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PY2BIL > ARNR 24.04.26 13:12l 401 Lines 17659 Bytes #300 (0) @ WW
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Subj: Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2530 for Friday, April 24th, 2
Path: IZ3LSV<IW0QNL<SR1BSZ<EA2RCF<LU9DCE<PY2BIL
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Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2530 for Friday, April 24th, 2026
Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2530 with a release date of Friday,
April 24th, 2026 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.
The following is a QST. The FCC grants a satellite constellation company
the ability to provide cell phone service from space. A popular antenna
maker returns to the ham radio market -- and New Zealand amateurs prepare
to mark the centennial of their national organization. All this and more
as Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2530 comes your way right now.
**
BILLBOARD CART
**
BREAKING NEWS: FCC GRANTS FREQUENCIES' USE FOR SATELLITE SERVICE
JIM/ANCHOR; We begin this week with breaking news. As Newsline prepared
to go to production, the US Federal Communications Commission announced
that it had authorized AST SpaceMobiles full, 248-satellite constellation
to use requested parts of the radio spectrum, including those that had
drawn objections from the amateur radio community.
The agencys move will permit AST to fulfill its goal of providing services
to consumers in so-called “dead zones,” regions without terrestrial networks,
especially for emergency services. The successful application on behalf
of the low-Earth orbit satellite system was granted on the 21st of April
with conditions. The grant for the use of 698 to 960 MHz includes permission
to make use of 430 to 440 MHz for emergency control and tracking of the
satellites - a move that amateur radio operators feared would cause interference
with hams operations.
The FCC said that AST emergency telemetry use will be limited to the
430.5MHz, 432.3MHz, 434.1MHz, 435.9MHz, and 439.5MHz frequencies for
a duration of less than 24 hours. The FCC has said in the past that interference
with ham radio was “unlikely.”
(FCC, PC MAGAZINE AUSTRALIA)
**
STEPPIR ANNOUNCES RETURN TO AMATEUR RADIO MARKET
JIM/ANCHOR: A leading US antenna manufacturer is coming back to the ham
radio marketplace following its departure last summer. Travis Lisk N3ILS
picks up the story from here.
TRAVIS: SteppIR, which announced last summer that it was halting production
of its popular antennas for the amateur radio market, is returning to
the ham radio business.
A recent statement on the website of the Washington State company said
that although SteppIR had decided last year to focus on commercial sales,
recent favorable developments in that sector are permitting the company
to resume supplying hams with antenna kits, parts and accessories as
before. The ham radio market is to be served only by online sales.
SteppIR said that the commercial side of its business may lead to the
introduction of new products for amateur radio. Its statement acknowledged
that its earlier decision was made [quote] "in search of more stable
long-term income sources" [endquote] but said that SteppIR never gave
up the hope that it would go back to serving amateur radio operators
in some way.
This is Travis Lisk N3ILS.
(STEPPIR, QRZ.COM, AMATEUR RADIO DAILY, STEVE STROH N8GNJ)
**
FREQUENCIES IDENTIFIED FOR EXPANDING 6G ON 2.7 GHz BAND
JIM/ANCHOR: Plans are moving ahead for 6G services to expand on the
2.7 GHz band, as we learn from Kent Peterson KCØDGY.
KENT: The promise of creating space for 6G communications on the 2.7
GHz band has moved closer to reality in the US, following the band's
successful technical review by the National Telecommunications and Information
Administration, part of the US Department of Commerce.
The NTIA had been mandated to find room for full-power commercial licensed
use on the band, which already has a pair of primary users - the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Federal Aviation Administraction.
The NTIA issued a press release stating that it is assisting both agencies
to make sure that radar systems, weather monitoring and aviation safety
technology will not be vulnerable to interference.
Arielle Roth, the NTIA administrator, said [quote] "This milestone brings
us one step closer to ensuring the American people realize the full benefit
of this spectrum as quickly as possible." [endquote]
A report last year by the Global System for Mobile Communications Association
cautioned that communication capacity will be challenged by 2030 unless
more midband is identified for 6G use.
This is Kent Peterson KCØDGY.
(NATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS & INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION, TELECOMPETITOR)
**
MODERN RADIOS TO LIGHT UP BESIDE HISTORIC MILLS
JIM/ANCHOR: The Nunsfield House Amateur Radio Group wants everyone to
know that where there's a mill.....there's a way. So get ready to activate
some of these historic sites - or chase operators who are there. Dave
Lee M7TLB tells us how.
DAVE: Windmills. Watermills. Tidal Mills. Even Horse Mills.
Historic sites like these, scattered throughout the UK, are celebrated
annually in early May by the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings.
In 1996, the former Denby Dale Radio Society joined that effort by creating
the Mills on the Air special event which, this year, takes place on Saturday
the 9th of May and Sunday the 10th of May.
The Nunsfield House Amateur Radio Group, who organise this event now,
stress that this not a contest but a recognition of the historical importance
of each of these sites. Hams wishing to call CQ from any of these sites
need to register on the event website and provide full information in
the online form. Operators must, of course, secure permission from each
of the mills to operate there.
Of course, there will be awards - and shortwave listeners are encouraged
to participate as well. This year, the organisers are asking that all
award applicants consider making a donation to their local historic mill
or directly to the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings.
For details about registering or to find out more about logging contacts,
visit nharg.org.uk
Meanwhile, the Society has been collecting stories from volunteers, owners
or even amateur historians about the various mills in the UK, Ireland
or Europe and how they evolved. The stories will be published in a book.
Submission deadline is the 1st of May, Visit the society website at spab.org.uk
for information on how to contribute.
This is Dave Lee M7TLB.
(SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF ANCIENT BUILDINGS, NUNSFIELD HOUSE AMATEUR
RADIO GROUP)
**
ARRL HONORS OFFICER FOR SERVICE TO PENNSYLVANIA CLUB
JIM/ANCHOR: Congratulations to Bill Power KB3WP who was honored recently
by the ARRL for his long service to the Two Rivers Amateur Radio Club
in Pennsylvania. Bill, who has been secretary for the past three years,
had been nominated for the Gilbert Crossley Award for Exemplary Club
Leadership by club president Jim Bricker, N3JHB. Jim told Newsline that
Bill's history of handling club correspondence as well as members' questions,
with kindness and accuracy and his willingness to help whenever needed
inspired him to nominate him for the honor. The presentation was made
by ARRL Western Pennsylvania Manager, Joe Shupienis W3BC.
(JIM BRICKER, N3JHB)
**
ONE HUNDRED REASONS TO ATTEND NEW ZEALAND CONVENTION
JIM D/ANCHOR: There are 100 reasons why hams in New Zealand are planning
to attend this year's conference of the New Zealand Association of Radio
Transmitters. One hundred reasons - one for each year the association
has served radio operators. Jim Meachen ZL2BHF explains why this as much
a celebration as a conference.
JIM M: An annual conference comes along every year but a centennial
conference only comes along every 100 years - once in a lifetime. The
New Zealand Association of Radio Transmitters will be honouring its past
and looking toward its future on the 30th and 31st of May in Auckland
as guests gather for the milestone centennial conference.
The ham radio spirit of experimentation will acknowledge the earliest
adventures in wireless and will explore the way today's hams test our
advanced digital technologies.
Presentations will tell NZART's story from its earliest origins. NZART
members who pay for a full registration to the conference will receive
a free copy of an illustrated book that tells the association's history.
Other copies will also be available to purchase.
Registration has opened and visitors who book their accommodations before
the 26th of April will be eligible for discounted rates.
Details are available from the link that appears in the text version
of this week's newscast at arnewsline.org
This is Jim Meachen ZL2BHF.
[DO NOT READ: https://nzart100conference.nzart.org.nz/ ]
(NZART)
BREAK HERE: Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur
Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including
the WR2ABA repeater system of the Larkfield Amateur Radio Club in Huntington,
New York, on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. local time.
**
SILENT KEY: FORMER ARI PRESIDENT GRAZIANO SARTORI, IØSSH
JIM/ANCHOR: A longtime radio amateur is being remembered for his leadership
in the national amateur radio society of Italy and a variety of other
significant contributions to ham radio in that nation. Jason Daniels
VK2LAW tells us about him.
JASON: Graziano Sartori, IØSSH, served the ARI, Italy's national ham
radio society, first as vice president of the Rome section and later,
as the national president. He is credited with developing the first database
of Italy's amateur radio callsigns. Joining in a long-running campaign
with international amateur radio organisations, Graziano was a vocal
proponent for having Morse Code listed as an Intangible Cultural Heritage
element with UNESCO.
Graziano died on the 8th of April. A tribute to him on the ARI website
described him as a leader whose actions and personal interest in his
fellow hams made him effective in his various roles throughout his long
association with the organisation.
He was 89.
This is Jason Daniels VK2LAW.
(ARI, QRZ.COM)
**
NOMINATE NEWSLINE'S NEXT YOUNG HAM OF THE YEAR
JIM/ANCHOR One day, a promising young ham is going to make headlines
for his or her contributions to amateur radio. It all begins here, with
the Amateur Radio Newsline Bill Pasternak WA6ITF Memorial Young Ham of
the Year award. So don't forget: You only have until the 31st of May
to tell us about a promising young ham who is already making a difference
in a big way. Nominees must be licensed hams who are 18 years of age
or younger and they must reside in the continental United States.
Visit our website – arnewsline-dot-org and find the nomination form under
the awards tab. Submit the documentation that tells us how your nominee
has played an important role, not just in the community of fellow amateurs
but in the community at large.
**
ARDC NEEDS TECHNICAL WRITER, SOFTWARE DEVELOPER
JIM/ANCHOR: Amateur Radio Digital Communications is looking to fill two
part-time contract positions to support its ongoing work and software
development. Daniel Garcia W2DIY tells us more about the jobs.
DANIEL: ARDC has remote positions open for a software developer and a
technical writer who are experienced professionals familiar with Free
and Open Source projects. Both jobs are open to active amateur radio
operators.
The software developer is expected to be involved in bug fixes, code
review and deployment and be capable ot writing documentation that is
developer focused. JavaScript, CSS, HTML, MySQL, PHP and Linux fluency
is required. Candidates must have had prior experience with either ARDC
or 44Net.
The technical writer must be capable of writing for a public audience
on topics relating to digital communications and amateur radio. A record
of previously published articles is considered a plus.
Both positions report to ARDC's Technical Director.
For more details about requirements for these jobs, which carry a two-month
renewable contract, see the links in the text version of this week's
newscast at arnewsline.org
[DO NOT READ: https://www.ardc.net/ardc-is-hiring-software-developer/
]
[DO NOT READ: https://www.ardc.net/ardc-is-hiring-technical-writer/
]
This is Daniel Garcia W2DIY.
(ARDC)
**
RSGB HEADQUARTERS STATION WELCOMES GUEST OPS IN JULY
JIM/ANCHOR: If you've ever wanted to operate as part of the headquarters
station of the Radio Society of Great Britain - and if you're planning
to be in the UK in July - now's your chance to get on board, as we hear
from Jeremy Boot G4NJH.
JEREMY: Guest operators are being invited to get on the air this July
as part of station GR2HQ, the Radio Society of Great Britain's headquarters
team in the IARU HF World Championship contest. With many of the station's
regular operators involved instead this year in assisting with the World
Radiosport Team Championship, opportunities are now available for visiting
operators.
In a notice in the WRTC2026 groups.io discussion, Nick Totterdell, G4FAL,
chairman of the RSGB HF Contest Committee, said that the invitation to
join the headquarters team station is extended only to those radio operators
who are not committed to supporting the WRTC during the contest period.
There is a good choice of locations throughout the UK. A maximum of 12
stations will be using the callsign GR2HQ in the IARU event from such
locations in Wales, Scotland and England on the six contest bands.
Nick said that operating will be done in shifts at the various sites,
most of which will be in members' homes. Some locations will also be
operating "field-day" style.
Interested radio operators should send an email to contestclub at rsgbcc
dot org. That's contestclub - one word - at rsgbcc dot org.
This is Jeremy Boot G4NJH.
(GROUPS.IO)
**
WORLD OF DX
Listen for Arnaud, F4AGG, and Luc, F5RAV, using the callsigns C5D and
C5C respectively, from The Gambia between the 24th of April and the 8th
of May. C5D will be active on RTTY, PSK and FT8 and C5C will be using
SSB and CW. They are also scheduling an activation on the Bijol Islands,
IOTA Number AF-060, where they will be using the callsign C5B and operating
via satellite RS-44.
A group of operators from Belgium will be using the callsign GB9IOW (G
B 9 EYE OH W) from the Isle of Wight, IOTA Number EU-120, from the 28th
of April through to the 5th of May. They will be operating SSB, CW and
digital modes on the HF bands and 6 metres as well as via the QO-100
satellite and 23 cm moonbounce.
Listen for Mitsuru, JE1HXZ, using the callsign JE1HXZ/6 from Kuchino
Island in theTokara Islands, IOTA Number AS-049, on the 21st through
to the 28th of April. He will be active using CW, SSB, RTTY and FT8/FT4
on the HF bands and 6 metres.
For QSL information and other details about any of these stations, visit
their pages on QRZ.com
(425 DX BULLETIN)
**
KICKER: HAM CLUB'S LIBRARY LOAN ISN'T DONE BY THE BOOK
JIM DAMRON/ANCHOR: Few things symbolize the generous spirit of lending
more than a library. It houses wisdom, entertainment and life lessons,
offering it all freely to borrowers as a community service. In Arizona,
one amateur radio club has turned that definition inside out - by being
the ones making a loan to the library instead. Jim Davis W2JKD has this
week's final story.
JIM DAVIS: Now here's a library loan that any ham could appreciate: Some
rigs and other shack equipment - all in good repair and functioning -
showcased so the folks in Prescott, Arizona, can see what all this radio
fuss and excitement is about.
The borrower is the Prescott Public Library. The lender is the Yavapai
Amateur Radio Club. Acting on a suggestion from club member Jim Zimmerman,
N6KZ, the club offered to design a display area that is used by organizations
on a temporary basis inside the library. The equipment has been on display
through April, accompanied by details that explain what ham radio operators
do -- and why.
Jim told Newsline in an email: [quote] "We are hoping to get some middle
[and] high school student interest, as we have a nice club station, W7YRC,
that we can show the kids how to operate." [endquote] He said a few youngsters
have already asked about becoming hams and even the library staff has
been intrigued.
If things go according to plan, the club may consider returning with
another display next year. But for now, like library books themselves,
the exhibit has an expiration date which, in this case, is the 30th of
April. So for now, it's on borrowed time.
This is Jim Davis, W2JKD
(JIM ZIMMERMAN, N6KZ; WIA)
**
NEWSCAST CLOSE
With thanks to Amateur Radio Daily, AMSAT News; ARDC; ARI; David Behar,
K7DB; FCC; 425DX News; Jim Bricker N3JHB, Jim Zimmerman, N6KZ; National
Telecommunications & Information Administration; Nunsfield House Amateur
Radio Group; NZART; PC Magazine Australia; QRZ.com Forums; Radio Society
of Great Britain; shortwaveradio.de; Society for the Protection of Ancient
Buildings; Telecompetitor; Wireless Institute of Australia; 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 Jim Damron N8TMW in Charleson West Virginia
saying 73. As always we thank you for listening. Amateur Radio Newsline(tm)
is Copyright 2026. Amateur Radio Newsline retains ownership of its material
even when retransmitted elsewhere. All rights are reserved.
73 de Bill, PY2BIL
PY2BIL@PY2BIL.SP.BRA.SOAM
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