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Subj: Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2342 for Friday September 16th
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Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2342 for Friday September 16th, 2022
Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2342 with a release date of Friday
September 16th, 2022 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.
The following is a QST. Some US satellites may face stricter disposal rules
soon. Researchers work to make smaller antennas with bigger performance -
and German regulators look to add a new class of amateur license. All this
and more as Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2342 comes your way right
now.
**
BILLBOARD CART
**
US FCC SEEKS STRICTER DISPOSAL PLAN FOR SATELLITES
DON/ANCHOR: The US Federal Communications Commission wants to put domestic
satellites on notice - at least, some of them - regarding their eviction
from space once the satellites no longer function. Kent Peterson KCØDGY
explains.
KENT: In an effort to clean up space junk in low Earth orbit, the FCC hopes
to act this month in setting a deadline that would require dead non-
geostationary satellites to be removed from space within five years. The
proposal shortens the period established by NASA guidelines setting a 25-
year period, which is voluntary, for such satellite disposal.
The new regulation, if approved, would not apply to any domestic satellites
already in orbit. It would also give some breathing room to organizations
whose satellite launches have already been approved so those groups can have
a disposal plan in place before the launch date.
The FCC is proposing a two-year grandfathering period that would begin on
Sept. 29, the day the FCC has scheduled its vote. In response to NASA's
concerns about the potential impact on CubeSats, the FCC said it intended to
grant waivers on a case-by-case basis.
FCC chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said in a post on Twitter [quote] "Our
space economy is moving fast. For it to continue to grow, we need to do more
to clean up after ourselves so space innovation can continue to expand."
[endquote]
This is Kent Peterson KCØDGY.
(ENGADGET, TWITTER)
**
SMALLER ANTENNAS, BIGGER PERFORMANCE
DON/ANCHOR: Just how small can a small antenna be? Researchers in the US are
studying that challenge now, hoping to accomplish an antenna that offers
economy in space without compromising performance. Neil Rapp WB9VPG gives us
the details.
NEIL: A United States agency has begun tackling a longstanding challenge
that comes with the use of electrically small antennas. While these antennas
are space-saving assets that are noticeably shorter than the wavelengths of
the signals they handle, the antennas themselves have significant
limitations. As they get smaller, they lose bandwidth and radiation
efficiency. These antennas have been in use for many decades and can be
found, for instance, on satellites.
Researchers with the US Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity
agency have begun a four-year project to surpass these kinds of limitations.
The initiative is called the Effective Quantitative Antenna Limits for
Performance program.
Program manager Paul Kolb told the IEEE Spectrum magazine that within three
years, the teams must show that they have an actual antenna with a 6-dB gain
in performance over existing electrically small antennas. The ultimate goal
is to establish a 10-decibel gain in antenna performance in the HF and UHF
bands. Kolb told the spectrum that in the last year of the project,
researchers will be required to produce an antenna with the sought-after 10-
db gain.
The teams are being required to validate all results with independent labs.
Kolb said such antennas aren't likely to become viable for the commercial
market.
This is Neil Rapp WB9VPG.
(IEEE SPECTRUM)
**
REPEATER DEDICATED TO 6 WHO DIED ON 9/11
DON/ANCHOR: While much of the United States marked Sunday, Sept. 11th, in
solemn public ceremonies remembering the terror attacks of 2001, the New
England Emergency Communications Network dedicated a new digital repeater
site in memory of six broadcast engineers who died that day in New York
City. Jim Damron N8TMW has that story.
JIM: The New England Emergency Communications Network, which links 90
amateur radio service repeaters in the northeastern United States, brought a
new digital repeater on the air on Sunday, September 11th. The date is not
insignificant. As he put the 2-meter repeater into full-time operation on
the air, Andrew N1MYY read a statement acknowledging the anniversary of the
terror attacks. A broadcast engineer himself, Andrew dedicated the repeater
to the six broadcast engineers who died that day when the World Trade Center
was destroyed. They were Donald DiFranco of WABC-TV; Bob Pattison and Isaias
[eye-say-us] Rivera, both of WCBS, and three hams who became Silent Keys
that day: Steven Jacobsen, N2SJ, of WPIX-TV; William Steckman, WA2ACW, of
WNBC; and Rod Coppola, KA2KET, of WNET-TV.
The repeater's full-time operation now adds to the network's strength for
public service and emergency preparedness in the region.
This is Jim Damron N8TMW.
(ANDREW DENONCOUR N1MYY; NYRADIOWORLD, SOUTHGATE)
**
RSGB CANCELS JUBILEE ACTIVITIES AFTER QUEEN'S DEATH
DON/ANCHOR: In Great Britain, Jubilee activities have been halted on the air
during the somber time following the death of Queen Elizabeth II. Jeremy
Boot G4NJH is here with that report.
JEREMY: The Radio Society of Great Britain has halted its Jubilee activities
as a mark of respect for the Queen following her death. The Society has
updated its website to reflect this and has cancelled its Innovation 70
award for creative and innovative design. Meanwhile, amateurs who collected
QSOs for the Jubilee Award 70 during the month of June may still apply for
the award before the 31st of October. See the RSGB website for details at
rsgb.org.
This is Jeremy Boot G4NJH.
(RSGB)
**
ACCESS TO 60M BAND GROWS ON AFRICAN CONTINENT
DON/ANCHOR: An increasing number of hams are getting access to 60 meters,
including the latest group of nations in southern Africa. Jason Daniels
VK2LAW brings us that report.
JASON: Hams in various parts of southern Africa have gained access to the 60
metre band recently. The South African Radio League reports that South
Africa is permitted the range of frequencies from 5.350.0 to 5.450.0 MHz on
a non-interference basis at a maximum output power of 100 watts EIRP and
5.290 MHz for WSPR beacons. Namibia, eSwatini, Mozambique and Zimbabwe have
been given the WRC-15 allocation from 5.351.5 to 5.366.5 MHz with 15W EIRP.
Kenya has 5.275 MHz to 5.450 MHz on a secondary basis with 400 watts. The
league wrote on its Facebook page that it is still awaiting official
confirmation from Botswana, Lesotho, Angola, Zambia, Malawi and Tanzania.
This is Jason Daniels VK2LAW.
(FACEBOOK SARL)
**
GERMANY PROPOSES ENTRY LEVEL AMATEUR CLASS LICENSE
DON/ANCHOR: There may be big changes ahead in Germany later this year for
people hoping to get an entry-level amateur license. We learn more from
Jeremy Boot G4NJH.
JEREMY: Germany is hoping to make it easier for people to get involved in
amateur radio by adding a third class of licence at the entry level, with
low power and restricted operations. Germany's Federal Ministry for Digital
Affairs and Transport said in a press release that the proposed N-class
licence would have a greatly simplified test concentrating on regulations,
operations and basic technology. Germany's other two classes are the A, or
Full class, and the E, which is Novice - or intermediate - class.
A report on the ICQ podcast noted that N class licensees will have access to
2m and 70cm, using no more than 10 watts EIRP. Ronny Jerke, DG2RON, said in
the report that the beginner class is designed to comply with international
requirements. N class holders will also be permitted to use hotspots and
other radio devices they have built themselves.
According to the Federal Ministry, the new regulation could be in place as
early as November of this year.
This is Jeremy Boot G4NJH.
(ICQ PODCAST, FEDERAL MINISTRY FOR DIGITAL AFFAIRS AND TRANSPORT)
**
BREAK HERE: Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio
Newsline heard on bulletin stations around the world including the Elmore
County Amateur Radio Club's K7ECI repeater in Mountain Home, Idaho on
Wednesdays at 8 p.m. local time.
**
CANADIAN LICENSE-HOLDERS ASKED TO WEIGH IN ON CALLSIGNS
DON/ANCHOR: Radio Amateurs of Canada is hoping to push for some changes that
affect license-holders' callsigns and the group is asking for input. We hear
the details from Andy Morrison K9AWM.
ANDY: Radio amateurs who hold a Canadian Certificate and have a Canadian
callsign are being asked to complete a survey for Radio Amateurs of Canada,
which wants to advocate for changes in policies regarding Canadian
callsigns. The results of the survey will be used by the RAC to come up with
proposals to show Innovation Science and Economic Development Canada, the
governmental regulator.
According to the RAC website, hams are being asked to weigh in on questions
about special-event callsign authorisations, two-letter suffixed callsigns,
the handling of callsigns for Silent Keys; and various special prefix
authorisations. The survey will also explore whether it should be mandatory
for hams to change their callsigns if they relocate to another region in
Canada. Hams are also being asked whether callsigns with one suffix letter
should be issued as permanent personal call signs.
This is just a sampling of the issues included in the survey, which opened
on the 5th of August and will remain accessible to hams until the 30th of
September. Though the questions are thorough, they take no more than 10 or
15 minutes to complete. The survey was created by Dave Goodwin, VE3KG, the
RAC's regulatory affairs officer.
Amateurs holding Canadian callsigns wishing to take part in the survey can
do so by using the link in the text version of this week's newscast at
arnewsline.org
This is Andy Morrison K9AWM.
[FOR PRINT ONLY: https://www.rac.ca/canadian-amateurs-call-sign-policy-
survey/ ]
(RADIO AMATEURS OF CANADA)
**
ARRL GRANT MAKES ARKANSAS SCHOOL CLUB A REALITY
DON/ANCHOR: School is only back in session barely a week for many youngsters
in the United States but one group of teenagers already has some serious
homework to do. Dave Parks WB8ODF tells us about their assignment.
DAVE: It's official: Cave City High School in Arkansas, has its own radio
club at last. The club recently received its charter from the American Radio
Relay League along with an (sal058),000 grant from the ARRL's Grant Foundation.
Those funds will be used to purchase and install radio equipment, including
a local repeater. Science teacher Lynn Williams, N5TLW, told the Guard On
Line that the club received lots of support from the Batesville Area Radio
Club whose members helped the high school club's president, Ithyca Bacon,
KI5QOS, get things in motion. The students are hoping their station and the
repeater will be on the air within the next few months. In the meantime, the
school club is going to host a number of informational meetings for
community members who want to learn more.
The achievement is bittersweet for many involved in setting up the new club.
The president of the Batesville area amateurs, Steve Shelton, AE5RU, became
a Silent Key on the 27th of August. Lynn, who is a member of the Batesville
club, said on the Batesville club's Facebook page that the success of the
students' efforts to form the Cave City High School Amateur Radio Club comes
in large part due to Steve's dedication to that effort. He wrote: [quote]
"The current and future students in the club will benefit from his
influence." [endquote]
This is Dave Parks WB8ODF.
(GUARDONLINE, FACEBOOK)
**
CHINA RESCHEDULES LICENSE EXAMS FOR 'C' CLASS
DON/ANCHOR: Candidates for the top-level amateur license in China have a few
more weeks to wait to take their exam, which has been postponed. Jim Meachen
ZL2BHF has that story.
JIM: Amateurs in China will soon sit for a technical proficiency assessment
being given for those seeking the highest class of the nation's amateur
radio licence - the "C" class. C class hams are permitted up to 1 kW of
power on bands below 30 MHz and 25 watts above 30 MHz. The exam will be held
in Beijing on November 5th and will be overseen by the Beijing Radio
Association.
The announcement came from the Chinese Radio Amateurs Club, the national ham
radio association, which said that the assessment had originally been
scheduled for October 22nd but had to be rescheduled.
This is Jim Meachen ZL2BHF.
(CRAC, SOUTHGATE)
**
EQUIPMENT SETS SAIL FOR PALAU DXPEDITION
DON/ANCHOR: It won't be long now before 15 hundred pounds, or 680 kilograms,
of equipment for the T88WA DXpedition arrives at its final destination: The
Republic of Palau in the western Pacific Ocean. The ship set sail on the 7th
of September. The operators, members of the Western Washington DX Club, are
to leave the United States at the end of October: Justin, K5EM; Jack, N7JP;
Rob, N7QT; Brian, N9ADG; and Robin, WA7CPA, the only YL in the group. The
expedition will take place inside an operating bungalow between November 2nd
and 14th using three stations and six antennas. One hexbeam will be pointed
towards Europe and another towards North America. The group writes on their
page on QRZ.com that they are hoping to make the first activation of 60m
from Palau and be lucky enough to give EU contacts on the low bands.
(QRZ)
**
WORLD OF DX
In the World of DX, be listening for Stephen, VK3SN, on the air from
Christmas Island for a week beginning the 24th of September. He is a member
of the Christmas Island Amateur Radio Club and will use the club's call
sign, VK9XX. Be listening during the afternoons and evenings local time when
he will be using SSB and FT8 on the HF bands. For details visit the club
website at c i a r c dot org dot au (ciarc.org.au)
Be listening for Pablo, LU7MT, operating as 5KØC; Daniel, LU9FHF, operating
as 5J0DX, Jose Louis, LU1FM, operating as 5KØT, and Alejandro, LU8YD,
operating as 5KØYD, from San Andres Island, IOTA number NA-033, from
September 16th through to the 25th. Listen on the HF bands as well as 6m.
The hams will also be making use of various satellites. They will be using
CW, SSB and FT8/FT4. For QSL information, check the QRZ.com pages for the
individual calls.
Listen for Kevin, 2E0KKV, Peter, G4UIX, Stuart, M0SGV, and Ray, M0XDL using
the callsign GBØIOW from the Island of Wight, through the 23rd of September.
This is a trip by the South Dorset Radio Society. Listen on the HF bands
where operators will be using SSB and various digital modes, especially FT8.
QSL via eQSL or LoTW. For direct QSL, send to MØXDL.
Special event stations 7Z92ND, 8Z92ND and HZ92ND are now active until
September 25th in Saudi Arabia to mark the 92nd anniversary of the
"Unification Day for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia" and "Saudi N ational
Day." Free electronic awards are available at the level of gold, silver and
bronze for hams who request them by email. QSL all callsigns via HZ1SAR, the
Saudi Amateur Radio Society.
In Northern Ireland, Pastor Brian Madden, GI0RWO, will be using the special
callsign GBØKC to celebrate the new King Charles the Third, as well as
remembering the passing and the exemplary service of Queen Elizabeth the
Second. There were no details about modes but the DX clusters have shown him
on 20 and 40 meters SSB. QSL via E-mail. Send details of your QSO to him at
pastorbrianmadden at me dot com (pastorbrianmadden@me.com)
(OHIO PENN DX, VK3SN)
**
KICKER: HISTORIC PAGODA IN PENNSYLVANIA COMES ALIVE WITH RADIO
DON/ANCHOR: For our final story, we ask: What does a Japanese-style pagoda
that became a historical landmark for a Pennsylvania community have to do
with a radio club’s centennial anniversary? Amateur Radio Newsline’s Mark
Abramowicz (Abram-o-vich) NT3V takes us on a journey for the answer.
MARK: To residents of the town of Reading, Pennsylvania, The Pagoda here
atop Mount Penn has been a part of the skyline since the early 1900s. It has
become the most recognizable tourist attraction and symbol for Reading for
more than 100 years.
Local historians say it was built to cover up a developer’s gravel quarry
damage to the mountain overlooking this city. The seven-story structure,
modeled after an actual Japanese pagoda, was supposed to become a luxury
hotel.
But the history books say its owner failed to get Pennsylvania’s permission
to serve alcoholic beverages there. The owner claimed his pagoda never
realized its full potential and he went bankrupt.
By 1911, the city officials bought The Pagoda for a dollar and opened it to
the public as a local attraction. More than 60 years later, it was listed on
the National Register of Historic Places.
The Pagoda became a natural symbol for the emblem adopted by the Reading
Radio Club, which is marking its 100th anniversary this year.
On Saturday, Sept. 24, the club will be on the air from The Pagoda as a
special event station using the club call sign W3BN.
Three other HF stations using W3BN also will be on the air from the Reading
area for 12 hours to give amateurs an opportunity to join the party and earn
a keepsake color certificate featuring a photo of Reading’s historic Pagoda.
You’ll find more on the Reading Radio Club’s Facebook page or on QRZ.com,
search W3BN.
I’m Mark Abramowicz, NT3V, in Reading, Pennsylvania.
**
NEWSCAST CLOSE: With thanks to the ARRL; CQ Magazine; the CRAC; David Behar
K7DB; Engadget; Federal Ministry for Digital Affairs and Transport;
GuardonLine; ICQ Podcast; IEEE Spectrum; Ohio Penn DX; QRZ.com; Radio
Amateurs of Canada; Reading Radio Club; South African Radio League;
Southgate Amateur Radio News; shortwaveradio.de; and you our listeners,
that's all from the Amateur Radio Newsline. 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. We also remind our listeners that if you like our newscast, please
leave us a 5-star rating wherever you subscribe to us. 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 2022. All rights
reserved.
73 de Bill, PY2BIL
PY2BIL@PY2BIL.SP.BRA.SOAM
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BBS: PY2BIL - Timed 17-set-2022 16:09 E. South America Standard Time
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