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Subj: Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2306 for Friday January 7th, 2
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Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2306 for Friday January 7th, 2022
Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2306 with a release date of Friday
January 7th, 2022 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.
The following is a QST. Hams step in amid Colorado's wildfires. Hams in the
UK salute 100 years of the BBC -- and it pays to call CQ in some of the most
unlikely places. All this and more as Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number
2306 comes your way right now.
**
AMATEUR RADIO RESPONDS TO COLORADO WILDFIRES
PAUL/ANCHOR: We begin this week with a look at a Colorado landscape
devastated by wildfires. As always, amateur radio responded. Here's Randy
Sly W4XJ with the details.
RANDY: Colorado hams were active and on high alert as wildfires consumed as
many as 1,000 homes and businesses in suburban Denver in recent days. The
wildfires, believed to be among the state's most damaging, began on
Thursday, December the 30th, as two grass fires erupted in mid-morning. Hams
with Boulder County ARES were activated.
Amanda Alden K1DDN, public information coordinator for the ARRL Colorado
section, told Newsline that Boulder County ARES chairman Allen Bishop KØARK
and Colorado Section Emergency Coordinator, Jon Blome, KFØJB sent out
preemptive pages and alerts to a group of adjacent counties for ARES members
who could assist in Boulder. There was concern that the fires, fanned by 100
mile-an-hour winds, would block the usual responders' access to the area. As
evacuations of thousands began, ARES ops were on the air at the Boulder EOC
and three evacuee shelters. The fires eradicated whole neighborhoods in the
towns of Superior and Louisville in Boulder County, and people had only
minutes to safely escape.
Amanda told Newsline that approximately 12 ARES members kept communications
running, especially at shelters where ARES members remained for 44 hours. As
snow began to fall 24 hours after the initial fire, the blazes were mostly
extinguished and power was being restored.
For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Randy Sly W4XJ.
(AMANDA ALDEN K1DDN, CNN)
**
GERMAN AMATEURS TEST-DRIVE WI-FI NETWORK
PAUL/ANCHOR: Following a flood late last year, hams in Germany have begun
rethinking their emergency-response strategies. Ed Durrant DD5LP has that
story.
ED: The painful lessons of the flooding in Germany when the Ahr River burst
its banks last September were not lost on amateur radio operators. A
prototype radio response system is now in the works with eye toward a
rollout and demonstration this coming April. Networks are being established
featuring high-performance Wi-Fi communications providing those in hard-hit
areas with the ability to send and receive messages over the internet. The
prototype's development is being underwritten by the Deutscher Amateur Radio
Club; full-scale nationwide operation is estimated at costing 1 million
euros. The DARC's emergency radio officer Oliver Schlag DL7TNY said outside
funding would be needed to implement the full programme. The ultimate goal
is to provide the Wi-Fi connections through the WLAN components as well as
charging stations for mobile devices of those in the impacted areas.
For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Ed Durrant DD5LP.
(MARKET RESEARCH TELECAST, WIA)
**
US FOREST SERVICE SEEKS FEES FROM WIRELESS INSTALLATIONS
PAUL/ANCHOR: Wireless installations may soon be facing a fee in the US for
operating on public forest land. Dave Parks WB8ODF gives us those details.
DAVE: In the United States, one of the bigger battles that the American
Radio Relay League is taking on in this new year is the US Forest Service's
plan to collect fees from anyone using its public lands for permanent
communications installations possibly including some ham radio repeaters.
The agency's proposal would have an impact on more than 1,367 sites serving
an estimated 10,000 wireless communications uses.
The annual fee is required by the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018. This
fee would apply only to new and existing permanent installations on Forest
Service lands and would have no impact on visiting amateurs' portable use of
any US national parks and forests.
The Forest Service says the fees are necessary to cover costs for creation
of communications site management plans, the hiring of people for the
communications use program and upgrading access to communications sites on
the Forest Service lands. The Federal Register notice explains that lands
within the National Forest System are utilized for communications
providers' towers, buildings and other permanent infrastructure.
The ARRL is encouraging amateurs to comment in writing no later than
February 22nd on how this would impact ham radio installations on these
properties. Send comments online to the Federal Rulemaking Portal. There is
also an address for deliveries through the US Postal Service. Send mail to
Director, Lands & Realty Management Staff, 201 14th Street SW, Washington,
DC 20250-1124. All correspondence must include a reference to “RIN 0596-
AD44.ö
For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Dave Parks WB8ODF.
(US FEDERAL REGISTER, ARRL)
**
HAM RADIO SALUTES 100 YEARS OF THE BBC
PAUL/ANCHOR: In the UK, the amateurs are saluting the professionals with a
year-long special event station marking the 100th anniversary of the British
Broadcasting Company. Jeremy Boot G4NJH tells us how to get into the action.
JEREMY: If you hear the special event callsign GB100BBC on the HF bands
you're hearing the sound of celebration. The BBC's amateur radio club, known
as the London BBC Radio Group, is using that callsign throughout this year
to mark 100 years since a number of wireless radio manufacturers, including
Marconi, created the British Broadcasting Company. Ham stations are getting
on the air from the main shack in central London as well as from members'
QTHs and other BBC locations.
Organisers ask all contacts please to keep in mind that there will be no
direct QSLs. Commemorative QSL cards will be available only through the
bureau. You may also QSL using LoTW and eQSL.
For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Jeremy Boot G4NJH.
(QRZ.COM)
**
NAVY VET PREPS CAMPING TRAILER FOR DISASTER RESPONSE
PAUL/ANCHOR: In Washington State, one Navy veteran has transformed an old
camper into a resource for emergency response. Christian Cudnik K0STH tells
us about him.
CHRISTIAN: Retired US Navy commander Frank Hutchison, AG7QP, has taken the
principles of submarine design that he'd learned in the military and steered
them in the direction of his amateur radio public service work. An emergency
responder in his Spokane, Washington community, Frank has converted a 60-
year-old camper trailer into a ham radio communications center, a project he
began more than a year ago. The trailer now has the capacity for three
radios, two heavy-duty rechargeable batteries and a pair of 200-watt solar
panels on the roof to keep the interior lit. There's even a kitchenette.
Following months of work, Frank was able to give the camper a test-drive of
sorts this past October during an emergency exercise at his church. That
helped Frank see what else needed to be done to get the emergency vehicle
ready for action.
Frank, who is the assistant emergency coordinator for the Spokane County
Amateur Radio Emergency Service, told the Spokesman newspaper that the
renovated trailer [quote] “gives me the capability of helping others. I can
support local and state-wide emergency communications for one week without
any outside support.ö [endquote]
He told the newspaper that he hoped there would never be a need to use it at
all -- but with wildfires and other natural disasters a reality, he'll be
ready -- just in case.
For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Christian Cudnik K0STH.
(THE SPOKESMAN)
**
NEW LEADERSHIP FOR RADIO AMATEURS OF CANADA
PAUL/ANCHOR: The new year has brought new leadership to Radio Amateurs of
Canada. Phil A. McBride, VA3QR/VA3KPJ, has taken office as the RAC's new
president, succeeding Glenn MacDonell, VE3XRA. Phil formerly served as the
director of Ontario South for the RAC. Licensed since 1994, Phil's other
amateur radio activities include membership in the Canadian Forces Affiliate
Radio System and work as webmaster and club examiner for the Guelph Amateur
Radio Club.
(RAC, QRZ.COM)
**
BREAK HERE: Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio
Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the K6PVR
repeater in Ventura, California on Sundays at 6:30 p.m. local time.
**
ARRL REDEFINES 'LOW POWER' FOR CONTESTS
PAUL/ANCHOR: The ARRL has redefined what is considered "low power" in its
contests. Stephen Kinford N8WB brings us that report.
STEPHEN: New Year's Day marked the start of a new definition of low power
for operators in HF contests sponsored by the ARRL. The league now defines
low-power as 100 watts or less. Although the ARRL says it made the move to
standardize its categories with those in other low-power contests, the
league also recognizes that 100 watts is now the most common maximum output
of most modern HF transceivers. The previous power limit was 150 watts.
For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Stephen Kinford N8WB.
(ARRL)
**
ANNUAL PORTABLE OPS CHALLENGE BECOMES OPEN SOURCE
PAUL/ANCHOR: Organizers of the annual Fox Mike Hotel portable operations
challenge are making the event available to any group wanting to host the
contest, which was founded on the concept of leveling the playing field for
operators by the use of Km-per-watt scoring and golf-like handicapping
rules. The Steering Committee believes its approach, methods and rules can
be used as-is or adjusted as needed, although the name of the event must be
retained.
Details about how to get started are in the September/October 2021 issue of
the National Contesting Journal, which is free as a digital download to all
ARRL members.
(FRANK HOWELL K4FMH)
**
FM BROADCAST INTERFERENCE HALTED AT DUTCH AIRPORT
PAUL/ANCHOR: The latest incident of broadcast interference with air traffic
controllers has been halted in the Netherlands. Jeremy Boot G4NJH brings us
that story.
JEREMY: Dutch authorities have closed down the radio interference from an FM
broadcaster that was disrupting communications between pilots and air
traffic controllers at an Amsterdam airport. A report on the website of the
Dutch national amateur radio society VERON said that the FM transmissions
were from a licenced broadcaster but were in violation because the music was
being broadcast on the aviation band. Air Traffic Control of the Netherlands
said the transmitter has since been shut down. No information was given
about any sanctions and the broadcaster was not identified.
According to the report, the violation posed a risk but no planes were in
immediate danger during that period.
For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Jeremy Boot G4NJH.
(VERON, SOUTHGATE)
**
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TO AID RADIO TRANSCRIPTION FOR MILITARY
PAUL/ANCHOR: In Australia, one project is studying how artificial
intelligence can aid radio transcription for the military. Graham Kemp VK4BB
brings us the details.
GRAHAM: The Australian Army is working to simplify some areas of its radio
communications through the help of a collaborative effort with Microsoft.
The programme relies on artificial intelligence, or AI, to automate
communications transcription and analysis. The military is hoping the end
result will be greater situational awareness and a higher level of tactical
decision-making.
A December 16th report by the Microsoft News Center said the first priority
will be the analysis of radio voice communications, providing searchable
text transcripts that military commanders can refer to and glean enhanced
situational awareness to assist in their decision-making. Part of that
effort is to use AI to identify sender, recipient and other key message
parameters which will help sort out the transcription process properly.
Brigadier Ian Langford, director general of the Future Land Warfare Branch
told Microsoft: [quote] "Employing artificial intelligence tools through a
reliable, secure and resilient platform to consolidate battlefield
communications is an important step toward the creation of a decision
support engine to create decision advantage in the future." [endquote]
For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Graham Kemp VK4BB.
(MICROSOFT NEWS)
**
WORLD OF DX
In the World of DX, be listening for members of the West Bengal Radio Club,
VU2WB, in India operating with the special callsign AU2GSI from Sagar
Island, AS-153, between the 9th and the 16th of January. The activation
coincides with the Gangasaga Mela Celebration. Be listening on 40, 20 and 15
metres. Send QSLs via eQSL.
Jacques, F6HMJ, is on the air in southern Senegal as 6W7/F6HMJ through to
February 22nd. Listen for him on 40-10 metres where he will be using CW and
SSB. Send QSLs to his home call.
There's still time to work Andrea HB9DUR who is using the callsign EX0DX
from Kyrgyzstan. He is there until the 10th of January. Listen on various HF
bands. QSL to his home call, or via LoTW, Club Log OQRS or eQSL.
A small team of operators will be on Friars Island, SA-023, Brazil from
January 20th to the 23rd. Listen for ZY6A. The team will be operating on
various HF bands. QSL details are on QRZ.COM
The Bouvet Island 3Y0J DXpedition recently announced some replacements in
its team. Cezar VE3LYC and Otis NP4G have come on board for the November
trip, which is going ahead after the departure of Sandro VE7NY, Laci HA0NAR
and Dima RA9USU. The team expects to be on the island for three weeks.
(DX-WORLD.NET, 3Y0J WEBSITE)
**
KICKER: THIS SHOPPING LIST INCLUDED A SURPRISE QSO
PAUL/ANCHOR: You never know what's going to happen when you call CQ. One ham
in Tennessee found out that if you do it in an unlikely place, using an
unlikely method, you may just be surprised at what happens. Here's Skeeter
Nash N5ASH with our final story for the week.
SKEETER: There was no doubt about it: Bill Price K4FLH was calling CQ and
the sound of his Morse Code practice could be heard loud and clear,
everywhere. In this case, "everywhere" turned out to be the inside of the
huge Walmart store where he was shopping. Instead of using a keyer, Bill was
practicing his CW using the small high-pitched electronic horn that's
attached to the riding cart that the store provides for disabled shoppers
like him. The horn is there to warn other shoppers of the cart's approach.
Bill told Newsline he's been practicing that way since the summer and he
never once thought anything would come of it except improved code practice
-- that is, until late December. Bill wrote on Facebook that to his
surprise, that day his Morse message caught the ear of another shopper: a
fellow ham also using a cart with a horn. What followed was a 10-minute QSO
between the two. It ended when they agreed to meet up at the checkout for an
eyeball QSO.
Bill not only got his shopping list completed - he ended up with something
that wasn't on his list. He wrote [quote] "I now have a new friend."
[endquote]
For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Skeeter Nash N5ASH.
(BILL PRICE K4FLH)
**
NEWSCAST CLOSE: With thanks to Amanda Alden K1DDN; the ARRL; the BBC; Bill
Price K4FLH; CQ Magazine; David Behar K7DB; DX-World.net; Frank Howell,
K4FMH; Market Research Telecast; Microsoft News; QRZ.com; Radio Amateurs of
Canada; Southgate Amateur Radio News; the Spokesman newspaper;
shortwaveradio.de; the 3Y0J website; 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. 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 Paul Braun WD9GCO in Valparaiso Indiana saying 73.
As always we thank you for listening.
Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) is Copyright 2022. All rights reserved.
73 de Bill, PY2BIL
PY2BIL@PY2BIL.SP.BRA.SOAM
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------+
BBS: PY2BIL - Timed 07-jan-2022 08:58 E. South America Standard Time
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