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Subj: Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2443 for Friday August 23rd,
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Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2443 for Friday August 23rd, 2024
Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2443 with a release date of Friday,
August 23rd, 2024 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.
The following is a QST. A Chinese rocket spews fragments of debris into
space. A new repeater fills an emcoms gap in Canada -- and Newsline
celebrates this year's Young Ham of the Year in Huntsville. All this and
more as Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2443 comes your way right now.
**
BILLBOARD CART
**
MALFUNCTION ON ROCKET'S UPPER STAGE SCATTERS SPACE DEBRIS
NEIL/ANCHOR: We begin this week's report with a rocket launch that has
created a mess in space. The recent launch of China's Long March 6A rocket,
which sent 18 broadband Internet satellites into polar orbit, has added to
the proliferation of space debris. A malfunction of the rocket's upper stage
sent more than 700 fragments into a high orbit of 800 kilometres. According
to a report by the AMSAT News Service, their orbital decay will take at
least 25 years.
The satellites themselves are part of the new constellation by Shanghai
Spacecom Satellite Technology. Known as "Thousand Sails," the constellation
is expected to expand to include as many as 14,000 satellites. It is
considered a direct competitor to Starlink, Project Kuiper and OneWeb.
(AMSAT NEWS)
**
INTERNATIONAL YLS RENEW FRIENDSHIPS AFTER 5 YEARS
NEIL/ANCHOR: Friendships are high on the list of things many of us value in
amateur radio, and a recent get-together in Europe for one group of YLs
marked a chance to renew that sisterhood - and to get on the air, of course.
Jeremy Boot G4NJH has that story.
JEREMY: Five summers after they first successfully celebrated their
friendship and shared love of amateur radio, an international group of 22
YLs returned to the contest station in Moravia, in the Czech Republic, where
it had all begun.
Eva, HB9FPM, believed it was time for an even bigger event at the top class
contest station OK5Z, where YLs from 11 nations gathered between the 4th and
the 10th of August.
Using the callsign OL88YL, they chased DX from the massive antenna farm,
taking time off to learn to build dipoles of their own under the guidance of
Markus HB9HVG and Andreas, HB9JOE. The 20- and 15-metre antennas were then
tested the next two days days at three SOTA summits that were also part of
the Worldwide Fauna and Flora Awards scheme.
There were moments of celebration too, when Hans PB2T of the Yasme
Foundation presented their Yasme Excellence Award to Raisa, R1BIG, for her
promotion of amateur radio on her YouTube channel.
When not on the air, the YLs toured places rich with the region's cultural
history. For those traveling from Poland, Japan, Luxembourg, Turkey, the UK,
the Russian Federation and elsewhere, the long five-year wait to be together
again ended happily.
This is Jeremy Boot G4NJH.
NEIL/ANCHOR: For a short look at how the YLs spent their time, follow the
link in the text version of this week's newscast at arnewsline.org
[DO NOT READ: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/qzwii079dYc ]
(EVA, HB9FPM; RAISA, R1BIG)
**
TWO AMSAT ORGANIZATION EVENTS SET FOR OCTOBER
NEIL/ANCHOR: Two AMSAT organizations are planning major gatherings in
October, spaced just two weeks apart. Kevin Trotman N5PRE tells us about
them both.
KEVIN: Satellite enthusiasts have a busy two weekends in October, starting
with the AMSAT-UK Space Colloquium and Annual General Meeting being held on
the 12th and 13th of October at the same time the Radio Society of Great
Britain holds its convention. Organizers have said they will release details
about the topics being covered closer to the event.
Meanwhile, registration has opened for the 42nd Annual AMSAT Space Symposium
and Annual General Meeting which is taking place in Tampa, Florida on the
25th and 26th of October. The weekend will also include an AMSAT Ambassador
breakfast on the morning of October 27th.
Organizers are looking for presenters on a variety of topics for the
symposium and are asking anyone interested to immediately submit a working
title for their talk. Final copies of the presentations are due no later
than the 18th of October so they can be included in the proceedings. Send
all submissions to Dan Schultz, N8FGV at n8fgv at usa dot net
(n8fgv@usa.net). The symposium will be held on Saturday the 26th, the same
day as the Annual General Meeting.
This is Kevin Trotman N5PRE.
(AMSAT NEWS SERVICE)
**
VOA TO SHUT MARIANA ISLANDS SHORTWAVE OPERATION
NEIL/ANCHOR: The Voice of America has announced plans to cease operations in
the Northern Mariana Islands. We have more on that story from Ralph
Squillace KK6ITB.
RALPH: Citing a shrinking listener audience, high costs of operation and
lingering damages inflicted by a Category 5 super typhoon in October of
2018, the Voice of America has decided to discontinue transmissions from its
shortwave station in the Northern Mariana Islands. The Saipan and Tinian
sites being silenced are part of the Robert E. Kamosa Transmitting Station.
The United States Agency for Global Media has made use of the station for
multi-language programs from Voice of America and Radio Free Asia.
William Martin, director of the US Agency for Global Media's transmitting
stations and operations division, said in a public statement: [quote] "After
decades of operation, these facilities are being phased out as shortwave
audiences migrate to other media. Although these closures mark the end of an
era, they are also bittersweet, as in closing these stations we also say
farewell to the people and communities that supported our mission for so
many years." [endquote] Martin himself had been the station manager from
2013 to 2019.
The Saipan site started broadcasting in 1982; Tinian, in 1999.
This is Ralph Squillace KK6ITB.
(RADIO WORLD)
**
SILENT KEY: N1MM LOGGER TEAM'S LAURENCE WILLIAM GAUTHIER Jr., K8UT
NEIL/ANCHOR: A longtime member of the development team for the N1MM logger
has become a Silent Key. We hear about him from Dave Parks WB8ODF.
DAVE: Laurence William Gauthier, Jr., K8UT, was a DXer. a software expert
both professionally and in ham radio, and an involved, community-minded
Michigan resident. An accomplished and award-winning DXer, he was also
deeply committed, outside of radio, to such activities as Scouting and
assisting community nonprofits with their websites.
Larry became a Silent Key on the 13th of August.
First licensed as a ham since 1968 with the callsign WB8BGO, Larry strove to
harness the software expertise of his professional career to assist his
fellow ham radio operators. He became a part of the team that developed the
popular N1MM logger most recently offered his support by helping to keep the
documentation up-to-date and maintaining the website. He belonged to the
South East Michigan DX Association and the South Lyon Amateur Radio Club.
Larry was 73.
This is Dave Parks WB8ODF.
(THE DETROIT NEWS, N1MM WEBSITE)
**
SILENT KEY: NOTED DXER RON FALCONER, ZL4RMF
NEIL/ANCHOR: Amateurs in New Zealand and DXers around the globe are mourning
the loss of a noted DXer and friend. We hear about him from Jim Meachen
ZL2BHF.
JIM: Like most other accomplished DXers, Ron Falconer, ZL4RMF, was well-
known for a signal that circled the globe. He was also known for an equally
strong devotion to the contacts he made. Friends say Ron was never one to
chase awards; what he valued were the many QSOs and the bonds that grew out
of them.
Ron, who had ongoing health issues with pulmonary fibrosis attributed to a
lifetime of farming, became a Silent Key on the 3rd of August, according to
his nephew, Murray Falconer.
His friend and fellow team member for the NZART Jock White Field Day, John
Graham, ZL4RO, recalled Ron as [quote] "a DXer, contester, net master and
rag chewing expert." [endquote] Friends recalled that Ron became known for
his carefully set up shack in the pursuit of the joy of DX. John wrote:
[quote] "His callsign often appeared on the QRZ DX list. No mean feat to
achieve. Many hams visiting New Zealand made a point of coming to visit Ron
at his QTH. They were made very welcome, and a shack tour was mandatory."
[endquote] Allan Hayes, ZL4MD, said that Ron had more than 10,000 confirmed
contacts across 161 countries. His friends worldwide were the awards he
earned - and he always took time to nurture a love for radio in younger
operators. Martin Balch, ZL4JH, secretary of NZART's Otago Branch, said Ron
might even take a visit to the UHF/VHF bands if communication help was
needed locally, such as at a car rally.
His nephew Murray said that in the end, Ron was cared for at home by his
nieces and nephews as his health worsened. Murray said that this enabled him
to [quote] "continue his radio passion right up to and including the day he
passed." [endquote]
Ron died just short of his 72nd birthday.
This is Jim Meachen ZL2BHF.
(MURRAY FALCONER)
**
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.
**
CELEBRATING OUR YOUNG HAM OF THE YEAR IN HUNTSVILLE
NEIL/ANCHOR: Newsline met up with Grace Papay, K8LG, in Huntsville
recently. Listen as Don Wilbanks, AE5DW, tells us how we celebrated this
year's Young Ham of the Year.
DON: On Saturday, August 17th it was my honor to present the 2024 Bill
Pasternak WA6ITF Amateur Radio Newsline Young Ham of the Year award to 18
year old Grace Papay, K8LG at the Huntsville Hamfest.
GRACE: "Thank you so much, thank you everybody. I really want to give a
shout out to the West Chester Amateur Radio Association who nominated me for
this award. I didn't realize they had nominated me. I'm really proud of that
club as well as many others, the Holland Amateur Radio Club. They support me
and everything. I'll be attending Cedarville University studying electrical
engineering, and amateur radio really has impacted my choice and career."
DON: Grace exemplifies the spirit of the award, recognizing youth who are
using amateur radio to further the state of the hobby and make the world a
better place. Newsline's founder, Bill Pasternak, would be very proud of
Grace, as we all are. Many thanks go out to our corporate underwriters who
make it possible for us to continue Bill's vision. Yaesu USA, Heil Ham Radio
and RadioWavz antennas. Also, our thanks to the Huntsville Hamfest committee
and volunteers for giving the award a home since 1993.
If you know of a young radio amateur who you feel is deserving, we encourage
you to nominate them for the 2025 award. The nominations will open up on
March 1st. of next year, and we hope to see you at the presentation next
year on August 16th. in Huntsville, Alabama.
Congratulations Grace, and welcome to the Newsline Young Ham of the Year
family. We couldn't be more proud!
I'm Don Wilbanks, AE5DW.
**
LIGHTHOUSE ACTIVATIONS LIGHT UP THE AIRWAVES
NEIL/ANCHOR: With International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend concluded
for 2024, organizer Kevin Mulcahy VK2CE reports that operators are already
making plans for next year and have registered 30 lighthouses so far. He
said that entries from the US, Germany, Aruba, Trinidad and Tobago were on
this year's list, as were four entries from Israel near the west bank of the
Gaza strip. Kevin said that he was pleased to have had 400 entries this year
given the conflicts and unrest around the world. He told Newsline [quote]:
"Another big plus for ham radio and lighthouses." [endquote]
**
HAM CLUB'S NEW REPEATER STATION TO SERVE EMCOMM
NEIL/ANCHOR: An amateur radio club has helped fill a gap in an emergency
communications network in British Columbia with a much-needed repeater. We
have that story from Andy Morrison K9AWM.
ANDY: A missing piece in emergency communication for the valley and back
country surrounding Canada's Wells Gray Provincial Park has finally been put
into place. A new repeater station is up and running after hours of work by
members of the Wells Gray Amateur Radio Club in Clearwater. It has become a
vital part of a network that already serves such communities as Upper
Clearwater, Mahood Lake and Clearwater Lake in the event of rescues,
missing-persons reports or natural disasters. The park itself is in a wild
natural area in the Thompson Nicola Region of interior British Columbia.
The hams provide communication support to first responders such as those in
the Upper Clearwater Volunteer Fire Brigade. The communication network also
serves the Blackpool Fire Rescue and other fire departments around the
valley.
The club treasurer, Cliff Olson, VE7EIN, told the Clearwater Times website
that having a more robust system allows for better network planning.
This is Andy Morrison K9AWM.
(CLEARWATER TIMES)
**
NEW ZEALAND MAKES DEBUT IN HEMA AWARDS SCHEME
NEIL/ANCHOR: Competitors in the awards scheme known as HEMA [Hee-MUH] are
getting ready for a big weekend event at the end of this month. Jeremy Boot
G4NJH tells us what's involved.
JEREMY: Adventure Radio enthusiasts have been waiting for the 31st of August
and the 1st of September - the weekend that marks the official launch of the
HEMA awards programme in New Zealand.
Hams there are making a special effort on this debut weekend to fill their
logs and are hoping for some trans-Tasman H2H contacts with Australian radio
amateurs.
Operators around the world wanting to earn HEMA awards should go to the HEMA
website at hema dot org dot uk (hema.org.uk). The website contains a full
explanation of HEMA and how it works. New Zealand hams will be able also to
upload their logs to ontheair dot nz - that's "on the air" - one word - dot
nz. (ontheair.nz) so they can compare their progress towards awards against
other ZL hams.
This is Jeremy Boot G4NJH.
(MATT, ZL4NVW; HEMA.ORG.UK)
**
WORLD OF DX
In the World of DX, the special callsign 4A2MAX is on the air through the
31st of August in CW, SSB and the digital modes on various bands. The
activation is in remembrance of St. Maximilian Maria Kolbe, SP3RN, the
Franciscan friar killed at Auschwitz by the Nazis on the 14th of August in
1941 after he volunteered to take the place of a condemned Polish army
sergeant. Father Kolbe was a shortwave operator and is considered the patron
saint of amateur radio. For QSL details, visit QRZ.com
Listen for Uli, DO4UB [Dee Oh Four You Bee] who is on the air from Arusha,
Tanzania using the callsign 5H2MUA on 15 and 10 metres SSB. QSL via DO2HQS
[Dee Oh Two H Q Ess].
You can find Adam, M6NXW, on the air as 9G5AS from Breman, Ghana from the
26th of August through to the 5th of September. Adam will be operating QRP
on 20-10 metres using SSB, FT8 and FT4. See QRZ.com for QSL details.
Alex, SQ9UM, is operating holiday style as D4UM from Sal Island, IOTA Number
AF-086, Cape Verde until the 26th of August. Alex, using CW, SSB, FT8 and
FT4, can be found on 80-6 metres. QSL via his home call.
(425 DX BULLETIN)
KICKER: HE'S BRINGING 'HOME BREW' BACK HOME
NEIL/ANCHOR: Our final story is about a broadcast engineer with a lifelong
love of both the professional and amateur side of things. He recently
retired - and was honored for his lifetime of good work. We hear more about
him from Kent Peterson KCØDGY.
KENT: Carl Sampieri, N4NRE, is credited with having built most of the
broadcast stations in the Tennessee Valley.
It was all part of a lifelong vocation from which he recently retired: The
Alabama radio amateur has a long and distinguished career as a broadcast
engineer. This month it earned him the distinction of being Engineer of the
Year, an honor conferred by the Alabama Broadcasters Association.
Carl's lifelong commitment to radio began when he was 18 and got his First
Class Radiotelephone License. Then, entering the US Air Force, he became an
airborne radio repairman.
Commercial radio set the stage for the rest of his life starting in 1967, at
stations WRSA and WSLV. As a military veteran, he moved back to Huntsville,
Alabama to a TV engineering job. He later worked as chief engineer for a
public radio station for almost two decades. When he retired recently, Carl
had been serving as longtime engineer at the cluster of iHeart Radio
stations in Huntsville - for more than a quarter century.
According to his biography on the Alabama Broadcasters Association website,
Carl is now concentrating on doing some renovations to his century-old house
and getting some work done on the pair of amateur radio towers behind the
house. At long last he has the time to put the "home" back into home brew.
This is Kent Peterson KCØDGY.
(RADIO WORLD, ALABAMA BROADCASTERS ASSOCIATION, WIA)
**
JUST SAY 'HI' TO HAIKU
If a good day of radio is like poetry to you, pick up a pencil and join the
Amateur Radio Newsline haiku challenge. 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 the Alabama Broadcasters Association;
Ambarish Nag Biswas, VU2JFA; AMSAT News Service; Amateur Radio Daily; the
ARRL; Clearwater Times; CQ Magazine; David Behar K7DB; Deccan Herald;
425DXNews; HEMA.org.uk; Matt, ZL4NVW; Murray Falconer; NASA; QRZ.com; Radio
World; shortwaveradio.de; Times of India; the 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 Neil Rapp WB9VPG in
Union, Kentucky 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 23-ago-2024 08:01 E. South America Standard Time
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