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Subj: Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2279 for Friday July 2, 2021
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Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2279 for Friday July 2, 2021
Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2279 with a release date of Friday July
2, 2021 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.
The following is a QST. There's news on 2x1 contest calls in Australia. It's
camp season for youngsters in the Americas — and radio helps reunite two
longtime friends in India. All this and more as Amateur Radio Newsline
Report Number 2279 comes your way right now.
***
BILLBOARD CART
**
AUSTRALIAN AUTHORITY EXPECTS TO APPROVE 2 X 1 CALLSIGNS
PAUL/ANCHOR: Our top story this week comes from Australia, where hams have
been waiting for official word on their request to get two-by-one contest
callsigns. John Williams VK2JJW has an update.
JOHN: The Australian Communications and Media Authority has advised amateurs
that it will be approving the use of 2x1 callsigns for contesting shortly.
The ACMA said in its June 29th e-bulletin that it is working out how the
callsigns will be issued. The new callsigns will be implemented by the
Australian Maritime College.
The 2x1 call signs are to be restricted to use specifically during local and
international contests and may only be issued to Advanced class licence
holders.
There were no further details on the timetable, nor on the specifics of the
implementation.
Meanwhile, the AMC has advised amateurs that while a callsign application
system is being finalised, no one is to apply for any 2x1 callsigns since
none are available yet and the correct application system is not yet live.
Any hams who have mistakenly applied for the 2x1 callsigns will have their
monies refunded.
For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm John Williams VK4JJW.
(ACMA, AMC)
PAUL/ANCHOR: In another move, the AMCA has said it would make no planned
changes to the way visiting amateurs operate in Australia under the Overseas
Amateurs Visiting Australia Class Licence. This licence allows short-term
operation without having to obtain a formal apparatus licence. The
arrangements will remain as is, for now, at least until further notice. The
ACMA is also proposing to outline how visiting amateurs will be expected to
comply with electromagnetic energy standards.
**
NEW OPPORTUNITIES NEXT YEAR FOR CUBESATS
PAUL/ANCHOR: The popular small satellites known as CubeSats will soon have
another avenue into the sky. Stephen Kinford N8WB brings us that story.
STEPHEN: CubeSats, CubeSats and more CubeSats: That's what is on the agenda
for Launcher, a space startup that hopes to carry stacks of CubeSats skyward
next year using a satellite platform known as Orbiter, which has a maximum
carrying capacity of 330 pounds or 150 kilograms. According to an
announcement made by the California-based company, Orbiter will be used
first for rideshare missions and will be launched on a SpaceX rocket. The
company said Orbiter has a contract with SpaceX to fly in October of 2022.
For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Stephen Kinford N8WB.
(SPACE.COM, LAUNCHER)
**
FIRST YOUTH ON THE AIR CAMP BEING HELD THIS MONTH
PAUL/ANCHOR: Remember the excitement over that first day at camp? Well, it's
about to happen for some young radio operators at the first camp of its kind
in North, Central and South America as we hear from Dave Parks WB8ODF.
DAVE: Camp is in session in just another week or so for young amateur radio
operators — but this isn't just any camp; it's the first of its kind for
young radio operators, ages 15 to 25, in North, Central and South America.
The Youth on the Air Camp in the Americas will take place from Sunday, July
11th to Friday, July 16th at the National Voice of America Museum of
Broadcasting near Cincinnati, Ohio.
The highlights of the week include a scheduled contact with an astronaut
aboard the International Space Station through the ARISS program and a
weeklong special event station W8Y which will be operating on HF and
satellite. Even if you're no longer a young radio operator or your QTH is
outside the US, you can still be part of some of the camp's activities: the
Youth on the Air YouTube channel will be streaming the ARISS contact live
and will also carry the opening and closing ceremonies live. The keynote
speaker for Sunday's opening ceremony is Tim Duffy K3LR. The camp's director
is Amateur Radio Newsline's own Neil Rapp WB9VPG.
The ARISS contact will take place either Wednesday, July 14th, or Thursday
July 15th. For additional details visit the website at YouthOnTheAir dot
org. We here at Newsline wish Neil and the campers all the best - great
times and great contacts!
For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Dave Parks WB8ODF.
(YOUTH ON THE AIR CAMP)
**
STEM AND SATELLITES FILL KIDS' CAMP AGENDA
PAUL/ANCHOR: For other youngsters, camp started early and just ended. It was
an adventure in radio and more, as we learn from Jack Parker W8ISH.
JACK: Camp is over for the dozen Ohio youngsters who spent a week exploring
STEM, ham radio and satellite communications and now they are left to dream
some amateur radio dreams. The students were guests at the fourth annual
STEM camp created by Josh Reichard (pronounced: Rike-Hard) K8KJR and David
Richardson K3KDR. The camp was held in partnership with the Mercer County
Amateur Radio Club and DX Engineering, along with the Mainline Education
Foundation and Valley Christian Schools, where Josh is a former assistant
superintendent. This was not a camp where the kids roasted marshmallows over
campfires; the daily fare consisted instead of shortwave listening, a
shortwave scavenger hunt, homebrew antennas and signals received from the
International Space Station's repeater. The campers got to watch and listen
as Tommy Gober N5DUX had a satellite QSO with Michigan YL Grace Papay
KE8RJU, a member of the Youth Amateurs Communications Ham Team, or YACHT.
At the end of the week, instead of bringing home the customary arts and
crafts projects or swimming trophies the youngsters left with their homebrew
Yagi’s, a pre-programmed HT that had the transmit function disabled, a SSB
shortwave receiver and a copy of Ward Silver's book "Ham Radio for
Dummies." Camp may have ended but for some the radio dreams are ongoing.
Liam Roberts KE8SDY, already had his ham license and callsign before he
became a camper. He told organizers [quote] "This is something I can do for
the rest of my life."
For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Jack Parker W8ISH.
(JOSH REICHARD K8KJR)
**
TAKING RADIO SCIENCE IN A NEW DIRECTION
PAUL/ANCHOR: In yet another camping activity, kids in North Carolina were
introduced to fox hunting, taking radio science in a whole new direction.
Kevin Trotman N5PRE brings us that story.
KEVIN: Just beyond the soccer fields in a western North Carolina park, there
were lessons to be learned by a group of youngsters ages 7 to 12. Equipped
with direction-finding antennas and radio receivers, they were on the hunt
for a radio transmitter emitting intermittent chirps somewhere in Jackson
Park. Members of the Blue Ridge Amateur Radio Club had hidden the
transmitter on the edge of a wooded area, a location far enough away to make
a point about the directional nature and navigational power of radio
signals.
The kids, who were part of the county's Exploration program, were getting a
taste of amateur radio direction-finding, or fox hunting, led by club
president Charles Webb KN4KWA. Some of the kids monitored the radios while
the others aimed the antenna.
It was a day of combining nature....with the nature of radio. It took nearly
an hour but thanks to good radio reception, the successful kids were not
outfoxed.
For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Kevin Trotman N5PRE.
(BLUE RIDGE NOW)
**
MAJOR CW CLUB ORGANIZING CANADIAN VERSION OF K3Y EVENT
PAUL/ANCHOR: The popular K3Y event held by the Straight Key Century Club is
getting a Canadian version. Randy Sly W4XJ tells us more.
RANDY: When the Straight Key Century Club holds its annual K3Y event, it
marks the founding in 2006 of the world's largest organization of straight-
key Morse code CW operators and enthusiasts. Now the SKCC will have
something else to celebrate: a Canadian version of the popular event is in
the works. The VE9SKCC event is being planned for this coming September and
it will be an opportunity to chase the SKCC's more than 1,000 Canadian
members.
According to a posting on the organization website, hams from the Northwest
Territories to Prince Edward Island can get in on the action. It's a good
opportunity for everyone to try for the SKCC's Canadian Maple Award, in
which a ham needs to work one SKCC member from any of the provinces and
territories listed on the SKCC website. The award is available in varying
levels, from Yellow Maple with 10 contacts to Gold Maple with 90 contacts
when operating QRP.
More detalis about the VE9SKCC event will be available on the website in the
weeks ahead. Visit skccgroup.com for updates.
For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Randy Sly W4XJ.
(SKCC)
**
BREAK HERE: Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio
Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the K5DUR
repeater in Dallas, Texas on Sundays at 7 p.m. local time.
**
AMSAT-SOUTH AFRICA HOSTING SPACE SYMPOSIUM
PAUL/ANCHOR: A global community of experts will weigh in at the space
symposium being hosted by AMSAT-South Africa this month. Jim Meachen ZL2BHF
has the details.
JIM M: An array of international speakers will be presenting lectures at the
2021 Space Symposium of AMSAT-South Africa on the 10th of July. The event,
which is called "Unlocking Amateur Space Technology," is being held
virtually on the BlueJeans platform.
Featured speakers will include Nathaniel Frissell, W2NAF of HamSCI and Burns
Fisher, WB1FJ of AMSAT-North America. Hannes Coetzee, ZS6BZP and Anton
Janovsky, ZR6AIC will bring attendees up to date on the AfriCube project's
progress.
The keynote address will be given by Val Munsami CEO of SANSA, the South
African National Space Agency.
Members of the South African Radio League and AMSAT-SA can attend for free,
as can qualifying students. For more details on how to register, visit
amsatsa.org.za.
For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Jim Meachen ZL2BHF.
(AMSAT-SA)
**
NETS OF NOTE: LADIES DIGITAL ROUNDTABLE
PAUL/ANCHOR: Our occasional series, Nets of Note, looks at ways hams get
together on the air formally, whether to ragchew, prepare for emergencies or
help one another with technical issues. This week we visit with the Ladies
Digital Roundtable and Sel Embee KB3TZD has that report.
SEL: The YLs who check into the Ladies Digital Roundtable say they're
grateful to have a safe spot they can get access to with a hot spot. The
women, who are married to amateur radio operators, first began meeting in
February of 2020 after realizing that many of the more technical nets
populated by men were a bit intimidating, even to YLs who'd had their
licenses for a long time. Lana N7WST conceived the net to encourage them to
get on the air and feel more comfortable.
Each Monday evening at 0100 UTC a dozen or more YLs meet in Southwest USA on
WIRES-X Room 43197 or Yaesu System Fusion Reflector 73102. YLs using DMR are
able to operate cross-mode to enter. Lana told Newsline that instead of
antennas and amps the women talk about their lives, their childhoods, their
families and a number of less technical topics. She said [quote] "We speak
about a chosen weekly topic and whatever else is on our minds or going on in
our lives." [endquote] She said that all the while, the women are sharpening
their operating skills too. Most of the women are in the southwestern United
States but she said some regulars have been checking in from New York,
Virginia, Indiana — and at least one DX member in the Philippines.
Of course there have been some off-the-air benefits as well: Many of the
local members who live in Arizona have since gone on camping trips together
near the Grand Canyon and stay in touch in between nets through the
roundtable's Facebook page.
For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Sel Embee KB3TZD.
**
FCC UPHOLDS .8M PENALTY OVER DRONES
PAUL/ANCHOR: The FCC has denied a request to reconsider the .8-million
fine levied against the seller of a drone TV transmitter model found to
operate near amateur radio frequencies as well as within bands used for the
nation's air-traffic control system.
The enforcement against HobbyKing was initiated by a report to the agency
from the ARRL in 2017, based on findings by the league's Electromagnetic
Compatibility Committee. The ARRL told the agency HobbyKing was selling a
product that was [quote] "blatantly illegal at multiple levels." [endquote]
According to the complaint, the transmitters were shown to operate near the
1.3 GHz amateur band and were capable of transmitting on frequencies used to
ensure flight navigation and safety. According to the ARRL website, the FCC
also found that a number of the devices' power levels were excessive.
The fine upholds the amount set in a June 2018 Notice of Apparent Liability.
The agency noted that it found 65 models of the devices being sold without
the mandatory certification from the FCC. According to the ARRL website,
HobbyKing has said it no longer markets those 65 models. An FCC statement
said: [quote] "HobbyKing has a continuing obligation to market only radio
frequency equipment that is properly authorized. We therefore remind
HobbyKing that continuing to market noncompliant radio frequency devices
could result in further significant forfeitures.ö [endquote]
(ARRL, FCC)
**
WORLD OF DX
In the world of DX, Alex, DD5ZZ, will be on the air as OA7/DD5ZZ from Peru
between July 30th and September 17th. Be listening on HF between 40m and
10m, where he will be using SSB and FT8/FT4, maybe some CW. He is
considering participating in the WAE CW/SSB and WW Digi DX contests later
this summer, possibly using the OA7/5P6G. Send QSLs to DD5ZZ by ClubLog's
OQRS or LoTW.
In Canada, listen for Bill, VE3ES, who is on the air as VE3VACCINE in
Ontario, in the hopes he can encourage people to get vaccinated against
COVID-19. This special event station will be on the air until July 15th.
Listen for him 30/20/10/6 meters using SSB and FT8/FT4. Send QSLs to VE3ES.
Listen for Gerry, whose callsigns include G3WIP and VK0GB, among others. He
has just received the callsign ZD7GB for his activation from the main
village
of Jamestown on St. Helena Island. He is working there as a doctor through
September 6th and will be on the air during his spare time, mostly on 40
through 10 meters using SSB and FT8/FT4. QSL details were not available at
press time.
(OHIO PENN DX)
**
KICKER: HAM RADIO: THAT'S WHAT FRIENDS ARE FOR
PAUL/ANCHOR: Our final story for this week is about the enduring friendship
of two men whose lives went in different directions more than 40 years ago.
Their long search for one another ended recently, thanks to amateur radio.
Graham Kemp VK4BB tells us about them.
GRAHAM: It's well-known that in some parts of India, missing family members
are often reunited with their loved ones back home through the efforts of
the West Bengal Radio Club. Recently, however, the club helped a man who
wasn't really lost in quite the same way, but had gone missing from the life
of a Kolkata phyisician who had come to treasure his friendship more than
four decades earlier. Both men became doctors and are now in their 80s. They
had been colleagues as young physicians at a health center in Mathabhanga, a
city in West Bengal. Dr. B. Das had been searching for years for his
colleague Nityananda (Nit-YON-ONDA) Panda who is from Odisha. He had even
visited Odisha a few times to look for him. With no success in sight and
with her husband now in frail health, his wife approached the club and told
the secretary Ambarish Nag Biswas VU2JFA about the friendship. She said the
last time her husband saw his friend was in 1977. That year, Nityanda had
handed his responsibilities to him at the hospital before departing for
Odisha.
The club reached out to Dushmanta (DOOSH-MON-TUH) Kumar Das VU2DKD, an
amateur radio operator based in Odisha. With the help of an old photograph
of Dr. Panda, he was able to track him down.
Ambarish Nag Biswas told the local Millennium Post that the two friends
immediately got down to the business of catching up on more than 40 years of
friendship.
For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Graham Kemp VK4BB. And that's what friends
are for.
(MILLENNIUM POST)
**
NEWSCAST CLOSE: With thanks to Amateur News Weekly; AMSAT; ARISS; the ARRL;
the Australian Communications and Media Authority; the Australian Maritime
College; CQ Magazine; CNN; David Behar K7DB; DX-WOrld.Net; Josh Reichard
K8KJR; Millennium Post; Ohio Penn DX newsletter; QRZ.com; Southgate Amateur
Radio News; shortwaveradio.de; SPACE.COM; Straight Key Century Club; Ted
Randall's QSO Radio Show; WTWW Shortwave; 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 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
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------+
BBS: PY2BIL - Timed 02-jul-2021 07:44 E. South America Standard Time
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