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PY2BIL > ARNR 17.12.21 12:13l 359 Lines 16682 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
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Subj: Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2303 for Friday December 17th
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Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2303 for Friday December 17th, 2021
Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2303 with a release date of Friday
December 17th, 2021 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.
The following is a QST. Hams on alert during deadly US tornadoes. Radio re-
enacts historic transmissions - and everyone's on the air this holiday
season: even Santa. All this and more as Amateur Radio Newsline Report
Number 2303 comes your way right now.
***
BILLBOARD CART
**
CENTRAL US TORNADOES BRING HAMS INTO ACTION
STEPHEN/ANCHOR: We begin this week with deadly tornadoes that devastated
homes and lives recently in Kentucky and nearby states. Randy Sly W4XJ
shares those developments.
RANDY: SKYWARN nets were activated across much of the central United States
from Friday evening into early Saturday December 10th and 11th, as a tornado
outbreak of unprecedented proportion tore through Arkansas, Illinois,
Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio and Tennessee. Christine
Weilgos (Well-gus), Warning Coordination Meteorologist for the National
Weather Service in Paducah, Kentucky, which covers one of the hardest hit
areas, reported that their SKYWARN desk was manned by two local amateurs,
Garry Wheatley, KD4GCY and Jeff Estes, KM4LDP. The SKYWARN linked repeater
system across Arkansas was also active throughout the night.
At least 50 tornado reports were received by the NWS during the evening. Of
the four strongest tornadoes reported in western Kentucky, the largest was
tracked for over 200 miles on the ground. At least 88 people are known to
have perished across five states. The highest impact was in Kentucky, where
the death toll stands at 74 with an age span from 2 months to 98 years of
age. There are reports that approximately 100 people are still unaccounted
for. Early estimates of damages and economic losses have ranged into the
billions of dollars.
ARES and other amateur emergency resources across the area are still ready
to go, should additional communications support be needed.
For Amateur Radio Newsline, I’m Randy Sly, W4XJ
**
AMATEURS MARK 2 MARCONI ANNIVERSARIES
STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Radio operators on both sides of the Atlantic marked two big
moments in radio history as Jeremy Boot G4NJH tells us.
JEREMY: The two Marconi anniversary activations had everything but Guglielmo
Marconi himself. Members of the Marconi Radio Club of Newfoundland and the
Poldhu Amateur Radio Club in Cornwall, England paid tribute to Marconi's
first experimental radio transmission across the Atlantic. The Newfoundland
amateurs contacted the Poldhu radio operators marking December 12th, 1901,
the day Marconi first heard a transatlantic transmission, Morse Code for the
letter "s," sent from Cornwall to Cabot Tower in Canada.
There was even more excitement, however, the previous day in Ardrossan,
Scotland. Amateurs there received a duplicate of a message sent 100 years
earlier from the US on amateur radio frequencies in the shortwave spectrum.
Shortly after the re-enactment of the December 11th, 1921 transmission got
under way in Connecticut, however, the replica of the 1BCG transmitter
failed and went off the air. The replica, built for the 75th anniversary of
the transatlantic tests, had been restored earlier this year by the Antique
Wireless Association in Bloomfield, New York.
The association's Mark Erdle, AE2EA, told Newsline in an email that that the
transmitter suffered a plate choke failure. He said the association hopes to
get it back on the air by February of 2022.
For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Jeremy Boot G4NJH.
(QRZ.COM, MARK ERDLE AE2EA)
STEPHEN/ANCHOR: In case you missed this test re-enactment, up until December
26th you can still work UK stations using a "/2ZE" (Slash Two - ZED -E)
suffix on their normal call signs. Until the end of December, the special
event stations GB2ZE (G B 2 ZED E) and GS2ZE (G S 2 ZED E) will be on-air to
celebrate Paul Godley's achievements back in 1921.
(RSGB)
**
MINNESOTA HAM GETS SPECIAL RECOGNITION
STEPHEN/ANCHOR: In amateur radio, where communication and public service are
core elements, some people really shine. One of them was recently recognized
for his efforts by the Civil Air Patrol's Minnesota Wing. Kent Peterson
KC0DGY has that story.
KENT: Matt Stepaniak N0TNL calls his recent honor one of the proudest
moments in his life. The Civil Air Patrol volunteer has been part of the
Minnesota Wing for 20 years. His dedication as a squadron communications
officer earned him honors in 2015 with the Robert Dunbar Memorial Award,
presented for his use of his amateur radio technical skills in his work.
His latest honor came in October during National Disability Employment
Awareness Month with a new spotlight shining on Matt, who's formally known
as 1st Lt. Matthew Stepaniak. In addition to training other volunteers to
use their radios, he has played a key role in emergency response,
coordinating his efforts with the local Salvation Army. On Fridays at 9 p.m.
he is dispatcher for the Viking squadron's FM network. Matt has cerebral
palsy and fulfills all these responsibilities and more from home, where his
equipment includes his ham shack as well as his Civil Air Patrol radio and
antenna.
In the Civil Air Patrol announcement of his honor, Matt describes his Civil
Air Patrol work as a perfect channel for volunteerism and public service -
two things that remain strong to his core, thanks to ham radio.
For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Kent Peterson KC0DGY.
(CIVIL AIR PATROL)
**
INDIAN HAM CONVENTION IN HYDERABAD DRAWS CROWD
STEPHEN/ANCHOR: In India, a crowd of enthusiastic attendees showed up for a
convention that had been cancelled last year due to the pandemic. Here's
Graham Kemp VK4BB with details.
GRAHAM: Billed as the first technical convention for ham radio operators to
be held following India's COVID lockdown, the Lamakaan Amateur Radio Club's
fourth convention attracted enthusiastic attendees to Hyderabad on Saturday,
Dec. 11th and Sunday, Dec. 12th. The convention drew a full array of
speakers to the Muffakham Jah College of Engineering and Technology and was
livestreamed via satellite built by hams in India to those who were not
among the 400 convention attendees. Last year's event was cancelled because
of the pandemic. This year, the programme included forums on Cubesats,
software defined radio, DXing, satellites and the digital modes. Hams were
encouraged to share their experiences in experimenting with radio and other
wireless technologies.
The college hoped that by hosting the event, students would also be spurred
to obtain their amateur radio licences. Professor Mohammed Arifuddin Sohel,
head of the school's Department of Electronics and Communications, said
during the first day's opening remarks that he believed the students would
be inspired by what they saw and heard.
For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Graham Kemp VK4BB.
(YOUTUBE, TELAGANA TODAY, THE HINDU)
**
FOXHUNT ENTHUSIASTS PREP FOR BIG CHALLENGE IN TURKEY
STEPHEN/ANCHOR: With an ancient city as their backdrop, foxhunt enthusiasts
are preparing for a big challenge in Turkey. Here's Jason Daniels VK2LAW
with that report.
JASON: Get ready for a gathering of nations in Turkey for some serious
foxhunting this month. Between December 20th and 26th, amateur radio
foxhunters will set off near the ruins of the 7th century Turkish city of
Side on the Mediterranean coast. The challenge is being called the First
International Radio-Orienteering Competition and it is being hosted by the
UA Foxhunters of Ukraine and the NEO Sports Club. Although the contest
follows all the IARU rules for staging and scoring, this is not an official
IARU championship. There will be two Classic events, a sprint competition
and radio orienteering over the course of the seven days. For details visit
the event website at wrocturkey.com
Meanwhile, plans are already in the works for the next IARU world
competition. That is most likely to be hosted by the Amateur Radio Union of
Serbia in September 2022. This will be the 20th IARU ARDF World Championship
and will closely follow World Cup competitions for individual foxhunters.
For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Jason Daniels VK2LAW.
(HOMINGIN.COM, WROCTURKEY.COM)
**
HANDBOOK'S 76TH EDITION TO BE ITS FINAL ONE
STEPHEN/ANCHOR: A treasured broadcast handbook will soon be out of print.
Jeremy Boot G4NJH has that report.
JEREMY: The World Radio TV Handbook an invaluable guide to broadcast radio
around the globe, has ceased publication. The publisher has announced that
its soon-to-be-released 76th edition will be its last.
A statement from the publisher, Nicholas Hardyman, read: [quote] "This has
been an extremely difficult decision and was only made after a lot of
thought and discussion. We know that many people rely on WRTH and greatly
enjoy getting the new edition every year. We realise that this news will be
disappointing for many people." [endquote]
The directory, with more than 600 pages of listings and maps, was valued as
a comprehensive compendium of medium wave, shortwave and FM broadcasts and
included a section on clandestine broadcasters. Based in the UK but
providing global coverage, it has long been considered a reliable guide for
DXers and devoted radio listeners.
For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Jeremy Boot G4NJH.
(YOUTUBE, EI7GL BLOG)
**
BREAK HERE: Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio
Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the K5VOM
repeater in Greenville, Texas on Mondays at 7:30 p.m.
**
KIDS GIVE SANTA 10 OVER ON THESE NETS
STEPHEN/ANCHOR: The Santa Net, hosted by the hams of the 3916 Nets, is back
on the air in the United States through December 24th. Radio operators are
providing youngsters with this on-air opportunity to let Santa know what
their top two or three gift wishes are. Hams are asked to please remember to
ensure the contact is in compliance with all FCC Rules and Regulations
governing third party traffic. Check-ins start at 7 p.m. Central Time on 80
metres. You can also reserve a spot by visiting the website www.cqsanta.com
where you'll find videos of past QSOs with Santa.
Meanwhile, on Echolink, the 11th annual Santa Watch Net will take place on
Christmas Eve on the DoDropIn channel starting at 6 p.m. Eastern Time. As
the four-hour net gets under way, David N3NTV will be using NORAD radar to
track Santa. For details visit the website dodropin.net
(DODROPIN, 3916 NETS)
**
HOP ABOARD THE CHRISTMAS TRAIN
STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Another favorite holiday special event is already well under
way. Hope aboard the Christmas Train. Here's Jim Damron N8TMW with details.
JIM: The special event Christmas Train may have its station in West Virginia
but this is a train that can cross the United States and even pull into some
DX locations on a moment's notice. The HF bands are its express tracks.
Listen for the Christmas train, callsign K8C, on 80, 40, 20, 17, 15, 12 and
10 meters, using both SSB and CW. The train is making stops right up through
Christmas Day, when it will operate on a partial schedule. You already have
your ticket: so....hop aboard the train!
For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jim Damron N8TMW.
(QRZ)
**
FINNISH HAMS PUT OF9X AND HIS 'ELVES' BACK ON THE AIR
STEPHEN/ANCHOR: At this time of the year, we need to ask: do you believe in
the magic of DX? There are few DXes more elusive or rare than this one.
Here's Ed Durrant DD5LP to tell us about it.
ED: Are you ho-ho-hoping to score one big DX, before 2021 shuts its door?
The Finnish Amateur Radio League, S.R.A.L., may be able to help make that
happen. The league has been on the air as OF9X and OF2YOTA since early this
month and will continue through to the end of December. Here's a hint: OF9X
is compiling his log and checking it twice -- and his phonetics are "Old
Father Nine Christmas." Are you feeling the holiday spirit yet? Even if you
only believe in the powers of CW, SSB or Digital you can still add OF9X to
your wish list of contacts. You can also work his elves who are using the
callsign of OF2YOTA. The league is marking its centennial year so that means
you get an extra present under your tree: Both callsigns, along with the
callsign OI3AX, active earlier this month, count toward the S.R.A.L. Jubilee
award.
Send QSL cards for OF9X to OH2BH. Send QSL cards for OF2YOTA to OH5CZ.
Now get on the air and let your rig's screen light up like a Christmas tree.
For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Ed Durrant DD5LP.
QRZ.COM
**
WORLD OF DX
In the World of DX, Zalo, XE3N, is on the air as 4C10M from Playa del
Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico, through December 20th. Listen for him on SSB
and the Digital modes and QSL via LoTW.
Lars, PH0NO, is using the special callsign PG44FF to promote the World-Wide
Flora & Fauna award program and the Dutch program "PAFF" through early 2022.
QSL via ClubLog's OQRS. See QRZ.com for more details.
The new year is going to be a good one for members of the Irish Radio
Transmitters Society. Hams will be using the special callsign EI90IRTS to
mark the 90th anniversary of the founding of Ireland's national society.
Listen for the EI90IRTS callsign throughout 2022. QSL via EI6AL.
Members of the Saudi Association of Radio Amateurs (SARA) will be on the air
until December 28th as HZ19SAT to celebrate the launch of a Saudi satellite.
The significance of the callsign is that it been 19 years since the Saudis
launched their first CubeSat. QSL to HZ1SAR.
(OHIO PENN DX)
**
KICKER: THE BEST CARDS AREN'T ALWAYS QSL CARDS
STEPHEN/ANCHOR: We end this week with a story for the season: They don't
know it yet but some South Carolina second-graders are about to get a lesson
in geography, friendship and Christmas spirit thanks to amateur radio
operators around the US. Kevin Trotman N5PRE brings us the details.
KEVIN: Students at The Oakbrook Prep School in Spartanburg, South Carolina
were looking forward to receiving Christmas cards from all 50 US states for
a classroom lesson on states and capitals that their teacher had begun in
November. Their teacher networked as best she could, contacting friends and
other teachers, current and retired. Retired second-grade teacher Ann
Backys, K9ANN, was among those to send a card as a favor to a friend who was
helping support the project. When the Tennessee YL learned recently the
class was still short of its goal, it was time for amateur radio to come to
the rescue. Using a strategy similar to one she followed two years earlier
for a different school's project collecting postcards, Ann reached out to
ham radio operators and ARRL section managers far and wide and made her
case. The hams responded - relaying the message even farther - and sending
the cards.
Ann told Newsline that she learned that [quote] "the teacher is blown away
by the response. She never dreamed she'd get all this. They are going to
hear from all fifty states, I just know it. In fact, they'll probably get
duplicates." Just in case you want to add your home state to the mix, send a
Christmas card with your name, city and state to the Oakbrook Prep School,
Mrs. Colvard's second grade class, 190 Lincoln School Road, Spartanburg SC
29301. Oh and don't forget to say Merry Christmas.
For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Kevin Trotman N5PRE.
(ANN BACKYS K9ANN)
**
NEWSCAST CLOSE: With thanks to the ARRL; the BBC; Civil Air Patrol; CQ
Magazine; CNBC; David Behar K7DB; the DoDropInn; the EI7GL blog; the Hindu
newspaper; HomingIn.com; Mark Erdle AE2EA; Ohio Penn DX; QR Zed.com; QSO
Today; Radio World; Southgate Amateur Radio News; shortwaveradio.de;
Telangana Today; the 3916 Nets; YouTube; and you our listeners, that's all
from the Amateur Radio Newsline. You can write to us at
newsline@arnewsline.org. We remind our listeners that Amateur Radio Newsline
is an all-volunteer non-profit organization that incurs expenses for its
continued operation. If you wish to support us, please visit our website at
arnewsline.org and know that we appreciate you all.
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.
73 de Bill, PY2BIL
PY2BIL@PY2BIL.SP.BRA.SOAM
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BBS: PY2BIL - Timed 17-dez-2021 08:04 E. South America Standard Time
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