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PY2BIL > ARNR 22.03.24 13:00l 356 Lines 15857 Bytes #74 (0) @ WW
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Subj: Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2421 for Friday March 22nd, 20
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Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2421 for Friday March 22nd, 2024
Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2421 with a release date of Friday
March 22nd, 2024 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.
The following is a QST. The FCC releases rules for satellite use by cell
phones. An Indian DXpedition doubles as a disaster drill -- and celebrating
the anniversary of a historic ham radio law in Germany. All this and more
as Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2421 comes your way right now.
**
BILLBOARD CART
**
FCC SETS RULES FOR CELLULAR-SATELLITE COVERAGE
PAUL/ANCHOR: Could a recent FCC action start narrowing the gap between
cellular and satellite networks for mobile phone users? Kent Peterson KCØDGY
looks into that question.
KENT: The communications industry calls it "supplemental coverage from
space," or SCS. It is the ability of mobile phones to seamlessly tap into
satellite service in remote areas where cellular communication is not
available. That capability became more of a reality on the 14th of March
when the Federal Communications Commission adopted rules that will guide the
industry in making this possible.
In a prepared statement, FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel said [quote] "“We
won’t need to think about what network, where and what services are
available. Connections will just work everywhere, all the time." [endquote]
The FCC praised the new rules as setting the stage for a potentially life-
saving service and called the new regulations the first of their kind for
SCS.
The move comes as wireless companies begin signing collaboration deals with
satellite operators to provide this kind of expanded coverage. Although
Verizon does not yet have such a deal, companies in the US, such as AT&T and
T-Mobile, each have one in place.
This is Kent Peterson KCØDGY.
(SATELLITE TODAY, FCC, TELECOMPETITOR)
**
FCC QUESTIONS CELLPHONE SECURITY THREATS VIA SATELLITE
PAUL/ANCHOR: Meanwhile, the FCC has begun looking into whether any security
threats are being created by US mobile phones having access to satellites
that are operated by adversarial foreign countries. Only access to the
Galileo GNSS system in Europe has been approved, however. As early as 2018
FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel has expressed concern that chips in US phones
make them capable of operating with other nations' global navigation
satellites; hence, the agency's concern.
(YAHOO FINANCE)
**
SRI LANKA CHOSEN TO HOST RADIO NETWORK CONVENTION
PAUL/ANCHOR: This year, it's Sri Lanka's turn to host a convention of radio
operators specializing in emergency communication throughout southeast Asia.
Jason Daniels VK2LAW has those details.
JASON: The Radio Society of Sri Lanka has been chosen to host the SEANET
2024 convention in September. SEANET, the South East Asia Amateur Radio
Network, was created in 1964 on 20 metres to provide a means of emergency
communication and to bring ham radio operators together in fellowship
through daily on-air communication at 1200 UTC. Most of the amateurs
participating reside in the region but check-ins take place from around the
world.
SEANET's first convention was held in 1971 in Malaysia. Subsequent
conventions have taken place in Australia, Thailand, China, Brunei, India,
Singapore and other locales throughout southeast Asia.
Details about the event and its agenda will be available on the RSSL's
website and social media channels.
This is Jason Daniels VK2LAW.
(RADIO SOCIETY OF SRI LANKA, FACEBOOK)
**
IRTS GETS OK FOR HAREC EXAMINATIONS IN IRELAND
PAUL/ANCHOR: Hams in Ireland whose summer travel plans include their radios
can plan on taking the Harmonised Amateur Radio Examination Certificate in
May. Ireland's regulator has just received approval to give it, as we hear
from Jeremy Boot G4NJH.
JEREMY: The Commission for Communications Regulation has given approval to
the Irish Radio Transmitters Society to hold a HAREC examination for the
certificate. Under the Harmonised Amateur Radio Examination Certificate, the
successful completion of the exam means certificate holders may apply for a
licence in another HAREC country without having to sit the local exam. This
is true for both CEPT and some non-CEPT countries.
IRTS has scheduled the exam for Saturday the 11th of May in Dublin, with
registration starting at 10:30 a.m. local time. It is hoped that an exam may
also be offered in Kerry at the same time, subject to demand.
Interested amateurs need to apply in advance and should visit the IRTS
website to download and complete the application form. It can be found under
the header "Applying for an Exam."
This is Jeremy Boot G4NJH.
(IRTS)
**
SILENT KEY: CELEBRATED QRP'er DIETER GENTZOW, W8DIZ
PAUL/ANCHOR: The community of QRP operators has lost a well-known and
influential member of its inner circle. We learn more about him from Travis
Lisk, N3ILS.
TRAVIS: Dieter Gentzow, W8DIZ, was well-known in QRP circles, having carved
out a reputation as both a leader and a mentor. Known by the nickname, Diz,
he was a veteran of the United States Coast Guard and a founder of the
Flying Pigs QRP Club International.
Diz died on the 3rd of March and was reported as a Silent Key on QRZ.com
He ran a popular business, kitsandparts dot com (kitsandparts.com) with his
wife, Nancy. He was also well-known for leading the popular Buildathon at
the Four Days in May event in the early 2000s during Dayton Hamvention and
according to Brian, KB9BVN, another member of the Flying Pigs QRP group,
[quote] "was a consummate designer and builder of all kinds of radio-related
projects ranging from amplifiers, antenna tuners, transceivers and
diagnostic gear aimed at the amateur radio builder [and] maker." [endquote]
He had created a series of QRPp radio kits called the "1-watter" series,
which he sold through his business.
Born in 1948, Diz was inducted into the QRP Hall of Fame in 2005.
This is Travis Lisk, N3ILS
(QRZ.COM)
**
BEACH DXPEDITION DOUBLES AS MOCK DISASTER DRILL
PAUL/ANCHOR: In India, two ham radio groups are getting ready for a
DXpedition that doubles as a disaster drill. We hear about their plans from
Jim Meachen ZL2BHF.
JIM: Two amateur radio organisations in India are teaming up for a
combination DXpedition and disaster drill on the weekend of March 29th to
the 31st. Known as the Digha DXpedition, it will feature a mock disaster
drill with radio operators from the Indian Academy of Communication &
Disaster Management and the West Bengal Radio Club. The hams will be
operating from Old Digha Beach in West Bengal and will be using the callsign
VU2WB, the callsign of the West Bengal club, on 10, 20 and 40 metres, using
SSB and FT8. This sea beach has suffered for years from coastal erosion and
other damage as the result of natural and manmade forces. To help prepare
hams for emergency response, this exercise has been scheduled to take place
just weeks before the start of monsoon season in May.
This is Jim Meachen ZL2BHF.
(AMBARISH NAG BISWAS, VU2JFA)
**
FUNCUBE AVAILABLE FOR QSOS AGAIN
PAUL/ANCHOR: The CubeSat known as AO-73 has put the fun back in FunCube.
AMSAT reports that the transponder is back in action for amateur radio
communication after a brief period of rest for its batteries. The satellite
had been placed in safe mode on March 3rd, providing only low power
telemetry. The popular educational CubeSat has been in orbit since 2013.
(AMSAT, AMATEUR RADIO WEEKLY)
**
LOW-POWER STATION GETS CITY'S LAST FM BROADCAST FREQUENCY
PAUL/ANCHOR: San Francisco's last remaining FM broadcast frequency for Low
Power FM radio licensees has been assigned by the FCC to a local nonprofit
independent station. Ralph Squillace KK6ITB tells us what happens next.
RALPH: The announcement on the website of BFF dot fm (BFF.fm) could not have
had a more jubilant tone. The station, which provides listeners with music
and talk programming exclusively on the Internet and through an app, has
been given the go-ahead to operate on a low-power broadcast FM frequency.
According to a report on the website SFGate, the assignment of 104.9 FM
leaves the city with no more unclaimed low-power FM frequencies. Writing on
its blog, the station said that it still has some homework to do: among
those assignments, determining its four-letter callsign and building a tower
during the next three years. The FCC has given the station the right to
broadcast over a limited area in the southwest area of the city, giving it
access to an estimated 100,000 listeners.
The station, which was created in 2013, has said it will also maintain its
online presence.
This is Ralph Squillace KK6ITB.
(SFGATE, BFF.FM)
**
BREAK HERE: Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio
Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world including the WG8ARS
repeater of the Germantown Amateur Radio Society in Germantown, Ohio on
Sundays after the 9 p.m. net.
**
NOMINATE OUR NEXT YOUNG HAM OF THE YEAR
PAUL/ANCHOR: At this time of year we ask our listeners to nominate a
promising young radio amateur to become the Bill Pasternak Memorial Young
Ham of the Year for 2024. Candidates must live in the continental United
States and be 18 years of age or younger. Tell our judges about your
nominee's talent, promise and commitment to the spirit of ham radio. This is
your chance to help honor and acknowledge that person who will, no doubt, go
on to teach and inspire others. Find the nomination form on our website
arnewsline.org under the "AWARDS" tab. Nominations close on May 31st.
**
A CELEBRATION OF GERMANY'S AMATEUR RADIO LAW
PAUL/ANCHOR: In Germany, the spotlight is on the country's amateur radio
law, which is marking its 75th anniversary. Jeremy Boot G4NJH tells us how
hams are celebrating.
JEREMY: Amateurs in Germany are celebrating 2024 as the 75th anniversary of
the country's amateur radio legislation, which took effect in March 1949,
predating Germany's Basic Law and the creation of the Federal Republic
itself, which took place that same year in May.
To mark the occasion, the German national society, the DARC is making an
award available to any amateurs who contact 75 stations across all 24
regional districts until the end of April. One of those contacts must be
with special event stations DP75AFUG, DL75AFUG or DL75AFUV. Shortwave
listeners may also participate under the same rules.
Congratulations to our friends in Germany on this Diamond anniversary.
This is Jeremy Boot G4NJH.
(DX NEWS, RADIO DARC)
PAUL/ANCHOR: For the full story behind this historic law and a fascinating
account of how radio amateurs in Germany used ham radio creativity and house
bricks to advocate for the law in Germany, see the Amateur Radio Newsline
website. Under the tab that reads "Extra," you'll find the story in
translation from the original German.
**
WORLD OF DX
In the World of DX, look out for the EI DX Group's DXpedition to Maseru,
Lesotho. Operators are on the air as 7P8EI until the 29th of March on 160-10
metres. They are using CW, SSB and digital modes See QRZ.com for QSL
details.
T32EU, a group of German DXpeditioners are operating from East Kiribati
until the 27th of March despite several knock-backs. They are running three
stations around the clock on 160 through 6 metres, using CW, SSB, FT8 and
RTTY. For QSL details and the story so far check qrz.com.
Listen for the Camaguey DX Group using the callsigns T47C and CO9JAB from
Cayo Romano, Cuba, IOTA Number NA-086, on the 29th and 31st of March. The
team of 9 will be using CW, SSB and the digital modes on 80, 40, 20, 15 and
10 metres. QSL directly to IK2DUW. QSOs will be uploaded to LoTW.
Celebrate the 135th anniversary of the Eiffel Tower's formal inauguration by
making a contact with Michel, F8GGZ. He will be using the special callsign
TM135TE from the 24th to the 31st of March. QSL via the bureau.
Listen for Jean-Luc, F1ULQ, operating as TO1Q (TEE OH 1 Q) from Guadeloupe,
IOTA Number NA-102, from the 25th of March to the 7th of April. Listen for
his signal on the HF bands and 6 metres where he will be using SSB and FT8.
He may be active as well on some satellites. See QRZ.com for QSL details.
(425 DX BULLETIN)
**
KICKER: NOW, VOYAGER: PROBE IS POISED FOR A COMEBACK
PAUL/ANCHOR: We end this week by looking forward into deep space where
NASA's Voyager 1 probe has suffered communication problems recently. Now, it
seems, there is hope things can be fixed and communications can be restored.
Neil Rapp WB9VPG takes us along on that voyage.
NEIL: Could the troubled deep-space probe Voyager 1 - which scientists had
feared was failing - possibly have a second act after all? NASA had feared
the worst when Voyager's transmissions began sending garbled data four
months ago, suggesting problems had developed with the Flight Data
Subsystem. On March 1st, NASA scientists tried something different: They
transmitted a command prompt to direct the spacecraft to use different
sequences in its firmware in case some corruption had occurred. The result
was unexpected - a Flight Data Subsystem download that engineers were
actually able to decode. They are now studying the data for clues to what
may have happened.
Once the scientists solve the mystery behind what is troubling the mission,
they will know if Voyager still has miles to go before its final sleep.
It's a moment of hope for NASA, which treasures the nearly 50 years of the
Voyager mission. It's also a moment of some pride for one science
journalist. She reported recently on the Voyager mission and its connections
to the pioneering radio astronomer Frank Drake. The late radio astronomer,
considered the father of the search for signs of life beyond Earth, is the
father of that very same journalist, Nadia Drake. No doubt she is joining
NASA in rooting for Voyager.
This is Neil Rapp WB9VPG.
(ARS TECHNICA, HACKADAY, LIVESCIENCE.COM)
**
DO YOU HAIKU?
Don't forget the Amateur Radio Newsline haiku challenge. If you're not too
busy tuning your antennas or chasing the latest DXpedition, pick up a pencil
and share your experience by sending an original haiku to us here at
Newsline. Use the entry form on our website, arnewsline.org and please
follow the rules for writing your three-line haiku -- sorry but we cannot
accept any entries that aren't written in traditional haiku form. Share with
fellow listeners the poetry that is inspired by your ham radio experience!
NEWSCAST CLOSE: With thanks to Ars Technica; the Australian Communications
and Media Authority; Amateur Radio Daily; ARRL; BFF.FM; CQ Magazine; David
Behar K7DB; DXNews; DXWorld; 425DXNews; Hackaday; Irish Radio Transmitters
Society; LiveScience.com; QRZ.com; Radio Competitor; Radio D. A. R. C.;
Radio Society of Sri Lanka; Satellite Today; SFGate.com; shortwaveradio.de;
Yahoo Finance website; 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 Paul Braun WD9GCO in
Valparaiso Indiana saying 73. As always we thank you for listening. Amateur
Radio Newsline(tm) is Copyright 2024. All rights reserved.
73 de Bill, PY2BIL
PY2BIL@PY2BIL.SP.BRA.SOAM
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------+
BBS: PY2BIL - Timed 22-mar-2024 08:41 E. South America Standard Time
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