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Subj: Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2278 for Friday June 25, 2021
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Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2278 for Friday June 25, 2021
Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2278 with a release date of Friday June
25, 2021 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.
The following is a QST. There's high adventure at sea for a low-power
beacon. Hams in India pay tribute to a Silent Key -- and Dutch Novice class
amateurs welcome new license privileges. All this and more as Amateur Radio
Newsline Report Number 2278 comes your way right now.
***
BILLBOARD CART
***
AMATEUR RADIO BEACON ON RETURN TRANSATLANTIC VOYAGE
DON/ANCHOR: Our top story this week takes us on a seagoing voyage with a
brave young man in a small boat. He's got his oars in the water and a ham
radio beacon on board. Jeremy Boot G4NJH navigates that report for us.
JEREMY: An experimental amateur radio beacon is making a 3,000-mile, 80-day
journey across the Atlantic Ocean in a rowing boat - its second such trip
this year – as the sole companion of French adventurer Guirec Soudée.
The 1-watt WSPR beacon, transmitting on 30 metres nine times an hour, is not
there for Guirec's entertainment. According to Anthony F4GOH, who built the
beacon with Maurice F6CIU for their friend's adventure, it is designed to
help keep track of him if his satellite phone fails.
Guirec and his rowing boat, Romane, left Cape Cod in New England bound for
his hometown in Brittany, France on Tuesday 15th June. It was the second leg
of his voyage which began in December when the young adventurer left the
Canary Islands for St. Bart's in the Caribbean.
A veteran sailor at 29, Guirec, in 2013, became the youngest person to sail
to Alaska. During the first part of this latest trip crossing the Atlantic,
he capsized twice en route to the Caribbean.
Anthony told Newsline [quote] "safety is the priority" [endquote], adding
that the beacon has been transmitting his French callsign.
For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Jeremy Boot G4NJH.
**
SPACEWALKING HAMS INSTALL SOLAR PANELS ON ISS
DON/ANCHOR: If you've ever had a project keep you at the bench for hours, or
you've had to postpone it because of technical issues - you can probably
relate, if only a little, to the task just completed by ISS astronauts
Thomas Pesquet KG5FYG and Shane Kimbrough KE5HOD. The two, who arrived on
board the International Space Station in April, completed a six-hour
spacewalk on Sunday June 20th to install a new array of solar panels
designed to boost power supply on board the ISS. Thomas is with the European
Space Agency and Shane is with NASA. The two are veteran partners in
projects such as this. The installation marked their fourth spacewalk
together. The walk on June 20th was designed to complete the work the two
had begun during their walk on Wednesday, June 16, which was halted by
technical issues before they had a chance to complete the work.
(NASA, CNN, SPACE.COM)
**
NEW FCC RULES ADDRESS EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM
DON/ANCHOR: The nationwide emergency alert system in the US is in for some
changes as a result of some moves by the Federal Communications Commission.
Sel Embee KB3TZD picks up the story from here.
SEL: In the US, the FCC has adopted new rules to improve the country's
emergency alert system by creating a new class of alerts while also
providing ways to more efficiently report false emergency notifications.
The nationwide alert system uses TV, mobile phone and radio to get the word
out about disasters. The FCC's latest move comes in response to a false
notification in January of 2018 that sent out a message that Hawaii was
targeted by an incoming missile, indicating that [quote] "this is not a
drill." [endquote] The false alert spurred hearings and an examination of
steps that could be taken to prevent such a recurrence.
The agency's move comes a few weeks before the nationwide test of the
Emergency Alert System and Wireless Emergency Alerts to take place on August
11th. The FCC is also acting as hurricane and wildfire season have arrived
in the US, where pandemic precautions are still in place in varying degrees.
For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Sel Embee KB3TZD.
(FCC, LAW STREET MEDIA)
**
PETITION ASKS FOR FCC TO ADD FIFTH COMMISSIONER
DON/ANCHOR: A collection of more than 50 civil liberties groups, public
interest organizations and media outlets is asking for a fifth commissioner
to be added to the Federal Communications Commission to make it [quote] "a
fully functional agency." [endquote] The FCC presently has four, with one
seat vacant.
The letter, dated June 11th, asks President Joe Biden to move forward with a
nomination, allowing the FCC to tackle the issues before it regarding
communications access and other matters.
The FCC was created to be directed by five commissioners appointed by the
president and confirmed by the US Senate. Each commissioner serves for five
years, with one of the commissioners serving as the agency's chair.
There was no immediate response to the letter from either the White House or
the FCC.
(NATIONAL LAW REVIEW, FCC)
**
SILENT KEY: SUBHADEEP CHATTERJEE VU2CSB
DON/ANCHOR: A well-known ham in India who gave his all to public service
events and disaster response has become a Silent Key. Graham Kemp VK4BB
tells us about him and a net held by hams in South Asia to honor him.
GRAHAM: Hams in India are remembering a fellow amateur radio operator who
was always at the ready to assist in disaster communications, from the
devastating earthquake that rocked Nepal to the more recent Yaas Cyclone
this past May. One day after Subhadeep Chatterjee VU2CSB became a Silent Key
on the 20th of June, an international group of hams checking into the SAARC
Evening Net on 2 metres or via Echolink were able to share their memories of
him and express their condolences. Ambarish Nag Biswas VU2JFA, secretary of
the West Bengal Radio Club, said he was always part of the communications
team at the annual Ganga Sagar Mela pilgrimage.
He told Newsline later in a text message: [quote] "We have lost a diamond
from our necklace. We have no words to express ourselves." [endquote]
Subhadeep Chatterjee was 42.
For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Graham Kemp VK4BB.
(SAARC EVENING NET)
**
CHANGES MADE TO NETHERLANDS' RADIO LICENSE
DON/ANCHOR: Some sought-after changes have finally been made to the Novice
ham radio licence in the Netherlands. Ed Durrant DD5LP has that story.
ED: Two hard-won privileges—extra power and access to a wider range of
frequencies—now belong to holders of a Novice ham radio licence in the
Netherlands. These changes, and the abolition of age-based licence
restrictions, took effect on the 18th of June.
The Government Gazette recently published the changes to the so-called N-
registration and VERON, the largest of the Dutch amateur radio societies,
promptly posted the news. According to a translation of that post, Novice
operators may now use the full 40-metre band between 7 and 7.2 MHz and can
transmit at 100 watts PEP on frequencies below 30 MHz. They may use the 20-
metre band between 14 and 14.25 MHz and they have gained access to the full
10-metre band between 28 and 29.7 MHz. Their privileges on VHF and UHF have
not changed.
Another important change is the elimination of the minimum age for
candidates wishing to sit for the Novice or Full exam. Previously,
candidates had to be at least 12 and 14 years of age, respectively. The
International Amateur Radio Union praised the abolition of these
restrictions and on June 17th wrote on its website: [quote] "Today is an
important day regarding youth and amateur radio in The Netherlands. To gain
more young active radio hams, it is a must that this age group actually has
the ability to obtain an amateur radio license." [endquote]
For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Ed Durrant DD5LP.
(VERON, IARU)
**
POSTAL OFFICIALS SAY: HERE COMES THE SUN
DON/ANCHOR: With the help of the United States Postal Service, the sun is
finally enjoying its day in.....the sun. Jim Damron N8TMW tells us what's
happening.
JIM: We hams aren't the only ones keeping a close watch on the various
activities of the sun. It seems the US Postal Service has taken an intense
interest too, so much so that it is issuing a set of stamps bearing images
from NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory. The stamps feature 10 images
received at the observatory, including plasma blasts, solar flares, coronal
holes, coronal loops and those all-important sunspots.
NASA launched its Solar Dynamics Observatory in 2010 to collect solar data,
including details about the sun's magnetic field and activity on the sun's
surface.
On Friday, June 18th, the post office issued the stamps during a ceremony in
Greenbelt, Maryland.
Thomas Marshall, the postal service's general counsel and executive vice
president, issued a statement saying: "We hope these amazing stamps will
help generate the same sense of wonder and curiosity about our star that
inspired our ancestors and the scientists at NASA to want to better
understand the sun, space, and the myriad of possibilities that exist in our
solar system, in our universe and beyond."
Dean Pesnell, project scientist for the observatory, said the observatory
has given us [quote] "the ecology of the sun.... It's giving us the big
picture, one detail at a time."
That means that we hams, of course, can now celebrate Solar Cycle 25 one
stamp at a time, with each QSL card we send.
For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jim Damron N8TMW.
(CNN)
**
GET READY FOR VIRTUAL HAM EVENT IN FRIEDRICHSHAFEN
DON/ANCHOR: Just a reminder that even as hams in North America get ready for
Field Day, one of the world's largest amateur radio events, Ham Radio
Friedrichshafen, continues this year as a virtual event. The fair is taking
place from June 25th to June 27th with lectures in German and English. The
2-Dimensional virtual fairgrounds is based on the original one in Germany
and will feature exhibitors and special-interest groups who are able to
interact with visitors through video chat.
(HAM RADIO FRIEDRICHSHAFEN)
**
BREAK HERE: Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio
Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the K8QIK
repeater in Lancaster Ohio on Mondays at 8 p.m.
**
AUSTRALIAN AMATEUR RECEIVES PRESTIGIOUS MEDAL
DON/ANCHOR: A prestigious medal has been awarded to one amateur radio
operator in Australia whose name is already well-known to a group there
known as the Old Timers. Robert Broomhead VK3DN has the details.
ROBERT: Congratulations to Bill Roper VK3BR who received the Order of
Australia Medal in the Queen's Birthday Honours list. The award was given
for his service to amateur radio. Bill, who was recognised on June 14th, was
among 1,190 Australians honoured on the list.
Since the late 1990s, Bill has been the editor of Old Timers News, the Radio
Amateurs Old Timers Club of Australia's journal, published twice a year. He
is a life member and membership secretary of the club and a former president
and secretary. Bill also has a long history of service to the Wireless
Institute of Australia, serving as treasurer of the Victorian Division from
1962 to 1972 and federal office manager from 1989 to 1993.
Well done, Bill.
For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Robert Broomhead VK3DN.
(WIA)
**
FINDING RADIO WARMTH IN THE FROZEN ANTARCTIC
DON/ANCHOR: In the dead of winter at the South Pole, what can bring warmth
to the challenging lives of research scientists working there? Why radio, of
course. Jim Meachen ZL2BHF shares their story.
JIM: On the 60th anniversary of the Antarctic Treaty, declaring the frozen
continent devoted to peace and the study of science, the continent was
transformed – if only for a short while – by radio. On Midwinter's Day, the
21st of June, those working in the trio of British Antarctic Territory
Research Stations exchanged traditional gifts and then enjoyed the warmth of
the BBC Midwinter Broadcast on BBC World Service.
In a spot on the planet that has not seen the sun since the middle of May,
Midwinter's Day marks a turning point and the comforting waves of radio will
soon be followed by rays of sunshine once more. Jerry Gilliam, station
leader at the King Edward Point Research station in South Georgia, said the
radio and the celebrations have already brought some light into their lives.
He said: [quote] "We’ll get messages and photos from every station and
there’s a sense of a wider community and camaraderie with these people we’ll
never meet but have something in common with.ö [endquote]
For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Jim Meachen ZL2BHF.
(BRITISH ANTARCTIC SURVEY)
**
WORLD OF DX
In the world of DX, the Bouvet Island Three Y Zero J team, which recently
announced the cancellation of their 2023 DXpedition, has said they are
working closely with Nigel Jolly, K6NRJ, the skipper of the Braveheart,
which is being sold. This was the vessel that would have taken the team to
the remote island. In an announcement on DX-World.net, the team said they
are helping Nigel form a new plan that would allow him to continue managing
the vessel under its new ownership, keeping the Braveheart available for
future DXpeditions. The announcement said: [quote] "We are working out the
details of this plan and hope to have some very positive news very soon."
[endquote]
Elsewhere, be listening for a team of operators from the North Pole Contest
Group operating as W1AW/KL7 from Alaska between July 9th and 13th. There
will be four station locations, including KL7RA in Kenai, KL2R in
Fairbanks/Two Rivers, KL7AA in Anchorage and a fourth station most likely in
Homer. Be listening on various HF bands and all modes, including EME. Send
QSLs via W1AW, LoTW or ClubLog.
In France, Patrick, F4GFE and Franck, F4DTO, will operate as TM21EURO until
July 11th for a special event marking the UEFA European Football
Championship that is under way until then. There is an award available and
details are posted on QRZ.com. Send QSLs to F4GFE, direct or by the bureau.
There are other UEFA special event callsigns to listen for, including
4J21EURO, UE2FA and DL21EURO.
Mario, W4HBW, is active as VP5MA from Providenciales Island until October.
Listen for him on 20/15 meters using FT8. Send QSLs direct or via ClubLog's
OQRS.
(DX-WORLD.NET, OHIO PENN DX)
**
KICKER: RADIO RETAILER HAS A FIELD DAY ON FIELD DAY
DON/ANCHOR: For our final story, we look at one ham whose plans for Field
Day in his California community were a little different this year. Mike
Askins KE5CXP explains.
MIKE Call it good timing, call it sympatico—or call it just plain clever
marketing.
With hams from the Ramona Outback Amateur Radio Society conducting their
Field Day operations in an open lot next-door to him, California storekeeper
Peter Von Hagen chose that same weekend of June 26th and 27th to stage his
business' grand opening. It is, of course, a radio store and Peter himself
is a ham with the call sign WA6HXM. Naturally he's hoping that his inventory
of amateur, CB and commercial radios will enjoy a field day of their own
because of the extra exposure of hams outside calling QRZ throughout the
weekend.
According to the local newspaper, the Ramona Sentinel, between 30 and 40
radio operators will be on the air to help the club score big.
As a retailer and a member of the Ramona radio society, Peter knows the
importance of trying to score big. He and his business partner will be
trying to make some important contacts too—inside the store. Perhaps for
that weekend alone, the business might just want to consider a name-change
temporarily from being called All Day Radios. With Field Day going nonstop
for 27 hours, the scene will look a lot more like All Weekend Radios.
For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Mike Askins KE5CXP.
(RAMONA SENTINEL)
**
NEWSCAST CLOSE: With thanks to Amateur News Weekly; AMSAT; ARISS; the ARRL;
British Antarctic Survey; CQ Magazine; CNN; David Behar K7DB; DX-WOrld.Net;
FCC; NASA; Ohio Penn DX newsletter; QRZ.com; Radio Society of Great Britain;
Ramona Sentinel; SAARC Evening Net; Southgate Amateur Radio News;
shortwaveradio.de; Ted Randall's QSO Radio Show; WTWW Shortwave; VERON;
Wireless Institute of Australia; 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 Don Wilbanks AE5DW in Picayune, Mississippi 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 25-jun-2021 11:38 E. South America Standard Time
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