc2022
dot it (wrtc2022.it)
The World Radiosport Team Championship is held every four years in a
different host country. This year's event is a postponement from last year
when health concerns during the pandemic caused it to be called off. Two-
member teams whose members have qualified for the event will arrive from
every continent to compete in this 24-hour nonstop competition, which is
often referred to as the Olympics of amateur radio.
This is John Williams VK4JJW.
(WRTC REFLECTOR)
**
WORLD OF DX
In the World of DX, listen for Antonio, CT1FFU, operating holiday style as
D4T from Ilha do
Sal, IOTA number AF-086, Cape Verde, until the 22nd of February. He is
using SSB, CW
and digital modes on the HF bands and 6 metres. He will also make contacts
via QO-100. QSL via
his home call direct or by the bureau. He will upload his log to Club Log.
Philippe, F1DUZ is using the callsign FG4KH from Guadeloupe, IOTA number NA-
102, from February 15th through to March 8th. He will also participate in
the SSB portion of the "Coupe du REF" contest on the 25th and 26th of
February as well as the ARRL DX SSB contest on the 4th and 5th of March. QSL
via LoTW, eQSL, or direct to F1DUZ.
Saudi Arabia's Founding Day are being commemorated by special event stations
7Z3FD, 8Z3FD and HZ3FD until the 22nd of February, which is the actual date
of the celebration. QSL via HZ1SAR; the logs will be uploaded to Club Log.
Eric, F5LCX, is on the air holiday style from Togo as 5V23LE until the 25th
of February. QSL via LoTW.
Listen for Dom, VK2HJ, using the call sign VK2HJ/VK9 from Norfolk Island,
IOTA number OC-005, from the 17th through to the 20th of February. He is
using SSB on 40 through 10 metres. QSL via eQSL.
(425 DX BULLETIN)
**
KICKER: WEARABLE FABRIC HELPS 'SING THE BODY ELECTRIC'
PAUL/ANCHOR: Our final story comes from Ralph Squillace KK6ITB. Prepare to
get a real charge out of it. A real charge.
RALPH: OK, so here's a real yarn for you. Yes - a real yarn, the kind of
which sweaters are made. These are high-tech fibers known as twistrons,
which scientists developed about five years ago. Unlike conventional
knitting yarns, twistrons are spun from carbon nanotubes, resulting in
lightweight material that increases in density whenever it is twisted or
stretched. The result from all that stretching isn't necessarily a better-
fitting sweater, however -- it's voltage that can drive an electric current.
To researchers like Ray Baughman at the University of Texas at Dallas,
twistrons present a promising way to make use of the motion of the body to
power an electronic device because it taps into the wearer's mechanical
energy. Scientists say the energy conversion efficiency of twistrons has
improved over the years, up from 17.4 percent from twisting to an impressive
22.4 percent.
Researchers recently used an array of twistrons weighing 3.2 milligrams to
charge a supercapacitor capable of powering a small device such as an
electronic watch or five small LEDs.
While the researchers aren't quite at the point of releasing their own
clothing line, they do have their eye on harnessing the motion of ocean
waves using twistrons to create electric power. We hams can only imagine
dressing for success like this, going out for a summit activation or for
Field Day. The possibility is electrifying.
This is Ralph Squillace KK6ITB.
(IEEE SPECTRUM)
**
NEWSCAST CLOSE - DO YOU HAVE NEWS?
PAUL/ANCHOR: Do you have a piece of Amateur Radio News that you think
Newsline would be interested in? 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.
NEWSCAST CLOSE: With thanks to Amateur Radio Weekly; AMSAT News Service;
Baynet.com; CQ magazine; David Behar K7DB; DX-World.net; FCC; 425 DX News;
IEEE Spectrum; QRZ.com; Radio World; Radio Society of Great Britain; Rich
Ryba, WQ3Q, shortwaveradio.de; Wireless Institute of Australia; WRTC
Reflector; 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 2023. All rights reserved.
73 de Bill, PY2BIL
PY2BIL@PY2BIL.SP.BRA.SOAM
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------+
BBS: PY2BIL - Timed 17-fev-2023 08:03 E. South America Standard Time
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