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Subj: Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2262 for Friday March 5 2021
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Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2262 for Friday March 5 2021
Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2262 with a release date of Friday
March 5 2021 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.
The following is a QST. Wyoming students finally get their space QSOs. A
solar panel promises more energy for Earth -- and a new video tells the
story of a classic broadcast transmitter's rescue. All this and more as
Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2262 comes your way right now.
***
BILLBOARD CART
***
WYOMING STUDENTS GET QSO WITH ISS AT LAST
DON/ANCHOR: We begin this week with the story of a promise fulfilled: In the
language of space, Perseverence isn't just the name of a rover on Mars. It's
a quality that paid off among students in Wyoming who — after a failed
attempt in January — finally got their QSO with the International Space
Station. Here's Mike Askins KE5CXP with the details.
MIKE: Students at Wyoming's Newcastle High School were flying high, at least
in spirit, on Monday, March 1st. Their amateur radio contact with ISS
Commander Mike Hopkins KF5LJG was a success at last, after their first try
failed as a result of technical troubles with the U.S. astronauts' radio.
With that radio down for repairs, the QSO took place via the Russians' 2-
meter rig instead and the students' questions rolled in fast, making the
most of their precious 10-minute window for contact. After hearing how bok
choy and mustard is grown in space, how astronauts gently toss a football
around for amusement and how a microgravity environment can cause fluid in
the ears, the students wrapped things up by saying 73.
The contact, accomplished with the help of a multi-point telebridge network,
was a triumph for the high school as much as the ARISS program: It marked
the first time in the ARISS program's 20-year history, that it has organized
a QSO with students in Wyoming.
To hear the QSO, visit the YouTube site that appears in the printed version
of this week's script.
[FOR PRINT ONLY, DO NOT READ: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2EYvX27Ujo]
For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Mike Askins KE5CXP.
DON/ANCHOR: In the meantime, ARISS chair Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, announced that
efforts were under way to identify the issue that caused the radio to fail
in January and a team is working with NASA and the European Space Agency on
a solution.
(ARISS, YOUTUBE)
**
SPACEWALKING AMATEURS PREP FOR POWER UPGRADE
DON/ANCHOR: Meanwhile, big things have been happening OUTSIDE the ISS, too.
Paul Braun WD9GCO picks up the story from here.
PAUL: For two amateur radio operators aboard the International Space
Station, it was their moment in the sun. Literally. NASA flight engineers
Kate Rubins KG5FYJ and Victor Glover KI5BKC took the first moves toward a
power upgrade for the space station, during a seven-hour and four-minute
spacewalk to outfit the new solar arrays with modification kits.
If the view for observers was a little more spectacular than usual, consider
that Rubins' helmet held a high definition video camera for the first time
and was streaming the action live. Videos had been taken previously using a
helmet cam, of course, but only with standard definition.
NASA was quick to point out that the present solar arrays on the ISS are
working fine but they're degrading and are approaching the end of their
useful life. The spacewalk was designed to prepare for the installation of
new solar arrays which are expected to be sent to the ISS aboard a SpaceX
vehicle starting in June.
Meanwhile, there is still work to be done. NASA officials said that the
upgrade is to be completed by Friday March 5th, with Rubins returning
accompanied by another amateur radio operator: Japan Aerospace Exploration
Agency astronaut Soichi Noguchi KD5TVP.
For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Paul Braun WD9GCO.
(CNN, SPACE.COM)
**
RF INTERFERENCE REPORTS DRAW RAPID RESPONSE FROM OFCOM
DON/ANCHOR: In the UK, the telecommunications regulator recently delivered a
rapid response to a report of radio interference – but this wasn't exactly
an amateur radio crisis. Jeremy Boot G4NJH explains.
JEREMY: It took barely a half-hour as Ofcom, the telecommunications
regulator in the UK, responded swiftly to an urgent report of widespread RF
interference, calling it a high priority case. Even the local police got
involved and awaited the arrival of a spectrum engineer dispatched from
Ofcom's Spectrum Management Centre, which operates around the clock.
The crisis at hand wasn't jammed signals reported by radio operators but the
failure of shoppers at a Hertfordshire superstore to use their key fobs to
unlock their vehicles in the car park. Because the key fobs use radio
spectrum at very low power they are subject to interference issues the same
as other radio equipment.
Using his spectrum analyser, the engineer was unable to pinpoint the source
of the interference, which could have been simply lightbulbs or a
malfunctioning doorbell. The situation had already resolved itself by the
time he arrived.
Hams in the UK should report any and all interference to Ofcom, via the web
address given in the text version of this report at arnewsline.org.... even
if their vehicle's key fob is working fine.
[PRINT ONLY: Don't read out: https://ofcomforms.secure.force.com/formentry/
]
For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Jeremy Boot G4NJH.
(SOUTHGATE, OFCOM)
**
THOUSANDS OF QSOS MADE TO HONOR DISCOVERY OF PLUTO
DON/ANCHOR: Imagine getting a QSL card from Pluto. Thousands did. Well, OK,
it was really the next best thing: a special event station celebrating
Pluto. Here's Randy Sly W4XJ with the details.
RANDY: Amateur radio operators from around this world recently celebrated
the discovery of another world: Pluto, which was first seen in 1930 by
astronomer Clyde Tombaugh. Special event station W7P – with "P" for Pluto –
was activated last month by the Northern Arizona DX Association for the
Pluto Anniversary Countdown Special Event. There will be an event counting
down each of the next 10 years, ending with the centennial year 2030.
This was a particularly special event for Doug Tombaugh N3PDT, nephew of the
astronomer who made the discovery. Doug marked the occasion by operating
along with three other amateurs as W7P/0, logging 1,191 contacts. He said he
especially enjoyed talking with other amateurs who knew his uncle or were
involved in other activities related to Pluto.
Countdown coordinator Bob Wertz NF7E said in all 15 amateurs logged more
than 7,000 contacts from their home QTHs as well as from a communications
trailer on the grounds of Lowell Observatory, where Clyde first made his
discovery.
The countdown begins again next year on February 12th – the last Saturday
before the February 18th anniversary itself.
For Amateur Radio Newsline, I’m Randy Sly, W4XJ.
**
SOLAR PANEL PROMISES MORE STREAMED ENERGY TO EARTH
DON/ANCHOR: Now here's a story that should energize you: A ham radio
operator has helped develop a way to bring more of the sun's power home to
Earth. Kent Peterson KC0DGY sheds light on this.
KENT: Amateur radio ingenuity has helped lead to the development of a
prototype solar panel designed to transmit electricity to Earth from outer
space.
Launched in May of 2020 aboard a Pentagon drone, the device is known as the
Photovoltaic Direct Current to Radio Frequency Antenna Module, or PRAM for
short. Project co-developer Paul Jaffee KJ4IKI said in a recent CNN report
that the PRAM underwent a successful test recently by the United States
Department of Defense at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory.
He said the PRAM produces about 10 watts of energy for transmission but
could be scaled up, bringing the promise of transmitting energy to the power
grids back on Earth. The panel uses the blue waves of light in space which
become diffused when entering the Earth's atmosphere. It captures these
waves, which are more powerful than sunlight on Earth, and retains that
energy.
No, the PRAM hasn't yet sent any of that power back home but scientists say
the tests have shown it works. The concept is to beam microwaves to Earth
for conversion into electricity wherever it is needed. Paul told CNN that
the next move would be to expand its ability to collect even more sunlight
to prepare it for that microwave transportation back to Earth.
Team co-leader Chris DePuma told CNN the technology would be especially
useful in regions where natural disasters have taken down the power grid.
For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Kent Peterson KC0DGY.
(CNN)
**
AMATEUR MAKES PLANS FOR 'FLYING HAMS' PODCAST
DON/ANCHOR: If you're one of those amateur radio operators who likes to get
on air FROM the air, as a pilot, this next story from Andy Morrison K9AWM
might have you in mind.
ANDY: Dan Hileman WO5WO is a ham with a high-flying idea. A former airline
pilot-turned-middle school teacher has another project on the runway. He's
planning to start a podcast this summer devoted to hams who enjoying being
IN the air....as much as they like to be ON the air. He'd like to bring hams
on board for ragchews about fly-ins, DX-peditions, FAA flight safety tips,
and projects that combine being a pilot and an amateur radio operator. He's
especially interested in stories of famous – and not-so-famous – hams in the
sky. He told Newsline in an email that the podcast is [quote] "just a fun
way to connect already connected hobbies" [endquote] and he can't guarantee
there won't be more than a few corny jokes along the way. He said he hopes
the half-hour, bi-weekly podcast will inspire youngsters to think about
flying and radio as two related hobbies.
He's working with a ham radio friend who's a former Air Force pilot and
together they're hoping to, well, get things off the ground. Dan welcomes
any and all ideas. You can reach him via email at flyinghams78@gmail.com Who
knows what ideas might just take wing?
For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Andy Morrison K9AWM.
**
BREAK HERE: Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio
Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world including the WA2EHL
repeater in Burlington New Jersey on Fridays at 7 p.m. local time.
**
SARL PARTNERSHIP TO ASSIST KENYA'S NEWEST HAMS
DON/ANCHOR: Hams in South Africa are partnering with hams in Kenya to help
that nation's newest amateurs. Jim Meachen ZL2BHF brings us that story.
JIM: The Communication Authority of Kenya has approved a memorandum of
understanding that will allow the South African Radio League to assist the
Radio Society of Kenya by administering the technical parts of the amateur
licence exam. Regulator approval of the agreement was announced in late
February. The memorandum outlines how the Kenyan radio society will continue
to administer the regulations and operating procedure portions but states
that the South African group will conduct online courses for training of the
Kenyan amateurs and provide the training manuals and presentation material
as well. The arrangement, which had been worked out during the past six
months, can now go forward. SARL has similar agreements in place with
Namibia and Botswana.
For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Jim Meachen ZL2BHF.
(SARL NEWS BULLETIN)
**
AMSAT-DL TRACKS MARS SPACE PROBE
DON/ANCHOR: When it copied signals recently from two space probes near Mars,
AMSAT Germany was listening for a special reason. Ed Durrant DD5LP explains.
ED: AMSAT-DL, which has a long-term goal to launch a space probe to Mars,
has been listening meanwhile to probes from China and the Emirates that are
in orbit around the planet. Using the Bochum Observatory dish at the
Sternwarte Bochum Institute, the German AMSAT organisation has copied
signals from Tianwen-1 and EMM/Hope, both of which are transmitting on 8.4
GHz. AMSAT-DL makes use of the dish on a regular basis to receive
transmission from the NASA/NOAA weather satellites.
Built in 1965 to provide ground support for the Apollo missions, the dish
was renovated in 2003 with the help of amateur radio operators who added
phase-locked receivers in the 2.3 GHz, 5.8 GHz and 10.4 GHz amateur bands,
along with the 8.4 GHz receiver. The dish also has an S-band, 2.4 GHz
amateur transmitter with 250 watts PEP output. The dish, which is 20-metres,
or 65.6 feet, in diameter, copied signals from Voyager 1 in 2006.
AMSAT Germany's plan for a probe of its own dates to 2002, when preparations
began for a way to circle Mars, conduct experiments and leave a payload on
the planet's surface. Scientists hope the German P5-A probe will be capable
of transmitting on amateur radio frequencies receivable on Earth using a 2-
to 3-metre parabolic antenna.
For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Ed Durrant DD5LP.
(AMSAT-DL)
**
HAMS IN BRAZIL CHALLENGE REGULATOR'S LACK OF RESPONSE
DON/ANCHOR: Hams in Brazil have challenged the nation's regulator, saying
its lack of response is keeping hams off the air. Jeremy Boot G4NJH has that
story.
JEREMY: Brazil's amateur radio society LABRE has told the nation's
communications regulator ANATEL that problems communicating with them and
their website have been standing in the way of many who wish to operate
legally on the ham bands.
In a letter dated the 23rd February, the radio organisation LABRE
acknowledged that the recent introduction of online licence testing had
eased some of the difficulties in getting on the air but hams are now
thwarted by the bureaucracy they face in order to complete the process. The
letter cited excessive days waiting and a lack of communication from ANATEL.
LABRE said that these difficulties have been reported by newly licensed
amateurs as well as those qualifying for upgrades.
In a report of the letter, which appeared on Southgate Amateur Radio News,
there had been no immediate response from the Brazilian regulator.
For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Jeremy Boot G4NJH.
(SOUTHGATE)
**
OPEN REGISTRATION BEGINS FOR YOUTH ON THE AIR CAMP
DON/ANCHOR: It's time to think about amateur radio camp – and the
application period is now open for young hams throughout North, Central, and
South America. The Youth on the Air camp will take place from July 11th
through July 16th at the National Voice of America Museum in West Chester,
Ohio and will welcome as many as 30 campers ages 15 through 25. Scholarships
are available for those who cannot afford the 000 camp fee. The window to
apply closes on March 21st at 2359 UTC. For details or to download a
brochure visit YouthOnTheAir.org
Organizers will announce in April whether camp needs to be rescheduled in
response to COVID-19 restrictions but for now the plans are going forward.
**
NOMINATE A YOUNG HAM FOR NEWSLINE'S AWARD
DON/ANCHOR: Speaking of young hams, we have opened the nomination period for
our annual Bill Pasternak WA6ITF Memorial Amateur Radio Newsline Young Ham
of the Year award. Think of a young amateur whose commitment to community
and whose enthusiasm for radio has inspired you and others and submit their
name. Nominees must 18 or younger living in the United States, its
possessions or any Canadian province. Downloadable nomination forms can be
found on our website arnewsline.org
**
WORLD OF DX
In the world of DX, be listening for special event station GB2CR in Scotland
until the 18th of March. The special callsign's suffix "CR" stands for
"Collins Radio," and the operators will be using vintage valve/tube radio
equipment manufactured in the U.S. by Collins. Be listening on 80-10 meters;
mostly SSB with some CW. All QSOs will be uploaded to ClubLog.
Be listening for Bill, K9HZ; Kyle, WA4PGM and Dan, W0CN active as J68HZ from
a villa in St. Lucia until March 11th. Their activity is usually on 160-2
meters using CW, SSB, FT8 and EME. QSL J68HZ via LoTW, eQSL or direct to
K9HZ
Stian LB5SH will be active as JW/LB5SH from the JW5E club station on
Spitsbergen Island in the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard. He is expected
to be on the air between March 25th and March 28th on various HF bands using
SSB and FT8. He will also be in the CQWW WPX SSB Contest on March 27 and
28th using the callsign JW2T. Send QSLs to JW/LB5SH and possibly JW2T via
LoTW or ClubLog.
Be listening for Ian, ZS6JSI, who began operating from Benin as ZS6JSI/TY in
January and expects to be there for six months. Be listening mostly on 20
meters where he is using FT8. He also operates mobile and can be heard at
times on 80/40/20 meters using SSB and
FT8. For details visit his page on QRZ.com.
(OHIO PENN DX)
**
KICKER: DOCUMENTING AN OLD BOAT ANCHOR'S SAIL
DON/ANCHOR: If you've ever refurbished an old boat anchor, you know the
challenges of adding a piece of history to your shack. No doubt you can
relate to this next story about a powerful old Collins boat anchor. Ralph
Squillace KK6ITB tells about a new video that chronicles its rescue and its
cross-country journey several years ago.
RALPH: The control room and the Collins 250,000-watt transmitters once used
by Voice of America at its Delano Relay Station in California is
transmitting history now instead of U.S. government broadcasts that began
during World War II into the Pacific Rim and Central and South America. The
transmitter, once part of Delano (duh-LAY-no) Relay DL-8, is now part of the
permanent exhibit at the Antique Wireless Association Museum in Bloomfield,
New York, where its cross-country journey ended almost six years ago with
the help of the museum, the Collins Collectors Association and the VOA.
A video moderated by Dennis Kidder W6DQ and recently uploaded by the museum
shows the painstaking effort of the team to save the 821A-1 transmitter from
the bulldozer headed its way after Voice of America halted its operations
there in 2007. The team, working to do disassembly and transport on a tight
deadline, consisted of Jim Stitzinger WA3CEX, Bill Cairns N7OTQ, Rod
Blocksome N0DAS, CCA president Scott Kerr KE1RR and Vince Baker from the
VOA, among others.
This was not just Collins' most powerful transmitter for a shortwave
broadcaster; it could also autotune within 20 seconds, helping it successful
avoid jammers seeking to silence the U.S. government's messages. Its story,
however, remains unsilenced: Visitors have shared its message and its
history at the Antique Wireless Museum and now in this 40-minute video
uploaded to YouTube in February.
A link to the video appears in the script of this week's newscast on our
website, arnewsline.org
For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Ralph Squillace KK6ITB.
[FOR PRINT: do not read https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrSrdArng10 ]
(YOUTUBE, CCA, AWA)
**
NEWSCAST CLOSE: With thanks to the ACMA; Amateur News Weekly; AMSAT-DL; the
Antique Wireless Association; the ARRL; Collins Collectors Association; CQ
Magazine; CNN; David Behar; EOS; Ofcom; Ohio Penn DX newsletter; QRZ.com;
South African Radio League; Southgate Amateur Radio News; shortwaveradio.de;
SPACE.com; Ted Randall's QSO Radio Show; the Wireless Institute of
Australia; WTWW Shortwave; YouTube; YOTA Americas Camp; and you our
listeners, that's all from the Amateur Radio Newsline. Please send emails to
our address at newsline@arnewsline.org. More information is available at
Amateur Radio Newsline's only 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 Don Wilbanks AE5DW in Picayune Mississippi 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 05-mar-2021 07:49 E. South America Standard Time
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