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PY2BIL > ARNR 29.09.23 20:41l 387 Lines 18589 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
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Subj: Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2396 for Friday September 29th
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Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2396 for Friday September 29th, 2023
Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2396 with a release date of Friday
September 29th, 2023 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.
The following is a QST. A special event station focuses on a rare medical
concern. In Tennessee, amateur radio training gives new skills to the
Medical Reserve Corps -- and hams in North Carolina celebrate a beloved
ham's 106th birthday. All this and more as Amateur Radio Newsline Report
Number 2396 comes your way right now.
**
BILLBOARD CART
**
SPECIAL EVENT HIGHLIGHTS RARE MEDICAL CONDITION
STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Our top story this week highlights a very public special
event inspired by a ham's very personal story. A special-event callsign is
often used to celebrate or honor a person or a cause - but this callsign is
going on the air very soon in Australia to educate. The subject is a rare
and troublesome medical condition. We hear more from John Williams VK4JJW.
JOHN: In 1989, Bernie Terry, VK4KX, was diagnosed with acromegaly, a rare
condition resulting from an overproduction of growth hormones in the
pituitary gland.Other health problems, such as diabetes and cardiomyopathy,
can accompany it. Bernie writes on his QRZ.com page that although surgery
can help some patients, it did not resolve things for him. He decided that,
even as he attempts to manage the condition and its various related issues,
he will be on the air as VI4ACRO throughout the month of November. His goal
is to raise awareness about this condition and to encourage people to learn
more about it.
Bernie said he will have the assistance of at least one other operator with
the condition, Eric, VK4XR, and he is hoping to find other hams willing to
take time to get on the air. The callsign will be active only during the
month of November, kicking off on the first of the month, which is
International Acromegaly Awareness Day.
See the QRZ.com page for VI4ACRO for additional QSO details - or to contact
Bernie if you can operate during the month.
This is John Williams VK4JJW.
(WIA, QRZ.COM)
**
CROATIA READY TO HOST INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
STEPHEN/ANCHOR: It took a few years of planning - and then a three-year
interruption during the COVID-19 pandemic - but now an international
conference of amateurs is preparing to gather again in Croatia, as we hear
from Jeremy Boot G4NJH.
JEREMY: Inspired by the Radio Club Porec 9A1P - which takes its name from
the Croatian town on the coast of the Adriatic Sea, - the second Istria
Contest Conference is scheduled for October 6th, 7th and 8th and has been
attracting a lot of attention. The pandemic called everything to a halt and
organisers waited years for last year's inaugural gathering to happen.
Already next month's second such event is drawing international attendance
to the Croatian region known as Istria. One of the organisers, Mirko 9A6KX,
told Newsline that hams have already reserved spots from New Zealand, Saudi
Arabia, Germany, Austria, Italy, Hungary and much of the rest of Europe.
Not surprisingly, the programme material is not limited to contesting.
Presenters include the popular YouTube channel producer and blogger Raisa
R1BIG/OH7BG, who will speak on YLs' prominent roles in amateur radio; and a
number of youth-related forums. There will also be live video calls with two
DXpeditions, the 5WØLM operation on Samoa, and W8S on Swains Island.
For details, visit the link that appears in the text version of this week's
newscast at ARNewsline.org
This is Jeremy Boot G4NJH.
https://icc2023.9a1p.com/index.html
(MIRKO, 9A6KX)
**
HAMS ENJOY A "SOTA ECLIPSE"
STEPHEN/ANCHOR: With the hope for clear skies on Saturday, October 14th, a
small group of SOTA enthusiasts in Oregon will be climbing the peaks - not
just for a chance at Summit-to-Summit contacts but to stop long enough to
experience a total eclipse of the sun from an elevation. Andy Morrison K9AWM
has that story for us.
ANDY: Hams who are also fans of SOTA activations and camping out don't
really need an excuse like an eclipse to make a big weekend event happen but
Tim N7KOM and his friends are seizing the moment anyway in Oregon The
state's southeastern region is in the path of totality for the annular (an-
yuh-lerr) eclipse and that is as good an occasion as any for a hike up to
Drake Peak, SOTA designation W7O/CE-002 (W Seven OH stroke CE Zero Zero
Two), and Light Peak, W7O/CE-004 (W Seven Oh stroke Zero Zero Four). Writing
on the SOTA Reflector, Tim announced his own plans to camp at Mud Creek
Campground and arrive on one of the summits by 9:20 local time. His rig and
of course his camera will be ready. Any operators wanting to contact him in
advance should email him at timn7kom@gmail.com. He is willing to bulk-order
viewing glasses to wear so everyone can safely view the event.
The weekend doesn't end when the eclipse is gone, however: Tim expects to
keep getting more summits right up through Sunday afternoon.
This is Andy Morrison K9AWM.
(SOTA REFLECTOR)
**
AMSAT ANNOUNCES KEYNOTERS AT SPACE SYMPOSIUM
STEPHEN/ANCHOR: AMSAT has announced two keynote speakers for the 41st annual
Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting, as we hear from Kevin Trotman
N5PRE.
KEVIN: Two notable radio amateurs will be presenting at the banquet being
held at the AMSAT Space Symposium in Texas on October 20th and 21st. AMSAT
has announced that the keynote speaker will be Bob Twiggs, KE6QMD, who was a
co-inventor of the form factor for the popular miniature satellites known as
CubeSats. He will be joined by Nick Pugh, K5QXJ. A telecommunications
technology specialist, Nick's notable efforts have included the help he has
given the college team at the University of Louisiana Lafayette to be the
first campus team of its kind to build and launch satellites.
Meanwhile, if you want to be a presenter at the symposium, AMSAT is still
accepting papers on topics that are related to amateur satellites. Final
copies of symposium papers are due by the 12th of October but in the
meantime, AMSAT would like to receive a tentative title for the talk. Send
abstracts and papers to Dan Schultz, N8FGV, at n8fgv at amsat.org
(n8fgv@amsat.org)
October promises to be a busy time for satellite enthusiasts everywhere.
Just a week before the symposium in Texas, AMSAT-UK will be holding its 2023
Colloquium on the 14th and 15th of October in Milton Keynes, alongside the
Radio Society of Great Britain's convention. The weekend will include the
annual general meeting of AMSAT-UK and, of course, the gala dinner. For
details visit the website that appears in the text version of this week's
newscast at arnewsline.org.
This is Kevin Trotman N5PRE.
[DO NOT READ: https://amsat-uk.org ]
**
NEW HAMS ADD SKILLS TO TENNESSEE MEDICAL RESERVE CORPS
STEPHEN/ANCHOR: In Tennessee, some newly licensed hams are adding vital
skills to the state's Medical Reserve Corps. Skeeter Nash N5ASH has those
details.
SKEETER: Andrew Albertson KN4CTG has a little extra pride in his voice when
he talks about the latest group of Technician class amateurs who passed
their license exam in Tennessee. That's because they are graduates of a
class he taught. So they're not just new hams but volunteers with the
Tennessee Medical Reserve Corps, which began offering the classes last year.
The MRC is giving a new priority to encouraging members to get their amateur
radio licenses. The Tennessee MRC, which is overseen by the Tennessee State
Department of Health, is part of a national network of more than 200,000
volunteers. Andrew told Newsline that he began teaching the classes last
year after Melanie Grant, KQARE, coordinator for the MRC's South Tennessee
area, asked if he would be willing to help expand the volunteers' skill set
in that region to include communications.
Since then he has also taught classes in Tennessee's MRC in the nearby Upper
Cumberland Region. The goal, he said, is to have a total of 50 to 60
volunteers licensed between the two regions to provide what he called an
"organic capability" in communication within the ranks of the volunteers.
The MRC does not replicate the work of ARES or RACES. Its mission is to be
part of a larger public health response in the event of a crisis.
Andrew told Newsline in a phone interview [quote]: "By offering this we can
have a more capable MRC without having to rely on other groups." [endquote]
He said he will be gearing up shortly for the next classes, which are free
and use a modified curriculum based on ARRL materials. The 16-hour course is
offered over a three-day span. The Technician license test is given at the
conclusion. Andrew said that anyone interested in joining the Tennessee
Medical Reserve Corps should visit the website. You can find a link in the
text version of this week's newscast at arnewsline.org.
This is Skeeter Nash N5ASH.
[FOR PRINT ONLY: https://www.tn.gov/health/cedep/cedep-emergency-
preparedness/information-management/volunteer-mobilizer/medical-reserve-
corps.html ]
**
BREAK HERE: Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio
Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including WA5AIR, the
Texas Link System which carries Newsline on seven repeaters on Wednesdays
and Saturdays at 7 p.m. local time.
**
WORKSHOPS UNITE HAMS AT INDIAN EPICENTER OF EDUCATION
STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Hams of all ages spent two days at a beautiful World
Heritage Site in India where they devoted their efforts to the advancement
of science and the art of radio. We have those details from Graham Kemp
VK4BB.
GRAHAM: More than 200 radio amateurs came to West Bengal, India from around
the world for two days of sessions and workshops designed to expand skills
and knowledge in the ever-evolving science of ham radio. The OSCAR Amateur
Radio Convention was held on September 23rd and 24th, at the UNESCO World
Heritage Site known as Santiniketan [pronounced SHON-TEE NUH KAY-TIN],
considered an epicenter of education and literature. Special sessions were
devoted in particular to engaging more YLs and more youth in amateur radio.
Steve Chafe, KN6TKO, presented a forum introducing digital radio. Satellite
enthusiasts got a chance to experience amateur satellite communication via
the geostationary satellite QO-100 as contacts were logged between Qatar and
India.
One of the core presentations focused on nurturing the spirit of
experimentation among high school students. The session was called
"Maximizing High Frequency DXing Success: Antennas, Propagation, Etiquette,
and Planning."
This is Graham Kemp VK4BB.
(SAQUIB AHMED, VU3HZW)
**
US MARINE CORPS NEEDS HAM SUPPORT AT MARATHON
STEPHEN/ANCHOR: The United States Marine Corps is inviting hams to get in
the running and support one of the nation's largest marathons - without even
lacing up their running shoes. Patrick Clark K8TAC explains how.
PATRICK: It's called the Marine Corps Marathon but it is also known as the
People's Marathon. Running through Washington DC and nearby Arlington
County, Virginia, the race is a showcase of discipline and physical fitness
- the kinds of traits espoused by the United States Marines. The organizing
team needs an estimated 150 ham radio operators at the event to help ensure
the runners stay safe as they make their way through the nation's capital on
Sunday, October 29th. More than 29,000 runners are expected to participate.
To volunteer for this important event, you can sign up online, select what
assignment you want, and then create your profile. Hams who volunteer will
be part of a critical communication network designed to ensure safety among
runners, spectators and even fellow radio operators. Hams will need to
attend one training session before the race and have access to an HT with
VHF capacity and enough battery power to last about 12 hours.
For other details or to volunteer, see the link in the text version of this
week's newscast at arnewsline.org
This is Patrick Clark K8TAC.
[FOR PRINT, DO NOT READ: hamcommunity.com/clubs/page/1-first-steps/ ]
**
ARRL FOUNDATION MARKS 50th YEAR
STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Congratulations to the ARRL Foundation, which is celebrating
a half-century of philanthropic work on behalf of the amateur radio
community. The foundation, which operates in partnership with the ARRL,
provides grants to club, scholarships to students and gives other gives in
support of keeping ham radio vibrant for the next generation of operators.
According to the ARRL website, the nonprofit organization reported in its
most recent annual audit that it had (sal061) million in assets. It has been a
long journey for the small charity that had simple beginnings in September
of 1973, when it was formed with 0,000 and the efforts of a number of
members of the league's board of directors. Larry Shima, WØPAN, is the sole
surviving member of the original board of the foundation. He says on the
ARRL website that he is particularly proud of the scholarship recipients
that the foundation has been able to support over the years. The ARRL said
it expects to award more than 100 scholarships next year, in amounts ranging
from 00 to 5,000.
(ARRL)
**
WORLD OF DX
In the World of DX, be listening for Elvira, IV3FSG, operating as 6W/IV3FSG
from Senegal between the 26th of September and the 16th of October. She is
operating SSB and the digital modes in her spare time. See QRZ.com for QSL
details.
Seppo, OH1VR, is on the air as SV9/OH1VR, from Crete, IOTA number EU-015,
from the 28th of September to the 3rd of October. Seppo will be operating
mainly CW and can be found on 160 through 6 metres. QSL direct to his home
call.
Be listening for Maurizio, IK2GZU, operating as 5H3MB from Tanzania from the
8th of November until the 8th of December, in between doing volunteer work
at a local orphanage. He will be operating SSB, CW and the digital modes on
80-10 metres. See QRZ.com for QSL details.
The Wireless Institute of Australia is celebrating the milestone of 90 years
of publishing its official journal, Amateur Radio. The WIA has reserved the
special event callsign VK9ØAR (Vee Kay Nine Zero Ay R) that any WIA member
or affiliated club can use through December 31st to help with the
celebration. See QRZ.com for QSL details.
(425 DX BULLETIN)
**
KICKER: AT 106, THE WISDOM OF THE AGES
STEPHEN/ANCHOR: We end this week's newscast with a party. It's a birthday
party for a ham who has just turned 106 years old - and you're invited!
Here's Ralph Squillace KK6ITB.
RALPH: Three years ago, when he turned 103, Oscar Norris, W4OXH, (W 4 Oh Ex
H) had to settle for a celebration that amounted to being a drive-through
birthday party. It was the middle of the pandemic and to keep everyone safe,
well-wishers' cars rolled past the North Carolina assisted living center
where Oscar lives and kept the party moving - literally. This year, as the
oldest active ham in the state - and perhaps even the nation - welcomed the
age of 106, he was finally able to welcome his guests in person. His ham
friends and his church friends mingled and celebrated the man everyone calls
"grandpa." Two days before his actual birth date, he was already doing one
of the happiest meet-and-greets of a lifetime.
For many of those attending, it has indeed been a lifetime - and more. Tony
Jones, N4ATJ, president of the Gaston Radio Club in Gastonia, North
Carolina, was a 14-year-old boy when Oscar handed him a book and encouraged
him to study for his license. When Tony later got another license - the one
that put him behind the wheel of a car - he would drive a lot with Oscar,
who became blind after an eye infection more than 70 years ago.
Tony told Newsline [quote] "Oscar is a legend here." [endquote]
If you couldn't get to Courtland Terrace Assisted Living for the party on
the 23rd of September, you can still join the celebration - wherever in the
world you may be - by listening for the callsgn N1O (En One Oh). North
Carolina's biggest ham radio fans of Oscar Norris are using that callsign
until the 1st of October - working from their home QTH or even going to
activate a POTA station.
Tony said it is because Oscar has been a friend and an Elmer to everyone
throughout his exceptionally long life.
He said: [quote] "This is all to honor our beloved Oscar. He is one of a
kind and means the world to all of us." [endquote]
For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Ralph Squillace KK6ITB.
(TONY JONES N4ATJ, GASTON GAZETTE)
**
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, give some thought to the true poetry of amateur radio and let
your literary self shine through. 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 the number of syllables you must use to
write your three-line haiku.
NEWSCAST CLOSE: With thanks to Amateur Radio Daily; Andrew Albertson,
KN4CTG; CQ Magazine; David Behar K7DB; Enigma Reloaded; 425DXNews; Facebook;
Gaston Gazette; Intrepid-Dx Group; Mirko, 9A6KX; QSO Today; Saquib Ahmed,
VU3HZW; shortwaveradio.de; Tony Jones, N4ATJ; Wireless Institute of
Australia; 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 29-set-2023 08:17 E. South America Standard Time
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