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Subj: Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2287 for Friday August 27, 20
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Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2287 for Friday August 27, 2021
Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2287 with a release date of Friday
August 27, 2021 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.
The following is a QST. A dispute over a medical device and suspected RFI.
NASA plans a radio telescope on the moon -- and in New York, a special event
station marks the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. All this and more as
Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2287 comes your way right now.
***
BILLBOARD CART
**
DISPUTE OVER SUSPECTED RFI AND INSULIN PUMP
PAUL/ANCHOR: Our top story this week involves suspected RF interference that
appears to be affecting a medical device. But does this point to ham radio?
Ralph Squillace KK6ITB explores that question.
RALPH: A ham radio operator in Florida is off the air following a challenge
by a neighbor in his retirement community that his amateur radio station is
causing life-threatening interference to the wireless communications in her
insulin pump. According to a report by WFTV Channel 9 Orlando, an
independent consultant hired by the residential community known as On Top of
the World near Ocala, Florida, believes that RF from the ham station "could
have produced" interference with the pump's delivery of measured insulin
doses. WFTV reported that the woman, Michelle Smith, is a Type 1 diabetic
who claims that David Birge WB9UYK, had put her health at risk by operating
his station. David is now off the air in compliance with the community
board's order to him. It remains unclear, however, whether the consultant's
findings definitively proved that RFI was a factor. In 2019, the US Food and
Drug Administration issued an alert that some models of insulin pumps with
unencrypted wireless connectivity had cybersecurity flaws that left them
vulnerable to hacking that could modify the settings. Eric Koester, KA0YWN,
an electrical design engineer in Minnesota, who is not involved in the
Florida dispute, told Newsline in an email that he has been familiar with RF
emissions testing and RF immunity testing since 1995. He said that the more
subtle kind of changes Michelle Smith reported seeing in her insulin pump
are inconsistent with the larger-scale reactions he has seen documented in
devices compromised by RF interference.
Meanwhile, the WFTV report noted that the Florida community's board of
directors has already modified its regulations on antennas in a way that
would permit operations by licensed radio amateurs living there.
For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Ralph Squillace KK6ITB.
(WFTV, FDA, ERIC KOESTER KA0YWN)
**
NASA MAKING PLANS FOR A 'LUNAR ARECIBO' DISH
PAUL/ANCHOR: Radio astronomers' beloved Arecibo dish is no more — at least
not in Puerto Rico. But how about a replacement that's....not of this earth?
Kent Peterson KC0GDY explains.
KENT: How do you top Arecibo, the iconic radio telescope that collapsed last
December, leading to its dismantling?
You build one similar to it—and you do it on the far side of the moon.
The Lunar Crater Radio Telescope is just a concept for now but in theory its
massive dish would be capable of detecting those radio waves that eluded
even the best of the telescopes here on earth. Better yet, that reception
wouldn't be competing against the atmospheric interference that challenge
earth-based telescopes. The lunar telescope would be able to more clearly
detect radio waves above 10 metres, which were inaccessible to the Arecibo
dish.
Joseph Lazio, one of the NASA radio astronomers on the lunar radio telescope
project, was quoted on the Business Insider website as saying [quote] "With
a sufficiently large radio telescope off Earth, we could track the processes
that would have led to the formation of the first stars, maybe even find
clues to the nature of dark matter." He made his remarks in a press release
about the project, which is still considered very preliminary. This past
spring, NASA awarded 00,000 for further research and development on the
telescope, which will be designed to rest inside a lunar crater on the far
side of the moon.
For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Kent Peterson KC0DGY.
(BUSINESS INSIDER, EARTH SKY)
**
AMSAT SPACE SYMPOSIUM ACCEPTING REGISTRATIONS
PAUL/ANCHOR: AMSAT's 39th space symposium and annual general meeting is now
accepting registrations for the event, which is taking place Friday October
29th through Sunday October 31st in Bloomington, Minnesota. Students are
also invited to register. AMSAT is issuing a call for papers by presenters.
Last year's event was held virtually but this year's symposium is to take
place at the Crowne Plaza hotel at Minneapolis International Airport.
See the link to the registration website in the printed version of this
newscast at arnewsline.org
https://launch.amsat.org/Events
To submit a paper, see details that are in this week's newscast script.
https://www.amsat.org/2021-amsat-symposium-proceedings-call-for-papers
(AMSAT)
**
SPAIN PREPARES FOR TWIN SATELLITE LAUNCHES
PAUL/ANCHOR: Meanwhile, in Spain, hams await the scheduled launch next month
of two AMSAT-EA Genesis satellites. John Williams VK4JJW brings us up to
date.
JOHN: The satellites are called GENESIS-L and GENESIS-N and their planned
launch on September 2nd has been eagerly anticipated by Spain's national
amateur radio society, the URE. The launch is to take place at California's
Vandenberg Air Force Base, where the two digital repeating satellites will
take to the sky along with a number of other satellites. The GENESIS
satellites, built by students from the European University, wlil be using
Amplitude Shift Keying and CW.
Additional details, and a list of the satellites' working frequencies, can
be found on the URE website which is listed in the script of this week's
newscast at arnewsline.org
https://www.ure.es/satelites-genesis-de-amsat-ea-2/
For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm John Williams VK4JJW.
(URE, SOUTHGATE)
**
SWEEPING ANTENNA ARRAY DELIVERS GALAXIES IN HIGH-DEFINITION
PAUL/ANCHOR: Back here on earth, many of us know the benefits of high-
definition, especially when it comes to video images. But now scientists in
the UK are making use of some benefits of high-definition imagery thanks to
a huge antenna array in Europe. Jeremy Boot G4NJH has those details.
JEREMY: Scientists are crediting 70,000 one-metre-high antennas with helping
unveil new insights into how our solar system came into being by providing
as-yet unattainable visual details. The array is letting scientists gather
ultra-high-definition imagery to get a clearer picture of various galaxies
as they give birth to planets and suns. The radio imagery they are using is
the result of a linked international network of telescopes known as LOFAR,
for Low Frequency Array. Although most of the antennas are in nine nations
throughout Europe, the majority are in The Netherlands.
According to Neal Jackson of the University of Manchester, the imagery is
permitting researchers to see more clearly what happens inside galaxies when
planets and suns are being created. He told the BBC, "These high-resolution
images allow us to zoom in to see what's really going on when supermassive
black holes launch these jets of material."
The project leader Leah Morabito of Durham University in the UK, said
scientists believe images such as these are giving greater insight into the
creation of our own solar system too. According to the BBC, for the array to
work, the team had to find a way to gather and digitise signals received by
each antenna. The signals were then sent to a central processor for
combination with all the other images being gathered by the rest of the
array.
Leah Morabito told the BBC that the team plans to scan numerous galaxies in
the years ahead, adding, "I think we're definitely in for some surprises.φ
For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Jeremy Boot G4NJH.
(BBC)
**
SPECIAL NYC EVENT MARKS 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF 9/11
PAUL/ANCHOR: Many of the hams who will be on the air on September 11th
calling QRZ from New York City were in a very different place 20 years ago.
Some of them hurried to the World Trade Center in Manhattan as first-
responders to the terror strikes that day. They were answering a call
then—and this year they are the ones calling to mark the painful
anniversary. ?
The first-responders and their friends and supporters are hams in the
Northeast Wireless Radio Club NW2C and the Great South Bay Amateur Radio
Club W2GSB. They will be on the air together from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern
Time operating special event station W2T, using CW, SSB and the digital
modes. Hams may also contact them via satellite. In the words of their
station, Whiskey Two Tango, "We Will Never Forget." Mark it on your
calendar.
(MIKE SARTORETTI, KC2SYF)
**
IN NEW ZEALAND, BACKYARDS GO BACK ON THE AIR
PAUL/ANCHOR: What do SOTA activators do when the summits are off limits? In
New Zealand, the answer is right there in their backyards. We hear more from
Graham Kemp VK4BB.
GRAHAM: Nothing - not even a solar flare or even a pandemic - could stop the
Backyards on the Air activation from going ahead recently in New Zealand.
The pandemic, in fact, was actually the inspiration for the event on Sunday,
August 22nd. It was born in the spring of 2020 as lockdown enveloped the
nation. A group of SOTA activators looked for new options because their
beloved summits had been declared off limits.
Organiser Mark Sullivan ZL3AB said this recent activation found participants
once again in their backyards and after two hours of calling QRZr, some
boasted contacts with the US and VK, as well as around New Zealand. Mark
described his own activation as a bit less successful, owing to a pole that
collapsed and someone's child next-door playing with an incredibly loud toy
lawn mower.
Mark did encourage and reward experimentation, however. In his invitation to
participants, he wrote: "It should go without saying that double points will
be awarded to anyone who operates using.....a Delta loop."
For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Graham Kemp VK4BB.
(MARK SULLIVAN ZL3AB)
**
BREAK HERE: Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio
Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world including the K4LYL
repeater in Bedford, Virginia on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10 a.m. and 10
p.m. local time.
**
WEST BENGAL HAMS MARK 100 YEARS OF RADIO
PAUL/ANCHOR: This year has brought double the celebration for hams in India.
Jason Daniels VK2LAW tells us there's still time to attend some of the
programs — virtually.
JASON: Indian amateurs aren't just marking 100 years of ham radio; they're
also celebrating 75 years of their nation's independence. A full weekend of
celebration was hosted by the West Bengal Radio Club on August 14th and
15th, highlighted by an online tech talk with noted home brewer Ashhar
Farhan VU2ESE, creator of the Bitx and micro BITX open source transceivers.
The programme, hosted by Saborni Nag Biswas, VU2JFC, was followed by a
webinar on the first century of Indian amateur radio led by S. Ram Mohan,
VU2MYH, and Sriramamurthy Suri VU2MY, both of the National Institute of
Amateur Radio and S. Satyapal VU2FI, of the Indian Institute of Hams.
Both events were livestreamed. If you were unable to attend virtually while
the programmes were taking place, they are available for viewing on YouTube.
The links appear in the script of this week's newscast at arnewsline.org
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekQe98ccurM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQpy1t-xLoE
For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jason Daniels VK2LAW.
(WEST BENGAL RADIO CLUB)
**
ACMA SEEKS INPUT ON 2x1 CALLSIGNS
PAUL/ANCHOR: Australian officials are looking for hams' input on their
review of 2x1 callsigns. Robert Broomhead VK3DN has more.
ROBERT: The Australian Communications and Media Authority is asking hams to
share their thoughts on allocation arrangements for 2x1 callsigns. The
callsign allocations are to be handled by the Australian Maritime College,
which already manages allocations for amateur beacons, repeaters, special
event callsigns and normal callsigns. The ACMA have posted a survey and are
interested in hearing hams' thoughts on the issue and use of the two-by-one
callsigns. The authority wants to know, for instance, whether the callsigns
should be made available only to clubs and Advanced level amateurs or
whether any level of licence can have access.
Hams have until the 31st of August to complete the short five-question
survey. According to the authority, hams will be able to use the 2x1
callsigns without having to get a new licence or make changes to their
existing licence.
For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Robert Broomhead VK3DN.
(ACMA)
**
ACMA REVIEWS ARRANGEMENTS FOR AMATEUR REPEATERS, ASSIGNED BEACONS
PAUL/ANCHOR: The authority is also reviewing its plans for assigned amateur
beacon and repeater stations. More details on that from Graham Kemp VK4BB.
GRAHAM: The Australian Communications and Media Authority is in the middle
of sorting through more than 800 responses to its consultation on a review
of non-assigned amateur and outpost licensing arrangements. The ACMA's
review is also taking a look at accreditation for repeater and amateur
beacon assignments.
The ACMA has been trying to implement a licensing procedure that will
minimise the burdens of regulation and allow benefits for hams to continue
at an affordable price.
According to the consultation paper outlining the proposed changes earlier
this year, three options are under consideration. In the first, the ACMA
would not change apparatus licensing arrangements and conditions. In the
second, the authority would simplify existing licensing arrangements and
licence conditions. In the third, which is the preferred option for the
AMCA, operation of non-assigned amateur stations would be authorised for
holders of Foundation, Standard and Advanced level qualifications through a
class licence rather than an apparatus licence. This would involve creation
of an amateur class licence authorising amateur station operation by those
holding Foundation, Standard or Advanced level qualifications and would
include individuals visiting Australia and having overseas equivalent
qualifications or licences.
Meanwhile, operation of assigned amateur beacon and repeater stations would
remain authorised under apparatus licensing arrangements.
In a recent advisory, the ACMA has indicated it will provide updates via its
e-bulletin.
For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Graham Kemp VK4BB.
(ACMA)
**'
WORLD OF DX
The Trinidad and Tobago Amateur Radio Society is marking the 59th
anniversary of the nation's independence with a special event station, using
callsign 9Y59IND through Spetember 12th. Listen on HF, the digital modes, 2
meters, EME, DMR, D-STAR and Yaesu Fusion. QSLs will be via Logbook of the
World only.
Masa, JA0RQV, is operating as A35JP from Tonga, where he will be until
October 31st. Be listening on 80 through 6 meters where he is using CW, SSB
and FT8. QSL via LoTW and ClubLog, or direct with in US currency or by
the bureau using his home callsign.
Members of the Emirates Amateur Radio Society are using the special event
callsign A60EXPO between September 1st
and October 1st to promote World Expo 2020 in Dubai. The expo itself runs
from October 31st until March 31st of next year. Send QSLs via EA7FTR.
Be listening for Pascual, EA5WO, who will be using the special event
callsign AN5WAR from Valencia, Spain, between September 1st and the 30th.
Pascual is commemorating the 82nd anniversary of the start of the Second
World War. He will be operating on various HF bands. QSL via LoTW or eQSL.
(OHIO PENN DX)
**
KICKER: A SPARK GLOWS BRIGHTLY AT MUSEUM IN FINLAND
PAUL/ANCHOR: In our final story we visit a museum in Finland where ham radio
operators are delivering their messages to hams and non-hams alike, via a
display of their homebrew equipment. Ed Durrant DD5LP takes us there.
ED: The exhibit is called "It Started with a Spark," and it honours 100
years of innovation and home-brewing among amateur radio operators in
Finland. Housed at the Finnish Museum of Technology, the exhibit features
equipment created by amateur radio operators, many of whom are members of
SRAL, the Finnish Radio Amateur Association.
So it is no surprise that this summertime exhibit is actually the result of
some clever home-brewing itself.
It began as a concept for Heikki Lempola OH2BGX, a member of the radio
association's anniversary committee. He envisioned it as a display of self-
made technology that would feature some of the equipment the radio
association itself had put on display previously during smaller local one-
day exhibits.
Like a spark that gives energy to something greater than itself, his idea
grew and grew once Heikki had a conversation with Rina Linna, the exhibition
producer at the museum in Helsinki. The museum and the radio association's
centennial tribute made for natural pairing. The home-brewing got under way
and the collection grew from compact antennas to transmitters to
transceivers, just for starters. The exhibit runs through to the 29th of
August.
In an interview posted on the museum's blog, both Heikki and Rina remark
that the equipment is on display to showcase its aesthetics as well as its
functionality. Both agreed that visitors don't have to be hams to appreciate
the beauty and the brilliance of what they're seeing.
It's the kind of amateur radio that gets its message across to everyone,
even to people who aren't hams.
For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Ed Durrant DD5LP.
(SOUTHGATE, SRAL, FINNISH MUSEUM OF TECHNOLOGY)
**
NEWSCAST CLOSE: With thanks to Amateur News Weekly; AMSAT; the ARRL; the
Australian Communications and Media Authority; the BBC; Business Insider; CQ
Magazine; David Behar K7DB; Daily DX; EarthSky; Eric Koester KA0YWN; the
Finnish Museum of Technology; the US Food and Drug Administration; Mark
Sullivan ZL3AB; Mike Sartoretti KC2SYF; Ohio Penn DX; QRZ.com; Southgate
Amateur Radio News; shortwaveradio.de; SRAL; Ted Randall's QSO Radio Show;
West Bengal Radio Club; WFTV Channel 9; 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 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 27-ago-2021 09:07 E. South America Standard Time
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