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Subj: Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2284 for Friday August 6, 2021
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Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2284 for Friday August 6, 2021
Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2284 with a release date of Friday
August 6, 2021 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.
The following is a QST. Hams step up to help as monsoons ravage part of
western India. The developer of well-known CW training software becomes a
Silent Key — and more callsign confusion in the former Falkland Islands
Dependencies. All this and more as Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2284
comes your way right now.
***
BILLBOARD CART
**
HAMS STEP IN AS FLOODING SWEEPS THROUGH WESTERN INDIA
NEIL/ANCHOR: Our top story this week shines a light on the community service
work of hams in western India who are helping others deal with the
widespread destruction from recent monsoons. Graham Kemp VK4BB picks up the
story from here.
GRAHAM: As floods from the recent monsoon in the western Indian state of
Maharashtra swept through villages, raising the death toll to nearly 200,
amateur radio operators traded their radios for relief kits and dispersed
through the villages in the Satara District to distribute help. The flooding
late last month, which resulted in landslides and water levels surging to
heights of 20 feet in some areas, prompted officials to undertake the
state's largest flood evacuation in recent decades.
The Satara Institute of Hams handed over more than 100 kits containing basic
groceries, blankets, water and medicine, according to postings on social
media. Hams assisting in the assembly and distribution of the kits included
Niranjan Supekar VU3GBX, Shantanu Karande VU3GBZ and Rohit Bhosale
VU2MIB/W2MIB. Rohit told Newsline in an email that the ham radio team also
helped establish communications between people in the affected area and
officials in the local District Administration.
Writing on their Facebook page, the hams acknowledged the generosity of the
action's benefactors. They wrote: [quote] "Thank you donors. This wouldn't
have been possible without your support." [endquote]
For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Graham Kemp VK4BB.
(ROHIT BHOSALE VU2MIB/W2MIB, FACEBOOK, SATARA.COM)
**
WSPR REFINEMENTS CONTINUE IN SEARCH FOR MISSING AIRLINER
NEIL/ANCHOR: Weak Signal Propagation Reporting remains a key source of hope
in the search for the wreckage of a missing airliner. John Williams VK4JJW
has an update.
JOHN: Weak Signal Propagation Reporting, or WSPR, is undergoing some
refinements to help in the search for Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, which
crashed more than seven years ago in the Indian Ocean while enroute to
Beijing. The low-power digital communication protocol, used by radio
amateurs to test propagation, is now being employed by aerospace engineer
Richard Godfrey in conjunction with a system he developed known as Global
Detection and Tracking of Aircraft Anywhere Anytime, or GDTAAA.
There will be some preliminary tests in conjunction with Qantas airliner
data before a different blind test is conducted later this year using the
Malaysia Airlines data. The goal is to see whether tracking with help from
the GDTAAA system can be more successful this time around. According to an
article in AirlineRatings.com, the tests will take place in October and
November with an eye toward ultimately finding the exact crash location. Two
separate searches for wreckage after the 2014 crash came up empty, although
more than 30 pieces of debris washed up in various places.
For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm John Williams VK4JJW.
(AIRLINERATINGS.COM)
**
FCC APPROVES FM AS OPTION FOR CITIZENS BAND
NEIL/ANCHOR: The US Federal Communications Commission has approved the use
of FM as an option for citizens band operators on the 11-metre band's 40
channels. The FCC adopted the change to Part 95 of its rules on August 3rd.
The agency released a statement saying it believed manufacturers' addition
of FM to their radios would likely improve operators' experience. The FCC
said [quote] "continuing to mandate AM capability while permitting dual
modulation will provide benefits to CB radio users who will have an
additional modulation option, while maintaining the basic character of the
service." [endquote]
The FCC authorizes citizens band to operate on 40 channels between 26.965
MHz and 27.405 MHz.
Cobra Electronics, a leading manufacturer of citizens band equipment, had
petitioned the FCC for the rule change.
(FCC.GOV)
**
SILENT KEY: GEORGE BOORER ZL3PN, ACTIVE IN SEARCH AND RESCUE
NEIL/ANCHOR: A ham devoted to search and rescue work in his New Zealand
community has become a Silent Key. Robert Broomhead VK3DN gives us the
details.
ROBERT: A lifelong New Zealand ham whose name was among the many inscribed
on a microchip aboard NASA's Mars rover in 2012 has become a Silent Key.
George Boorer ZL3PN died on July 4th. He was a life member of the South
Canterbury Amateur Radio Club, which he had served as president. He had also
been an Amateur Radio Emergency Communications section leader and repeater
trustee. According to his obituary in the Timaru Herald, the retired
electrician was a Morse Code enthusiast and was also an active participant
in search and rescue missions. A ham since the age of 16, he marked the
occasion of his 60 years in amateur radio with the special event callsign
ZL60PN in 2010.
George Boorer was 87.
For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Robert Broomhead VK3DN.
(QRZ, TIMARU HERALD)
**
SILENT KEY: CW TRAINING DEVELOPER RAY BURLINGAME-GOFF G4FON
NEIL/ANCHOR: A well-known amateur in the world of CW has become a Silent
Key. Jeremy Boot G4NJH tells us about him.
JEREMY: The developer of a popular CW trainer used around the world has
become a Silent Key. Ray Burlingame-Goff G4FON was the author of a computer-
based trainer best known by his home callsign. He also held the US call sign
N4FON and the German call sign DG4FON. Ray's software, which uses the Koch
method, is credited with helping train thousands of amateurs to copy and
send Morse Code. Ray's website g4fon.net notes that he was first licensed in
1973 as G8HMH, a Class B licence with VHF privileges. By 1976 he'd become
proficient in Morse Code and in November of that year passed the code test
that enabled him to upgrade to a Class A license and receive a new callsign.
He moved to the United States briefly in the 1980s, using the callsign
G4FON/W9 in Chicago and G4FON/W1 in Boston. Much later he gained his US and
German callsigns. According to his website, Ray's other amateur radio
interests included contesting and homebrewing.
In November of 2006, Ray was nominated to join the prestigious First Class
CW Operator's Club, becoming member number 1874.
For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Jeremy Boot G4NJH.
(G4FON.NET, FISTS)
**
SILENT KEY: WOLF HARRANTH OE1WHC, ARCHIVE FOUNDER
NEIL/ANCHOR: In Austria, a longtime radio amateur and founder of a notable
archive has become a Silent Key. Ed Durrant DD5LP has those details.
ED: An Austrian journalist and children's book author who was also an avid
radio amateur has become a Silent Key. Wolf Harranth, OE1WHC, who founded
the DokuFunk Archive in Vienna, died on Tuesday August 3rd following a short
illness. The archive, which began as a QSL card collection, contains more
than 9 million artifacts relating to radio communications, history and
amateur radio. The nonprofit organisation has been supported by individuals,
broadcasters and radio associations for more than three decades. Wolf was
perhaps best known among shortwave listeners of Radio Österreich
International where he was a popular presenter.
Tom Kamp DF5JL wrote on the IARU Region 1 website: "With Wolf, OE1WHC, it's
not only the DX scene that has lost one of its greats." Wolf would have been
80 on August 19th.
For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Ed Durrant DD5LP
(IARU REGION 1, DokuFunk Archive)
**
QSO TODAY VIRTUAL EXPO RETURNS
NEIL/ANCHOR: Get ready for the QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo. It's back after
retooling its platform and as Stephen Kinford N8WB tells us, organizers are
optimistic.
STEPHEN: The QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo is returning on the 14th and 15th of
August and will be based on the original platform used for the successful
expo held in August of 2020. Organizer Eric Guth 4Z1UG, host of the QSO
Today podcast, said the move back to a single-platform experience will avoid
the widespread problems reported previously when the conference attempted to
integrate two virtual convention platforms provided by different vendors.
Eric said the platform, known as vFairs, has implemented such upgrades as a
video meeting lounge, and said he anticipates what he is calling a "flawless
user experience." He said he hopes to exceed the expectations of the more
than 14,000 attendees at the live online event. He said a preview of the
platform will be made available from 8 a.m. Pacific Time on August 1st
through 5 p.m. Pacific Time on August 3rd so that prospective attendees can
experience the environment without cost. The URL for the preview is in the
printed script of this week's Newsline report at arnewsline.org
[FOR PRINT, DO NOT READ: https://qsotest.vfairs.com ]
Eric said the platform will have a lobby, auditorium, exhibit hall and
lounges as well as a variety of speaker presentations.
For ticket information or to register, visit qsotodayhamexpo.com
For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Stephen Kinford N8WB.
**
BREAK HERE: Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio
Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world including the K7MMA
repeater in Spokane, Washington on Fridays at 5 p.m. Pacific Time.
**
VP4 PREFIX REPORTEDLY CONSIDERED FOR FORMER FALKLANDS DEPENDENCIES
NEIL/ANCHOR: The dilemma over assigning prefixes to amateurs operating from
certain locations near the Falklands Islands continues. We have an update
from Ed Durrant DD5LP.
ED: The Falklands government, which no longer issue new VP8 licences for
amateur operation from the former Falkland Islands Dependencies, including
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, is reportedly favouring the
assignment there of the VP4 prefix formerly used in Trinidad and Tobago.
According to various reports, the prefix would be used in the remote regions
by subdividing the suffix with VP4 Axx for South Georgia and South Sandwich
and VP4 Bxx for British Antarctic Territories. The VP8 prefix ceased to be
used in those regions recently as a result of new communications legislation
in the Falklands.
VP8 licences were formerly used by DXpeditioners wishing to activate South
Georgia and the South Sandwich islands as well as the Antarctic peninsula,
South Orkneys and South Shetlands. There has been no public consultation
sought by the Falkland Islands Communications Regulator on this issue. The
British Antarctic Territories, South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands
cannot issue their own licences or assign call signs. Ofcom in the UK has
left the option open for those locales to ask the Falkland Islands to
administer licensing and call signs on their behalf as had been the case up
until early 2020.
The report, which appeared on several news websites, is credited to
DXpeditioner Alan Cheshire, VK6CQ/VP8PJ.
For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Ed Durrant DD5LP.
(SOUTHGATE, OHIO PENN DX)
**
NAVAJO CODE TALKER EVENT MOVES TO OPERATORS' QTHS
NEIL/ANCHOR: The annual Navajo Code Talker special event is going forward in
spite of a COVID-19 closure of their usual site, the Navajo Nation itself.
Ralph Squillace, KK6ITB has those details.
RALPH: Although the Navajo Nation in Arizona remains closed as a result of
COVID-19 precautions, the annual special event station honoring the Navajo
Code Talkers of World War II will be on the air as scheduled between the
10th and 14th of August. This is the 17th annual celebration of the Native
American members of the military who thwarted Japanese interception of their
messages by using their language in their coded transmissions in the South
Pacific.
THe special event station N7C will operate instead from the home QTHs of
Ray, W7USA, Bob, K7BHM, John, W5PDW, and Herb, N7HG. Herb's father. John
Goodluck, was among the original 29 Code Talkers in the United States Marine
Corps who developed the code. John Goodluck died in 2000 at the age of 76.
Be listening for N7C on 40, 20 and 17 metres. For additional details and QSL
information, visit the station's page on QRZ.COM.
For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Ralph Squillace KK6ITB.
**
WORLD OF DX
In the world of DX, the on-again off-again Bouvet Island DXpedition 3Y0J
[Three Y Zero J] appears enroute to being on again. DXpedition co-leader
Paul Ewing, N6PSE, said the team is negotiating a new charter for the 12
operators to be transported to the rare DX location in the South Atlantic.
The DXpedition's plans were halted in June after Nigel Jolly, K6NRJ, captain
of the Braveheart, cancelled the contract with the DXpedition in preparation
for his sale of the vessel. The team hopes to renew its fundraising efforts
soon to reboot the DXpedition.
Philippe, EA4NF, is operating as EA8/EA4NF from the Canary Islands until the
14th of August. This is a satellite DXpedition to activate Grid Squares
IL27, IL28, and IL38 on both the FM and Linear satellites. QSL via LoTW.
During International Lighthouse/Lightship Weekend, which is taking place on
August 21st and 22nd, be listening for Ramesh, VU2LU, Sridhar, VU3GLS,
Madhu, VU3NPI and others operating as AT8KLH from the Kapu Light House. Send
QSLs to VU2JHM.
Giovanni, IZ2DPX, will be active as CT8/IZ2DPX from three locations in the
Azores between August 14th and 29th. Be listening for him on the HF bands
where he will be using SSB and the digital modes. Send QSLs to IK2DUW via
ClubLog.
Bruce, ZL1AAO, will be in the South Cook Islands, activating Atiu Island
until the 9th of August and then Rarotonga Island until the 19th of August.
He will be using the callsign E51AAO and operating holiday style mainly on
40 and 20 meters SSB. Send QSLs to ZL1AAO direct or by the Bureau.
(OHIO PENN DX)
**
KICKER: TWO FOR THE ROAD
NEIL/ANCHOR: So you think you know your kilocycles and your megacycles? Well
meet a pair of hams defining the meaning of "megacycle," with the emphasis
on the cycles which, in this case, have handlebars, pedals and an important
purpose. Here's Jeremy Boot G4NJH with our final story of the week.
JEREMY: Perhaps the journey of this father-daughter duo should be called
"the mega-metre" - they are on a one thousand six hundred forty kilometre
bicycle and radio route in the UK from Land’s End to the Cape Wrath
Lighthouse and then on to John O’Groats. With bicycles and radios on hand,
this duo will be getting on the air often during their 28-day trip using
primarily 145 and 430 MHz FM but also operating HF QRP and WSPR and APRS.
Kev G0PEK and his 16-year-old daughter Lauren 2E0HLR will be operating with
their home callsigns except for when they camp at night when they will be
calling as MX0KRO, the callsign of the Kent Active Radio Amateurs group. The
two are making the DX-pedition-style journey to raise money for the RNLI,
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution, which helps save lives of mariners
in UK and the Republic of Ireland, the Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man.
The two share an enthusiasm for the outdoors but also believe charitable
causes can benefit from their adventures.
On the project’s GoFundMe page, Kev writes that the fund target is £5000,
roughly the equivalent of ,000 US. He writes: [quote] "The project will
not just raise funds for the RNLI but will also raise awareness of amateur
radio as a scientific hobby that can be linked to other interests for people
of all ages." [end quote]
For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Jeremy Boot G4NJH.
(SOUTHGATE, GOFUNDME, KENT ACTIVE RADIO AMATEURS)
**
NEWSCAST CLOSE: With thanks to Airlineratings.com; Amateur News Weekly; the
ARRL; CQ Magazine; David Behar K7DB; FCC.Gov; FISTS; G4FON.NET;
GoFundMe.com; Kent Active Radio Amateurs; QRZ.com; QSO Today; Rohit Bhosale
VU2MIB; Satara Hams; Southgate Amateur Radio News; shortwaveradio.de; Ted
Randall's QSO Radio Show; Timaru Herald; 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.
For now, with Caryn Eve Murray KD2GUT at the news desk in New York, and our
news team worldwide, I'm Neil Rapp WB9VPG in Union, Kentucky 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 06-ago-2021 07:50 E. South America Standard Time
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