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Subj: Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2271 for Friday May 7, 2021
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Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2271 for Friday May 7, 2021
Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2271 with a release date of Friday May
7, 2021 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.
The following is a QST. A pre-eminent ham convention gets a virtual
replacement. Fences get good shortwave reception -- and were microwaves used
as weapons in Washington, DC? All this and more as Amateur Radio Newsline
Report Number 2271 comes your way right now.
***
BILLBOARD CART
**
FRIEDRICHSHAFEN TRADE SHOW TO BE VIRTUAL
PAUL/ANCHOR: In Germany, hams are getting a virtual event as a substitute
for Ham Radio Friedrichshafen, which was called off for the second year in a
row. Ed Durrant DD5LP tells us about its digital replacement.
ED: Hams disappointed by the cancellation of Ham Radio Friedrichshafen are
being offered Ham Radio World, an industry trade show, as a virtual meeting
place from Friday June 25th to Sunday June 27th. The CEO of Messe
Friedrichshafen, Klaus Wellmann, called the event "a digital version of
Europe's leading amateur radio trade show." The three-day replacement event
is free and is being coordinated with the DARC to schedule a variety of ham
radio topics presented on the virtual stage and a showcase of cutting-edge
products. Simulating an in-person environment as much as possible on the
platform, the event will feature opportunities for video chat and
customizable avatars representing visitors.
For additional details, visit the website in the Newsline script for this
week's report.
[FOR PRINT ONLY: DO NOT READ: www.hamradio-friedrichshafen.de]
For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Ed Durrant DD5LP.
PAUL/ANCHOR: Meanwhile in the US, Virtual Contest University and the 2021
Virtual Hamvention FOrums are accepting registration for sessions being held
live through Zoom. Separate registration is required for each event. Visit
contestuniversity dot com and hamvention dot org for more details or to
register.
**
MICROWAVE ATTACKS REPORTED IN WASHINGTON, D.C.
PAUL/ANCHOR: A probe in the United States is studying the latest in a series
of reported attacks transmitting high-powered microwaves—with one such
incident occurring on the south side of the White House late last year. US
lawmakers heard recently about that incident and another one in a nearby
Virginia suburb, according to news reports. The suspected attacks on
American soil appear to be similar to incidents reported by US personnel in
China and Cuba, who reported an array of symptoms later termed "Havana
Syndrome." The agencies are particularly disturbed about the more recent
microwave-related incident reported on the south side of the White House
across the oval lawn known as the Ellipse.
According to CNN, probes by the Pentagon and other agencies have reached no
conclusions. Lawmakers in Washington were briefed recently on the progress
of the investigation.
(CBS, CNN)
**
SPECIAL EVENT RECALLS DOOMED US SUBMARINE
PAUL/ANCHOR: In Maine, hams are getting ready for a special event this month
that will share the tragedy of an American submarine and honor those who
died. Kevin Trotman N5PRE brings us the details.
KEVIN: Eighty-two years after the submarine USS Squalus sank during a test
dive in the Gulf of Maine, a group of amateur radio operators is devoting
the anniversary date to remembering the tragedy. Although 33 survived the
accident on May 23, 1939, 26 died.
Members of the Maine Ham Radio Society will be calling QRZ as special event
station W1S and a certificate will be awarded to hams making successful
contacts with them. According to the Naval History and Heritage Command
website, the sinking was attributed to a mechanical failure within the
engine that caused the state-of-the-art submarine to begin taking on water.
It took until the 13th of September of that same year for the Squalus to be
raised. It was brought to the Portsmouth Navy Yard and decommissioned that
November. In May of the following year it was recommissioned as the USS
Sailfish.
The hams are hoping the special event will help everyone remember the
Squalus, its crew and the civilians on board.
For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Kevin Trotman N5PRE.
(MAINE HAM RADIO SOCIETY, NAVAL HISTORY AND HERITAGE COMMAND)
**
WIA PRESSES ACMA for GREATER SPECTRUM ACCESS
PAUL/ANCHOR: The Wireless Institute of Australia wants to see hams gain
greater access to more frequencies. Graham Kemp VK4BB explains.
GRAHAM: The Wireless Institute of Australia is pressing for increased
amateur access to the spectrum in the range between 3 and 10 MHz, saying
the expansion will enhance what it calls "frequency agility." That's an
option the WIA says amateurs need as they battle congestion, high-power HF
radar systems and overwhelming interference. The WIA is also advocating
study of the bands between 2300-2302MHz and 3300-4200MHz. This
recommendation comes in the wake of the WIA's attendance at the ACMA’s
Technical Liaison Group meetings for frequencies between 3400-3475MHz. The
WIA committed itself to be involved in all other groups relevant to UHF and
SHF bands as needed.
For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Graham Kemp VK4BB.
PAUL/ANCHOR: The WIA has made the request to the Australian Communications
and Media Authority in its Five Year Spectrum Outlook.
(WIA)
**
'FENCE-TENNA' PROJECT GETS GOOD RECEPTION
PAUL/ANCHOR: If you've been on the fence about what kind of antenna is best
for your operations, you might want to have a talk with Hanna Kemp-Welch
M7HKW. The London YL is on the fence too; in fact, she and a group of fellow
artists recently connected their shortwave radios to some fences with some
interesting results. Here's Jeremy Boot G4NJH.
JEREMY: There are dipoles, Yagis, delta loops and multi-band verticals but
Hanna Kemp-Welch prefers to connect her radio to a fence. She and a group of
like-minded artists demonstrated recently how good fences can make good
connections. On Saturday, May 1st, the women went to various locations in
the UK and France as part of a virtual performance by their year-old group,
the Shortwave Collective.
The project was called Fencetenna. Its goal was to use the receiving
properties of their chosen fence to scan the shortwave bands. Whether it was
a fence at a former railway station in London or part of a sheepfold fence
in France, they obtained respectable reception. As seen and heard in a video
posted on YouTube, in one demonstration, they picked up everything from a 2-
metre beacon to a variety of voices from China, Russia and Spain. One member
of the video audience remarked in the accompanying chat: [quote] "If someone
could pick up the Wednesday game for me, that would be great." [endquote]
To watch the video, see the link in this week's Newsline script on our
website arnewsline.org
Although it's often said that fences can divide, it's clear these fences
succeeded in making a series of new connections— and all through the power
of radio.
For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Jeremy Boot G4NJH.
(YOUTUBE, SOUTHGATE)
**
NEW FORMAT UNVEILED FOR YOTA ONLINE
PAUL/ANCHOR: The youngest hams in IARU Region 1 are taking their online
format to a new level by introducing an interactive environment. Ed Durrant
DD5LP fills in the details.
ED: The shape of YOTA Online, the virtual gathering spot for young amateurs
in IARU Region 1, is changing: It's making the move from livestream to
interactive forum. The format, which goes into effect in July, was outlined
in late April by Region 1 Youth Working Group leaders during an online
meeting. The April 29th session was, in fact, identified as the last such
meeting under the old format, which was streamed live on YouTube, Facebook
and Twitch.
Claudia Grober DC2CL, a member of the public relations team, said the simple
livestream meetings are giving way to interactive sessions with voice and
chat capability. She said the experience will be more like a BarCamp style,
referring to the fluid, open environment often called the "un-conference."
The point of shifting to a new format is, in true ham radio spirit, better
communication.
She said to young viewers who tuned in: "See you in July."
For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Ed Durrant DD5LP.
(YOTA ONLINE)
**
'RADIO WATCH' STIRS INTEREST AT EARTH DAY EVENT
PAUL/ANCHOR: A recent Earth Day event in California became a showcase for
the public safety role radio can play and one group of hams made the most of
it. Here's Jack Parker W8ISH with more.
JACK: As residents in Pollock Pines, California celebrated the spirit of
Earth Day at a four-hour community event, the El Dorado County Amateur Radio
Club joined in to celebrate the spirit of communications. The club showcased
its Neighborhood Radio Watch program, which gives non-hams an important
public safety role in emergencies through their use of affordable General
Mobile Radio Service handhelds as well as pagers and scanners. According to
the club's public information officer, Alan Thompson W6WN, this technology
is especially important in a region so prone to deadly wildfires. He said
the club started three such programs in northern California last year and is
preparing to launch three more before wildfire season takes hold this year.
Alan said residents clearly got the club's message during the Earth Day
event and a few former radio amateurs stopped by, expressing interest in
becoming active in radio again and joining the club. Alan said everyone —
even the club itself — benefits from partnering with non-hams in
Neighborhood Watch. He said: [quote] "These Neighborhood Radio Watch
programs have had the unexpected benefit of generating tremendous local good
will and PR for our club, expanded our membership, and dramatically
increased donations. Community radio programs like these could be key in
helping ensure the future of many clubs, and even amateur radio itself."
[endquote]
For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jack Parker W8ISH.
(ALAN THOMPSON W6WN, BOB RINGWALD K6YBV)
**
BREAK HERE: Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio
Newsline heard on bulletin stations around the world including the W3NTT
repeater in Palmerton Pennsylvania at 9 p.m. on Sundays.
**
'SHORTWAVE RADIOGRAM' MARKS 200th BROADCAST
PAUL/ANCHOR: If you enjoy sending — or simply receiving — in the digital
modes, there's a radio show you might want to tune into. Benn Kobb AK4AV
brings us this report.
BENN: You've probably heard the sound of MFSK32 in the ham bands. But if you
hear it in the shortwave broadcast bands, chances are you're hearing
Shortwave Radiogram.
It's a radio show that transmits text and images using digital modes
familiar to radio amateurs, but the digital sounds are broadcast in AM. The
weekly half-hour show airs on shortwave stations WRMI in Florida and WINB in
Pennsylvania.
Shortwave Radiogram just celebrated its 200th episode with broadcasts April
15 through 18. The project began in 2012 on the Voice of America, as VOA
Radiogram. Producer Kim Andrew Elliott, KD9XB, explained why he created this
unique program:
KIM: With more and more countries finding more and more ways to block the
internet, we can use radio to get uncensored news into denied areas. Digital
text modes via old analog shortwave radio transmitters can do this job. The
content gets through even in reception conditions where voice content is
difficult to understand.
BENN: When Kim retired from VOA in 2017, he moved the show to WRMI and WINB,
and changed the name to Shortwave Radiogram.
Every week, listeners from all over the US and the world decode the text and
images and post them on social media for discussion.
Kim posts information and the show schedule online at swradiogram dot net.
That’s swradiogram dot net.
I’m Benn Kobb, AK4AV for Newsline.
**
DEADLINE SET FOR NON-RESIDENTS' VP8 CALLSIGN VALIDATION
PAUL/ANCHOR: The regulator in the Falkland Islands has set a deadline for
non-residents seeking revalidation of their VP8 callsigns. Here's Robert
Broomhead VK3DN with that story.
ROBERT: Hams holding a non-resident lifetime licence in the Falkland
Islands, a VP8 callsign, need to have those callsigns revalidated by the
Falkland Islands Communications Regulator.
In making the announcement on the 27th of April, the regulator said the
revalidation is also open to hams who previously held such a licence. This
is the third and final opportunity hams will have at revalidation and any
licence not properly revalidated will be considered terminated as of the 1st
of September.
The regulator has set a deadline of August 13th for all applications. The
form is available as a download from the regulator's website, which appears
in the print version of this week's newscast script at arnewsline.org.
For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Robert Broomhead VK3DN.
[PRINT ONLY, DO NOT READ: http://www.regulatorfi.org.fk]
**
RSGB SURVEY ASKS HAMS TO WEIGH IN
PAUL/ANCHOR: Amateurs in the UK are getting a chance to have input with
planners of a workshop this fall on ham radio's future. Jeremy Boot G4NJH is
following that story.
JEREMY: To assist the IARU Region 1 with the strategic workshop it has
planned on the future of amateur radio, the Radio Society of Great Britain
is asking hams in the UK–and even UK radio enthusiasts who do not have a
licence–to participate in a short survey.
The questions ask for views on threats to amateur radio, opportunities that
exist in amateur radio and any strengths and weaknesses they see in amateur
radio. The information will be provided to Region 1 organisers of the
workshop who have asked the region's national societies to provide this
input.
The workshop, which will be held in the autumn, hopes to address how
national societies can increase their memberships and how the IARU can
improve its services to the ham radio community.
If you're interested in sharing your views you have until the 23rd of May.
Visit the website at rsgb dot org slash survey (rsgb.org/survey).
For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Jeremy Boot G4NJH.
(RSGB)
**
SILENT KEY: LONGTIME MARS MEMBER LARRY TRISTAN WALKER K4LLQ
PAUL/ANCHOR: A decorated military veteran and a longtime member of the
Military Auxiliary Radio System has become a Silent Key. Larry Tristan
Walker K4LLQ died at home in Ogden, Utah on the 25th of April. According to
his obituary, Larry was an Army career officer and recipient of many medals
during his 23 years of military service. He received the Bronze Star, the
Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal,
Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry
Cross.
His career in amateur radio began as a youngster in Georgia where he got his
license and became the state's youngest ham at the time. Larry later became
active in MARS which he served for 58 years. He was also a member and past
president of the Fauquier [pronounced FAWK-ee-yer] Amateur Radio Association
in Warrenton Virginia.
Larry was 83.
(LEAVENWORTH TIMES, ECHOVITA)
**
VIDEO CELEBRATES UK HAM RADIO DURING PANDEMIC YEAR
PAUL/ANCHOR: A new video highlights ways that the Radio Society of Great
Britain kept amateur radio vibrant during the 2020 pandemic and lockdown.
Newsline is especially proud that we were able to honor the "Get on the Air
to Care" campaign by presenting it with our International Newsmaker of the
Year Award. The GOTA2C campaign was conceived of by Paul Devlin G1SMP and
put into action by the RSGB and the UK’s National Health Service. For a look
at the various initiatives the RSGB accomplished in spite of pandemic
conditions, watch the five-minute video on YouTube. We have provided a link
in the script of this week's newscast at arnewsline.org
[FOR PRINT, DO NOT READ: www.youtube.com/watch?v=_s6xXgStSCc]
(RSGB)
**
WORLD OF DX
In the World of DX, be listening for Ed, ES2TT, operating as ES2TT/8 from
Kihnu Island in the Baltic Sea between the 29th and 30th of May. Listen on
40, 30 and 20 meters where he will be using CW and SSB. QSL via his home
callsign, direct or via the Bureau.
(OHIO PENN DX)
**
KICKER: SHARING THE RAGCHEWS OF A LIFETIME
PAUL/ANCHOR: In a Newsline report that aired in October of 2019, we told the
story of two older hams and an enduring friendship between them: an American
heart surgeon in his 80s and a retired TV engineer in his 90s. The engineer
became a Silent Key last month. Kent Peterson KC0DGY has that story, which
concludes this week's report for Newsline.
KENT: In the logbook of a radio amateur's life, there are endless contacts,
but perhaps few more valid than the ones logged by Ted Trowell G2HKU during
his 98 years. The retired TV engineer, who became a Silent Key on April
13th, was a respected member of the UK's ham radio community for his long
lifetime on the air. He'd been a ham since before the Second World War,
using the callsign 2HKU. Two years ago he received the highest honor from
the First Class Radio Operators Club, presented to him personally by
American heart surgeon, Bill Maxson N4AR, who flew from the US to hand it
personally to Ted, a cherished friend he'd first met on the air in the late
1950s. The occasion marked their second eyeball QSO during the pair's seven
decades of countless ragchews.
Edward Harry "Ted" Trowell was described in one UK newspaper as one of
Britain's oldest and longest-serving radio amateurs. He had been a member of
the FOC and the CDXC. He died just weeks after marking his 98th birthday.
For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Kent Peterson KC0DGY.
(KENT ONLINE, DX NEWS)
**
NEWSCAST CLOSE: With thanks to Alan Thompson W6WN; Amateur News Weekly; the
ARRL; Bob Ringwald K6YBV; CBS; CNN; CQ Magazine; David Behar K7DB; DX News;
Ham Radio Friedrichshafen; Kent Online; the Leavenworth Times; Maine Ham
Radio Society; Naval History and Heritage Command; Ohio Penn DX newsletter;
QRZ.com; Radio Society of Great Britain; Southgate Amateur Radio News;
shortwaveradio.de; Ted Randall's QSO Radio Show; WTWW Shortwave; Wireless
Institute of Australia; YouTube; YOTA Online; 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. Be sure to follow some
of these stories as they get a more indepth look on the YouTube Channel of
100 Watts and a Wire. Search for the video segment with the title "Two
Stories."
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 2021. All rights reserved.
73 de Bill, PY2BIL
PY2BIL@PY2BIL.SP.BRA.SOAM
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BBS: PY2BIL - Timed 07-mai-2021 08:08 E. South America Standard Time
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