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Subj: Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2276 for Friday June 11, 2021
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Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2276 for Friday June 11, 2021
Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2276 with a release date of Friday June
11, 2021 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.
The following is a QST. The ISS gets into the act for Field Day. NASA
experiments with using laser waves to supplement radio - and a radio
expedition goes in search of Bigfoot! All this and more as Amateur Radio
Newsline Report Number 2276 comes your way right now.
***
BILLBOARD CART
**
ISS CROSSBAND REPEATER READY FOR FIELD DAY OPERATORS
STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Our top story this week may just help you prepare for Field
Day. If you're looking to score some bonus points during those two days, try
making a contact via the International Space Station. The InterOperable
Radio System on board the ISS will remain in crossband repeater mode during
Field Day on the 26th and 27th of June. This is a change from the original
plan to switch operation from crossband back to APRS packet during the
second week of June. That changeover has been postponed until after Field
Day.
By using the repeater, you don't just get a Field Day QSO point but bonus
points. In fact, crossband repeater contacts can also be used that same
weekend for AMSAT Field Day for satellite operations. The repeater
frequencies are 145.990 MHz FM up, 67 Hz tone and 437.800 MHz down. ARISS
recommends pre-Field Day practice sessions for any hams who've never used
the repeater before.
(ARISS)
**
NASA TO TEST DATA TRANSFER VIA LASER COMMUNICAIONS
STEPHEN/ANCHOR: If you're interested in an alternate communications mode,
consider the option that NASA is exploring. Kent Peterson KC0DGY brings us
those details.
KENT: Welcome to the age of optical communications. This month NASA is
launching the Laser Communications Relay Demonstration or LCRD, as a payload
on a US satellite in geosynchronous orbit some 22,000 miles from Earth. This
demonstration will test higher bandwidth transfer using optical
communications which may supplement traditional data transfer using radio.
The infrared light used for laser communications differs from radio waves
because the laser packs the data into significantly tighter waves increasing
the data throughput 10 to 100 times more than that of radio frequency
systems. Laser communications systems are also smaller and weigh less. The
LCRD is expected to use a data rate of 1.2 gigabits per second in its
communications with ground stations in California and Hawaii.
NASA said on its website that radio technology's limits are being challenged
by newer technologies. At this data rate, one could download a two-hour
movie in about 20 seconds.
For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Kent Peterson KC0DGY.
(NASA, PHOTONICS.COM)
**
PRIDE RADIO GROUP PROJECT HELPS SHACK STARTUP COSTS
STEPHEN/ANCHOR: For some hams in Australia, the cost of starting in amateur
radio just got a little easier. Graham Kemp VK4BB tells us why.
GRAHAM: In Australia, the Pride Radio Group is working to take the financial
sting out of becoming a ham. The group is making free kits with basic
equipment available to Pride members who qualify for the assistance and live
in Australia. Pride is also providing tutorials on how to get started with
the kits. The kits contain, in part, an FM/DMR Handie Talkie, a NanoVNA with
RF Demo board, a hotspot, cables and adapters along with several other basic
essentials.
Michaela Wheeler, VK3FUR/VK4XSS, the group's founder, said this is one way
to offset the high cost of starting in amateur radio in Australia, an effort
that can carry a price tag of about 095 Australian dollars. Pride Radio
Group, which was formed last year as a welcoming organisation for amateur
radio operators in the LGBTQ community, has shown a consistent growth in
membership and now has a roster of 241.
For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Graham Kemp VK4BB.
(MICHAELA WHEELER, VK3FUR/VK4XSS)
**
NEW UK HAM CLUB SCHEDULES FIRST IN-PERSON MEETING
STEPHEN/ANCHOR: For one of the newest clubs in the UK, the next meeting will
not only be in person meeting but will be their first. Jeremy Boot G4NJH
explains.
JEREMY: Even as the pandemic was forcing people into isolation last year,
one of the newest amateur radio clubs in the UK was making plans to bring
radio operators together — at least in spirit if not in person.
Paul M0XZT and Andi 2E0GGX started up the East Ardsley Radio Society G3EAR
to fill a need for local hams wanting to be together. Now the newly created
club, known informally as "EARS," is preparing for its first in-person
meeting on 25th June at the East Ardsley Cricket Club.
The painting and redecorating have already been done and, as Paul told
Newsline [quote] "We are ready to open for our first proper club meeting."
[endquote]. If government restrictions are not lifted by that time, Paul
said, the hams will meet outside the club shack instead for a bit of
socialising. That's likely to be a lot easier than the Facebook messenger
chat they've been using all this time.
Paul and Andi hope to be joined by fellow founders Bob 2E0RMW, David G1NYN,
Marc 2E0VTN, Darren 2E0VBL and Mick M6MWP.
Paul told Newsline the long term goal is to cater to local hams at all
levels of experience and open their doors to anyone wanting to try for a
contact on HF, DMR, D-STAR, Fusion or someone perhaps wanting to learn
Morse.
First, however, they simply look forward to opening their doors.
For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Jeremy Boot G4NJH.
(PAUL DRIVER M0XZT)
**
DATA NETWORK GROUP CHALLENGES FCC BID TO TAKE SPECTRUM
STEPHEN/ANCHOR: An FCC move that would take an amateur emergency network off
part of the 5 GHz band is getting some pushback. Andy Morrison K9AWM brings
us up to date.
ANDY: The Amateur Radio Emergency Data Network has taken the next step in
its challenge to an FCC order that would eliminate the network's access to
the upper part of the 5 GHz band. The FCC intends to allocate those
frequencies instead for intelligent transportation systems and for
unlicensed use such as Wi-Fi.
On June 2nd, the network filed comments with the agency, reaffirming radio
operators' critical need to retain use of the band between 5.895 GHz and
5.925 GHz. The AREDN's attorney filed the comments one month after
submitting a petition asking the FCC to withdraw the order. The Notice of
Proposed Rulemaking dates to December 2019 when the FCC announced its
intention to reassign the band's upper 30 megahertz.
The AREDN is a high speed data network supplying public safety agencies with
digital communications support through its email, text and audio-video
capabilities. It relays messages in emergencies such as forest fires and
natural disasters and has also been used in public service events.
Meanwhile, the FCC is also seeking comment on its proposal to give
additional spectrum to private space launch companies on the amateur radio
frequencies between 420 and 430 MHz and 5.65 to 5.925 GHz. Hams have a
secondary allocation on these frequencies on the 70cm and 5cm bands,
respectively. The 70cm frequencies are widely used by hams for repeater
links and amateur television and a portion of the 5 GHz spectrum is used by
the AREDN.
For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Andy Morrison K9AWM.
(FCC, PAUL STRAUSS, WD6EBY)
**
MUSEUM SHIPS WEEKEND SAILS TO SUCCESS
STEPHEN/ANCHOR: The annual Museum Ships Weekend was a scaled-down event due
to propagation and the pandemic but there was nothing scaled-down about its
success. Kevin Trotman N5PRE tells us about it.
KEVIN: Having long since traded their military careers for roles as public
museums, an international array of battleships, aircraft carriers,
minesweepers, destroyers and cargo ships was determined to have fun in spite
of challenging conditions. That's just what they did for 48 hours on June
5th and 6th. The annual Museum Ships Weekend got on the air with hams
calling QRZ from the Netherlands to Australia all the way to Camden, New
Jersey, home of the Battleship New Jersey Amateur Radio Station, the event's
sponsors. Although pandemic precautions reduced the number of participating
ships to 81, radio operators were busy nonetheless. Harry Bryant AA2WN, the
club president, said preliminary results showed on the New Jersey ship
alone, the 9 operators -- operating two at a time -- logged 554 HF contacts
from 10 countries and 38 states. Using one of the ship's satellite antennas
as an enclosure for a 2m/440 antenna array, the operators also were able to
make contacts on VHF for the first time. Harry said that band conditions
were less than optimal for this year's event but the hams made the best of
40, 30 and 20 meters operating as NJ2BB.
Harry said that despite the pandemic and propagation [quote] "We still had a
fun and satisfying event. We are ever hopeful that normalcy will prevail
next year with many more ships, operating hours, operators and better band
conditions." [endquote]
These ships, after all, have seen greater challenges.
For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Kevin Trotman N5PRE.
(HARRY BRYANT AA2WN)
**
BREAK HERE: Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio
Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world including the VK8MA
repeater in Australia's Northern Territory on the simplex frequency 146.750
MHZ on Sundays at 7 p.m. local time.
**
HAMVENTION FORUM VIDEOS AVAILABLE ON YOUTUBE
STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Hamvention—had it happened—would have lasted two to three
days. You are now able to participate in two highlights of that weekend held
virtually in May by spending a little more than eight hours on YouTube.
Contest University, held May 20th, and many of the Hamvention Forums, held
May 21st, are now available on YouTube. They include the CQ Contest Hall of
Fame presentation by John K1AR; youth in contesting, presented by Phillip
DK6SP, contesting from Russia by Willy UA9BA; "There is Nothing Magic about
Propagation" by Jose CT1BOH, and a memorial reading of the Silent Keys.
(YOUTUBE)
**
FOUNDATION GRANT WILL HELP EUROPEAN HAMNET TO GROW
STEPHEN/ANCHOR: A high-speed amateur network in Europe has just become the
first international recipient of a grant from a California foundation. Ed
Durrant DD5LP tells us about their plans.
ED: Amateur Radio Digital Communications, a private foundation based in
California, has provided its first international grant to assist in
expansion of the European HAMNET, a high-speed amateur radio multimedia
network. The funding, which will go through the Deutscher Amateur Radio Club
in Germany, will provide sponsored hardware for radio links to make use of
the Amateur Packet Radio Network IP space in Europe.
With this grant, DARC becomes the first non-US organisation to be given an
ARDC grant.
ARDC president Phil Karn KA9Q issued a statement saying that ARDC's goal has
long been to give grants like this to qualifying non-profit organisations
outside the US. DARC president Christian Entsfellner DL3MBG issued a
statement adding [quote]: "We are highly excited that with this grant we can
give the European HAMNET project a huge boost.ö [endquote]
For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Ed Durrant DD5LP.
(ARDC)
**
SILENT KEY: ARECIBO'S GORDON PETTENGILL W1OUN
STEPHEN/ANCHOR: A noted educator, researcher and amateur radio operator who
specialized in radar as a tool for space exploration has become a Silent
Key. Here's Jim Damron N8TMW to tell us more.
JIM: Many on the campus of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and
beyond are mourning the death of professor emeritus and radio astronomy
pioneer Gordon Pettengill W1OUN. He had been director of the then-new
Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico before stepping down in 1970. At MIT he
became a professor of planetary physics and director of the MIT Center for
Space Research. Gordon's work also involved repurposing military radar
technology for science and space exploration. At MIT he also used the
Lincoln Laboratory Millstone Hill radar to create the first two-dimensional
radar map of the moon. The map was a critical component used by NASA in its
plans for the Apollo moon landings that were to come later.
Gordon was an avid ham radio operator throughout his life, starting with his
high school years. Gordon was a World War II veteran and after the war
ended, he continued his involvement in communications through his assignment
to the US Army's Signal Corps, stationed in Austria.
He died in May at the age of 95 of congestive heart failure.
For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Jim Damron N8TMW.
(MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY)
**
WORLD OF DX
In the World of DX, be listening for Adrien, F4IHM, who is using the
callsign 5UAIHM until June 27th from Niger. He is on 40m and 20m using CW
and SSB. QSL to F4IHM, direct or by the Bureau.
Be listening for the callsign GB1ORC, a special event callsign of the Online
Amateur Radio Community. OARC is marking the one-year anniversary of its
founding as an online amateur radio club based in the UK. GB1ORC will be on
the air until June 20th. The club will also use GB0ARC until June 24th.
In Scotland, listen for Paul, G4PVM, using the callsign GM4PVM from the Isle
of Lismore (IOTA EU-008) between June 29th and July 4th. Paul will be on the
air holiday style using 40m to 10m, both CW and SSB. Send QSLs via LoTW,
eQSL or ClubLog for IOTA.
Listen for the special event callsign TM57COV between the 15th and 29th of
June. A team of French amateur radio operators will be on the air to pay
tribute to those who have died from COVID-19 or are currently struggling to
recover. The station also pays tribute to the caregivers who are working
with COVID cases. For QSL details visit the station's page on QRZ.com
(OHIO PENN DX, SOUTHGATE)
**
KICKER: TAKING MANY SMALL STEPS TO FOLLOW SOME BIG FEET
STEPHEN/ANCHOR: What is better than a rare DX? How about scoring a rare
sighting right where you've set up your portable station? Mike Askins KE5CXP
has that report for us.
MIKE: When the hams in the Bigfoot Radio Net go on a field expedition, as
they did just a few weeks ago in the Ouachita National Forest in Oklahoma,
they're looking to log a big contact. You might say a big-footed contact. To
some he's known as Bigfoot. To others, Sasquatch. On everything from
weeklong special events to overnight solo investigations, Brent Boydston
KF5THB has been on the hunt since 2016 for the legendary creature. No,
Bigfoot doesn't have a callsign—at least not yet—but then this part of the
hunt doesn't happen while they're on the air or cooking under the canopy of
stars. Brent says that when not calling QRZ, he looks for the classic
oversized muddy footprint or certain rock formations said to comprise his
habitat.
Brent told Newsline that while in Oklahoma's Winding Stairs Mountains
recently, he and his brother [quote] "looked for Bigfoot, we listened for
Bigfoot and we smelled for Bigfoot." [endquote] The expeditions are the
natural spinoff of the weekly Bigfoot Radio Net on Wednesdays at 2000
Central Time on 7.155 MHz. He said ham radio and Bigfoot go together because
the ragchew topics are usually about someone's close encounters.
Quoting Brent: "Calling CQ means never knowing what you may find. Similarly,
looking for a mythical creature in a vast wilderness means the same."
[endquote] That turns every adventure into a sasq-WATCH.
For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Mike Askins KE5CXP.
(BRENT BOYDSTON, KF5THB)
**
NEWSCAST CLOSE: With thanks to Amateur News Weekly; AMSAT; ARISS; the ARRL;
Brent Boydston KF5THB; CQ Magazine; David Behar K7DB; FCC; HARRY BRYANT
AA2WN; Massachusetts Institute of Technology; MICHAELA WHEELER,
VK3FUR/VK4XSS; NASA; Ohio Penn DX newsletter; Paul Strauss, WD6EBY; Paul
Driver, M0XZT; Photonics.com; QRZ.com; Radio Society of Great Britain;
Southgate Amateur Radio News; shortwaveradio.de; Ted Randall's QSO Radio
Show; WTWW Shortwave; YouTube; and you our listeners, that's all from the
Amateur Radio Newsline. You can write to us at newsline@arnewsline.org. For
more information or to support us visit our 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 Stephen Kinford N8WB in Wadsworth Ohio saying 73.
As always we thank you for listening.
Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) is Copyright 2021. All rights reserved.
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