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Subj: Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2269 for Friday April 23, 2021
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Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2269 for Friday April 23, 2021
Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2269 with a release date of Friday
April 23, 2021 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.
The following is a QST. History is made with a first flight on Mars. Youth
ham radio camp is postponed again in Region 1 -- and supersleuth ham helps
rescue a stranded hiker. All this and more as Amateur Radio Newsline Report
Number 2269 comes your way right now.
***
BILLBOARD CART
**
DRONE MAKES 1ST POWERED FLIGHT ON MARS
JIM/ANCHOR: We begin this week with the greatest moment not on Earth....but
on Mars. The American aviation pioneers, Wilbur and Orville Wright, would be
proud that the spirit of their 1903 achievement lives on 173 million miles
away — on Mars. Paul Braun WD9GCO brings us that story.
PAUL: It only lasted a minute but it was the moment of many lifetimes.
Ingenuity the drone aboard NASA's Perseverance Mars Rover, took to the air
on Monday April 19th, marking the first powered controlled flight of an
aircraft on another planet. With Mars' freezing temperatures, plus an
atmospheric density that is 1 percent of Earth's and a gravity one-third of
Earth's, the challenge of achieving liftoff was different from what the
Wright brothers faced in 1903 with their pioneering flight here on Earth. In
fact, a tiny portion of the original Wright flyer was on board.
Scientists at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California were hailing
the pioneering flight as a "Wright Brothers Moment" on Mars. The little
drone achieved a height of about 3 metres during the 40-second flight. Data
was sent back to Earth via the Mars rover. There will be other flights,
expected to be farther and at greater heights. NASA announced that this
newest of all airfields on the red planet would be named Wright Brothers
Field. Following the flight, the International Civil Aviation Organization,
an agency of the UN, gave NASA and the Federal Aviation Administration an
official designator of IGY, call-sign INGENUITY.
For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Paul Braun WD9GCO.
(NASA, BBC)
**
REGION 1 YOUTH AMATEUR RADIO CAMP POSTPONED
JIM/ANCHOR: Young amateurs in IARU Region 1 are going to have to wait
another year to attend ham radio camp. Ed Durrant DD5LP brings us up to
date.
ED: Concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic have postponed the YOTA summer camp
planned for this summer by the Youth Working Group of IARU Region 1. In
making the announcement, Philipp DK6SP and Markus DL8GM, the group's chair
and vice chair respectively, said that the organisers' intention is to
reschedule the camp for the summer of 2022. This is the second pandemic-
related postponement for the camp, which was being held with support from
the Croatian Amateur Radio Society. In place of in-person events, Youngsters
on the Air in Region 1 has been hosting a number of online workshops.
Meanwhile, in IARU Region 2, planners have said they are still optimistic
that they will be able hold the first Youth on the Air camp for young
amateurs in North, Central and South America this summer, and will be
providing a COVID-regulations-compliant environment.
For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Ed Durrant DD5LP.
JIM/ANCHOR: As Newsline went to production we also learned that the IARU
Region 1 YOTA Subregional Camp in Hungary was also being postponed. The
Hungarian Amateur Radio Society made the decision based on Region 1's COVID-
19 event cancellation policy.
(SOUTHGATE, YOTA REGION 1)
**
EXPERIMENTAL SENSOR SHOWS NOISE-REDUCTION POTENTIAL
JIM/ANCHOR: If you're constantly battling noise in the environment in your
attempts to get on the air, this next story from Kent Peterson KC0DGY might
just show some promise.
KENT: Researchers in the US who have been working with atom-based sensors
and receivers say their work holds potential for weeding out environmental
noise and other radio interference. Scientists at the National Institute of
Standards and Technology see the sensor as a vital component because of its
ability to measure what they call the "angle of arrival" of a wireless
signal, a capability that they believe will have a positive impact on
transmissions for radar, 5G and other modes. According to an article in
phys.org, the system is able to take incoming signals and convert them to
different frequencies. After measuring the separate electromagnetic waves'
frequencies and their phase–that is, the position of the waves relative to
each other–the system can determine where the signal is coming from. The
scientists say that's necessary in order to differentiate real
communications from interfering signals. According to the phys.org article,
atom-based radio receivers and antennas have other added benefits: They can
be a great deal smaller than their traditional counterparts and, by making
use of atoms to do the main work, have no need for more conventional forms
of electronics to do signal conversion.
For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Kent Peterson KC0DGY.
(PHYS.ORG)
**
CALIFORNIA AMATEUR HAILED AS 'GPS SLEUTH'
JIM/ANCHOR: A California amateur has used his skills to help in the rescue
of a missing hiker as we hear from Mike Askins KE5CXP.
MIKE: The Los Angeles Times is calling Ben Kuo AI6YR (Ay EYE Six Y R) a
"tech-savvy good Samaritan" and a "GPS sleuth." Ben, whose ham radio
activities have proven especially critical during California's wildfires,
recently used his skills to assist in another emergency: Los Angeles County
officials were frantically searching for a hiker who'd gone missing on a
peak in California's Angeles National Forest on Monday, April 12th. Ben's
only clue was a photo the sheriff's office had posted on its social media
accounts: the hiker's photo of his legs atop a rocky cliff. Ben, who knows
the area as a hiker and SOTA activator, realized he might be able to match
the terrain in the hiker's photo by using publicly available satellite
imagery. According to the Times story, when he thought he found a close
enough match, Ben sent authorities the GPS coordinates. The location was
close enough: Using the coordinates, a rescue team picked up the hiker the
next day just as temperatures were set to plummet to below-freezing levels.
The hiker was in a remote, almost inaccessible area about three-quarters of
a mile away from the spot Ben had pinpointed.
Ben told Newsline he's grateful he could call upon his experience as a hiker
and SOTA activator, both of which keep his map and navigation skills sharp.
In fact, he said, the hiker was found not far from SOTA summit W6/CT-064,
East Twin Peaks. According to news reports, the hiker was airlifted to
safety by a search-and-rescue team and did not require hospitalization.
For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Mike Askins KE5CXP.
(BEN KUO AI6YR, ABC CHANNEL 7, LOS ANGELES TIMES, VENTURA COUNTY STAR)
**
OREGON UTILITY FUNDS PURCHASE OF SOLAR-POWERED RADIOS
JIM/ANCHOR: Solar-powered emergency radios are being made available to some
hams in coastal Oregon thanks to the local utility. Christian Cudnik K0STH
brings us those details.
CHRISTIAN: The sun is shining in more ways than one for the members of the
Emergency Volunteer Corps of Nehalem (nuh-HAY-lum) Bay in Oregon. The local
electric utility has given them a ,000 grant to help them buy ham radio
base stations that run on solar power. A "go-box" has already been designed
to serve as a solar-powered station with a 25-watt radio, antenna, battery,
solar panel and other equipment, enabling emails to be transmitted over the
air. The volunteer corps plans to set the stations up around the northern
part of Tillamook (tilla-MOOK) County as part of their long-range plan to
help bolster the coastal region's resilience following any major calamity.
This is included in an overall communications plan that incorporates General
Mobile Radio Service as well as amateur radio. According to an article in
the Tillamook County Pioneer website, the region has more than 100 amateur
radio operators and 400 more residents using GMRS.
For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Christian Cudnik K0STH.
(THE TILLAMOOK COUNTY PIONEER)
**
NEW DISCOVERY FOUND IN FAST-RADIO BURSTS
JIM/ANCHOR: Is changing frequencies a good thing? Well hams do it all the
time and now a mysterious transmission in space known as an FRB, or fast-
radio burst, has been found to be engaging in that practice too. Jeremy Boot
G4NJH has more on that story.
JEREMY: Researchers have made a discovery that they say changes the shape of
their search for the source of FRBs, fast-radio bursts detected in space
that appear to come from – well, no one quite knows. Scientists in McGill
University's physics department have detected bursts down to 110 MHz, a good
deal lower in frequency than the previously detected 300 MHz. Writing in the
Astrophysical Journal Letters, the researchers write that this new discovery
has led them to think differently about where the bursts are coming from.
Using radiotelescopes in British Columbia and the Netherlands, the team
detected the significantly lower frequencies and a consistent delay of about
three days between detection of the higher and the lower frequencies.
They're still hot on the trail of the source of the bursts but say that the
ability to detect 110 MHz transmissions brings them much closer to
understanding things, especially one burst that was first detected in 2018
and is relatively close to Earth.
For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jeremy Boot G4NJH.
(PHYS.ORG)
**
BREAK HERE: Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio
Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world including the N2JDW
repeater in New York City on Monday at 8 p.m. local time.
**
SEEKING NOMINATIONS FOR YOUNG HAM OF THE YEAR
JIM/ANCHOR: You have until May 31st to nominate a talented young radio
amateur for theBill Pasternak WA6ITF Memorial Amateur Radio Newsline Young
Ham of the Year award. Think of a young amateur whose commitment to
community and whose enthusiasm for radio has inspired you and others and
submit their name. Nominees must 18 or younger living in the United States,
its possessions or any Canadian province. Downloadable nomination forms are
due no later than May 31st and can be found on our website arnewsline.org
**
DISCOVERING SIMPLEX IN 'LIGHT UP 2 METERS' EVENT
JIM/ANCHOR: One of the best ways to get hams on the same band, in the same
mode at the same time is to organize an event. Sunday April 25th is the date
for 'Light Up 2 Meters Night,' a very local event for participating hams who
are encouraged to get on the air using 2 meters simplex from 6 p.m. to 8
p.m. local time. The event is the creation of Joseph Durnal NE3R who
stresses that this isn't a contest; just an operating activity to bring hams
together and explore the possibilities of operating simplex. The primary
operating frequency will be 146.52 MHz, but other simplex frequencies may
also be available in different locations.
(JOSEPH DURNAL NE3R)
**
STRAIGHT KEY CENTURY CLUB PREPS FOR SPRINTATHON
JIM/ANCHOR: Fifteen years of sending CW with a straight key is no small
achievement. Randy Sly W4XJ is here to tell us how one group has been making
every contact a celebration for all those years.
RANDY: The Straight Key Century Club is celebrating its 15th anniversary. It
all began with a simple post in the QRZ.com forum about the ARRL Straight
Key Night after it ended in 2006. Tom Peterson, KC9ECI, wanted to see the
event extended. He wrote:"Do it the 1st of each month. Start your own SKCC
club. One hundred Qs with a straight key in a year gets a certificate. Ah,
the heck with it ...I'm officially starting the SKCC club..." Since that
day, the club has grown to over 24,000 members who are taking to the
airwaves with straight keys, sideswipers and semi-automatic keys.
Tom told Newsline that he never thought the club would get this big. In
fact, he's amazed. He said: "The success of the SKCC has less to do with me
and everything to do with a great bunch of operators who were willing to
step up. I just provided the ‘spark’ of an idea."
Members can work toward awards and participate in many activities, including
a monthly Sprintathon. The May Sprintathon, which starts at 1200Z on May 8,
offers bonus points for a contact made with any member who joined during the
first year, those with a number lower than 2545.
For more information and to register for a free membership, visit
skccgroup.com.
For Amateur Radio Newsline, I’m Randy Sly, W4XJ, SKCC number 616S
**
SWISS AMATEUR SOCIETY SEEKING MENTORS
JIM/ANCHOR: Recognizing that amateur radio isn't an activity we engage in
alone, the national amateur radio society in Switzerland is asking members
to take things one step further: They want seasoned hams to consider
mentoring newcomers. Jeremy Boot G4NJH has that story.
JEREMY: The USKA, the Swiss national amateur radio society, has put out a
call to its members asking them to consider offering encouragement, support
and expertise to new and prospective amateurs. The national society is in
the process of putting together a mentoring system and hopes hams will offer
their time and commitment to meet with newcomers, either virtually or in
person. Their responsibilities will include helping to answer questions on
either the Ofcom HB3 Novice licence or the HB9 (CEPT Class 1) certificate.
Other mentors are being asked to serve as instructors, provide advice for
participation in contests and other events as well as demonstrating certain
basic skills. Willi HB9AMC, who coordinates youth training for the society,
said [quote] "The activity is fully worthy of the ethos of amateur radio.'
" [endquote]
For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Jeremy Boot G4NJH.
(SOUTHGATE)
**
AMATEUR RADIO CENSUS PROBES RELEVANT ISSUES
JIM/ANCHOR: Was there ever a ham radio operator who didn't want to be heard?
Well, one amateur in Maryland is giving hams around the world an opportunity
for just that, even without benefit of a rig, an antenna or a linear amp.
Jim K3MRI has launched a new effort called Ham Census, which he said is
inspired by the newest licensees who have entered the worldwide community.
The Census presents questions about the future of amateur radio, personal
views on regulations, operating preferences, gear and organizations. The
six-part census takes about 40 to 45 minutes to complete and it is available
online at hamcensus.org. There is no cutoff date for responses. Jim said
results are available to all respondents in the hopes that a better-informed
amateur community can more effectively influence laws, practices and the
future of amateur radio in general.
(HAM COMMUNITY.ORG)
**
PRESENTATIONS NEEDED FOR SOUTH AFRICAN SYMPOSIUM
JIM/ANCHOR: Organizers of a virtual space symposium taking place this summer
are looking for presentations on amateur satellites, space weather and
related topics. Jason Daniels VK2LAW tells how you can share your knowledge.
JASON: If you have expertise on space weather, amateur satellites or weak
signal communication, AMSAT SA and the South African Radio League are
interested in hearing from you. They're looking for papers on these subjects
and related topics for presentation at this year's space symposium being
presented virtually on Saturday the 10th of July. Interested presenters are
being asked to submit their proposals no later than the 15th of May,
preferably in Word document format. The papers can be emailed to admin at
amsatsa dot org dot za. (admin@amsatsa.org.za) Authors of the presentations
being chosen will be notified on the 20th of May and the final versions of
the papers are due by the 30th of June.
The symposium's theme is "Unlocking Amateur Space Technology."
For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Jason Daniels VK2LAW.
(AMSAT)
**
WORLD OF DX
In the world of DX, isten for John, W2GD, who will be active as P40W between
May 25th and June 1st from Aruba, focusing on 30, 17 and 12 metres. He will
also be on 160 metres mostly on CW. Listen for him during the CQWW WPX CW
Contest being held May 29th to 30th where he will use the call sign P44W.
QSL using LoTW or N2MM.
If you want to work Indonesia, listen for Hans, YB2DX, during the CQWW WPX
CW Contest in May. Send QSLs using LoTW or direct to his home callsign.
(OHIO PENN DX)
**
KICKER: A VANISHING FRATERNITY OF RADIO REPAIRMEN
JIM/ANCHOR: Our final story is about a vanishing fraternity: two brothers in
India whose love of repairing old radios is endless but whose way of earning
a living is, sadly, finite. In fact, if the brothers who run the family's
radio repair shop in Hyderabad (HYDRA-bad), India were amateur radio
operators, they might have earned the nickname "The Homebrew Brothers."
Their business has operated in the heart of town since 1948. The brothers
spend their time repairing and re-selling radios. They learned the art from
their father, who first learned in the 1920s and founded the business.
Mujeebudin (moo-gee-BOO-din) is now 82 years old and his younger brother,
Moinuddin (Moe-Ee-NOO-Din) is 71. The business is called Mahboob Radio
Service and according to an article on the Arab News website, it is the last
radio repair shop in the southern Indian state of Telangana (tell-an-GHANA).
The shelves inside contain a who's who of much-loved brands: Marconi,
Phillips, Johnson, GEC and Telefunken. The oldest radio set is a 100-year-
old Murphy.
In here, the brothers do things the old-fashioned way: they fix things by
replacing damaged parts. They told the news website that newer radios, with
their advanced technology, don't necessarily even offer that option. There's
one more option that's also unavailable to the brothers: passing their radio
business on to the next generation. None of their children know how to fix
radios and aren't interested anyway.
Said one of the brothers: "The business will end with us."
(ARAB NEWS)
**
NEWSCAST CLOSE: With thanks to the Amateur News Weekly; AMSAT; Arab News;
the ARRL; CQ Magazine; David Behar K7DB; HamCommunity.Org; the Japan Amateur
Radio League; Joseph Durnal NE3R; NASA; Ohio Penn DX newsletter; PHYS.ORG;
QRZed.com; Straight Key Century Club; Southgate Amateur Radio News;
shortwaveradio.de; Ted Randall's QSO Radio Show; Tillamook County Pioneer;
WTWW Shortwave; and you our listeners, that's all from the Amateur Radio
Newsline. Please send emails to our address at newsline@arnewsline.org. More
information is available at Amateur Radio Newsline's only official website
at arnewsline.org.
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 2021. All rights reserved.
73 de Bill, PY2BIL
PY2BIL@PY2BIL.SP.BRA.SOAM
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------+
BBS: PY2BIL - Timed 23-abr-2021 10:22 E. South America Standard Time
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