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PY2BIL > ARNR 16.05.25 14:47l 323 Lines 18119 Bytes #293 (0) @ WW
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Subj: Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2481 for Friday, May 16th, 202
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Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2481 for Friday, May 16th, 2025
Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2481 with a release date of Friday, May 16th, 2025 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1
The following is a QST. The IARU looks to merge its independent regions. Record numbers turn out for a ham
radio exam in Bangladesh -- and the ARRL asks the FCC again to increase Technician privileges on HF. All this
and more as Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2481 comes your way right now.
**
BILLBOARD CART
**
IARU OUTLINES RE-ENGINEERED VISION, ELIMINATING REGIONAL ENTITIES
DON/ANCHOR: Our top story this week is the International Amateur Radio Union. Marking 100 years of representing
member countries around the world and coordinating frequencies and other concerns, the organization enters its
second century with one big change on its mind. We have those details from Graham Kemp VK4BB.
GRAHAM: Imagine, for a moment, an IARU without separate entities known as Region 1, Region, 2 and Region 3.
Imagine a total restructuring that would create a single global entity, erasing the discrete regions separated
by oceans, languages and cultures.
The IARU has announced that it is considering just that and has released a proposal to unite the independent
regions as one, combined with the International Secretariat, to streamline decision-making, to better
coordinate shared concerns and to bolster membership in regions where it is declining. The IARU's
administrative headquarters is presently based at the ARRL in the United States.
The IARU has released guidance on potential restructuring to help the organization meet modern challenges. The
proposed changes would combine the 3 separate regional organizations into a single global entity.
The proposal (PDF) outlines a number of areas where the currently independent, regional organizations struggle.
Problem areas include declining membership, duplication of resources, lack of coordination, and other various
inefficiencies. The changes are designed to establish a number of benefits:
This overwhelming change would not happen overnight, of course. The IARU will be asking member societies to
vote after they have reviewed the consultation on restructuring, which is available on the IARU website. Any
changes that are approved would not take place before next year.
This is Graham Kemp VK4BB.
(IARU)
**
UNIVERSITY IN ROME LOGS QSOs TO WELCOME NEW POPE
DON/ANCHOR: If you were lucky enough to work HV5PUL in Rome recently, you were part of this small university-
based station's celebration that a new pope had been elected. Jeremy Boot G4NJH tells us about the activation.
JEREMY: Two days after the conclave of cardinals had elected Pope Leo XIV, amateur radio station HV5PUL - the
Pontifical Lateran University - was on the air in the Vatican City State in the heart of Rome, celebrating. The
station's administrator, Luca Della Giovampaola, IWØDJB, reported that traffic was lively on 20 metres SSB and
17 metres FT8. He said that the simple 100-watt station logged an estimated 400 contacts in four hours.
Propagation was challenging and so, with the exception of one Japanese station , all the contacts were within
Europe.
It's not often a new pope is chosen nor that HV5PUL is put on the air. Luca said the callsign is active mainly
on Saturdays in connection with special occasions, such as the opening day of the university's academic year --
and of course, the election of a new pope.
This is Jeremy Boot G4NJH.
(LUCA DELLA GIOVAMPAOLA, IWØDJB)
**
HISTORIC TURNOUT FOR BANGLADESH HAM RADIO EXAM
DON/ANCHOR: Amateur radio test-taking hit an all-time high among candidates in Bangladesh recently. John
Williams VK4JJW is here to explain what happened.
JOHN: A record number of candidates showed up to take Bangladesh's amateur radio exam on Friday, May 9th, a
total estimated at more than 900 participants. The Amateur Radio Society of Bangladesh said on its website that
[quote] "this remarkable figure represents the highest number of participants ever recorded for an amateur
radio exam in Bangladesh's history." [endquote]
Weeks of preparation had gone into preparing candidates for the exam by offering online seminars as well as in-
person training and workshops. There was also a field day as well as classes in basic electronics and antenna-
building. The amateur radio society said there was great support from the Bangladesh Vespa Community, a
community-service group of motorised-scooter enthusiasts - many of whom also took the exam, which was organised
by the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission.
It was not yet known how many of the candidates were successful in getting their licence.
This is John Williams VK4JJW.
(AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY OF BANGLADESH)
**
SILENT KEY: THE QSO RADIO SHOW'S TED RANDALL, WB8PUM
DON: Ted Randall, WB8PUM, host and founder of the QSO Radio Show heard on shortwave stations WTWW and WRMI
passed away on Sunday, May 11th after a long illness. Born Ted Randall Klimkowski in Dearborn Heights,
Michigan, Ted graduated from Robichaud High School in 1969. Ted was a broadcast engineer in Detroit and, later,
Nashville. His sons, David and Matt, are also engineers.
Ted was known for his deep voice and velvety delivery on the QSO Radio Show. If it was of interest to amateurs,
Ted covered it. He also covered the paranormal. He said "if it flies over your head and can't be identified or
goes bump in the night, we talk about it." He did several live shows from just outside the gates of Area 51 in
Nevada.
Ted was a huge supporter of the Amateur Radio Newsline Bill Pasternak WA6ITF Young Ham of the Year award.
During his live broadcasts from the Huntsville Hamfest, the QSO Radio Show was usually the first stop after the
presentation for a sit down on air with Ted. He also did live broadcasts from the Dayton Hamvention.
For several years, the Ham Nation television audio was simulcast by Ted on WTWW.
He is survived by his wife Holly and two sons. Fittingly, he was 73 years of age.
**
ARRL'S RENEWED CALLS TO FCC INCLUDE PLEA FOR TECHNICIANS' HF PRIVILEGES
DON/ANCHOR: The FCC's recent request for suggestions about eliminating or modifying any and all regulations has
become an opportunity for the ARRL to renew some of its recent proposals to the regulator, as we hear from Andy
Morrison K9AWM.
ANDY: The ARRL has renewed an earlier plea that the FCC grant HF privileges to Technician class radio amateurs.
The revival of this proposed change is prominent on a long list the league has drawn up for the commission,
responding to the federal government's goal to eliminate certain FCC regulations or guidelines. The league is
asking that Technicians gain phone privileges on 80 metres, 40 metres and 15 metres along with RTTY and digital
privileges. This is not the only previous petition the league is pressing for as part of the commission's
announced changes. It is also asking that sub-band boundaries be adjusted on 80 and 75 metres to correct what
it calls an "imbalance" that doesn't reflect the increased presence of digital operations. The ARRL is also
underscoring its belief that baud rate and bandwidth limitations should be eliminated on certain amateur LF and
VHF/UHF bands. This FCC initiative was announced in its Further Notice of Proposed Rule making in 2023.
The FCC initiative was contained in its Docket Number 25-133 which has been referred to as the "Delete, Delete,
Delete" docket.
This is Andy Morrison K9AWM.
(RADIOWORLD, FCC)
**
HAMS EXEMPT FROM SOUTH CAROLINA LAW BANNING HANDHELDS
DON/ANCHOR: There's good news for hams in South Carolina, where a new law will ban most handheld devices from
use behind the wheel of a moving vehicle. Kevin Trotman N5PRE has those details.
KEVIN: South Carolina is about to become the 32nd state in the US to exempt amateur radio operators from a law
that bans drivers of motor vehicles from using hand-held devices.
After it is signed into law by Gov. Henry McMaster, the measure is to take effect on September 1st. Although it
prohibits drivers from using portable computers, GPS receives, mobile phones, electronic games or other
communication devices, the bill exempts operators of amateur, citizens bad, commercial and emergency radios.
Members of the state Senate and House of Representatives passed different versions of the Hands-Free and
Distracted Driving Act earlier this year - overwhelmingly. They recently agreed to resolve the differences in
both versions and send it in its final form, to the governor.
A similar law in Iowa - also with a ham radio exemption - is set to take effect on the 1st of July, joining a
growing number of states around the US.
This is Kevin Trotman N5PRE.
(SCSTATEHOUSE.GOV; WYFF CHANNEL 4, WIS-TV)
**
HAMS EXEMPT FROM DISTRACTED-DRIVING LAW THAT BEGINS JUNE 5
DON/ANCHOR: A similar law takes effect on the 5th of June in Pennsylvania, where drivers will be banned from
using handheld mobile devices while behind the wheel of a moving car. As with many distracted-driving laws
passed recently, this law also exempts amateur radio operators and emergency responders. The measure is known
as Paul Miller’s Law, bearing the name of the 21-year-old man struck and killed by a motorist distracted by a
phone in 2010.
(COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA)
**
BREAK HERE: Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin
stations around the world, including the K5VOM repeater in Greenville, Texas on Mondays at 7:30 p.m.
**
NOMINATE OUR NEXT YOUNG HAM OF THE YEAR
DON/ANCHOR: Nominations close on the 31st of this month for Newsline's Bill Pasternak Memorial Young Ham of the
Year Award. Do you know a promising young amateur who is a potential candidate? Consider nominating an amateur
radio operator 18 years of age or younger here in the continental United States. If they have talent, promise
and a commitment to the spirit of ham radio they might just be this year's award winner. Find application forms
on our website, arnewsline.org, under the "AWARDS" tab.
**
PROJECT KUIPER LAUNCHES ITS FIRST SATELLITES
DON/ANCHOR: After a series of delays that pushed its first satellite launch well past its target date of early
2024, Amazon's new broadband internet constellation project has moved ahead with its first liftoff. We have
those details from Kent Peterson KCØDGY.
KENT: The broadband internet constellation known as Project Kuiper is on its way at last, following the launch
on Monday, April 28th of its first 27 satellites from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Amazon
envisions its long-anticipated 00-billion project as a direct challenge to the massive SpaceX Starlink
network, which dominates the market, as well as Eutelsat OneWeb, AT&T and T-Mobile. Ultimately Project Kuiper
will send 3,236 satellites into low-Earth orbit, making its global broadband service accessible to rural and
underserved regions.
A mandate by the US Federal Communications Commission requires Amazon to deploy 1,618 - or half - of its
satellites by the middle of next year. Analysts speculate that the company may seek an extension on that date
as a result of the delays.
This is Kent Peterson KCØDGY.
(AMSAT NEWS SERVICE, REUTERS)
**
AMSAT SETS OCTOBER DATE FOR SYMPOSIUM, MEETING
DON/ANCHOR: October seems like a long way off but to planners of the 43rd Annual AMSAT Space Symposium & Annual
General Meeting, it's just around the corner. Organizers have already sent out a "save the date" notice for the
weekend of October 16th and have published a general schedule that runs for four days. Meetings and
presentations will be hosted at the Holiday Inn & Suites Phoenix Airport North in Arizona, convenient to
Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport.
The board of directors will meet on Thursday the 16th of October and again on Friday the 17th of October, the
same day that the symposium presentations will begin. The annual general meeting will be on Saturday, the 18th
of October. The morning of Sunday, the 19th of October - the closing day - has been set aside for the members'
breakfast. More specific details will be made public as soon as they become available.
(AMSAT NEWS SERVICE)
**
AWARD RECOGNIZES WSPR RADIO "DETECTIVES"
DON/ANCHOR: DUBUS, a magazine that is popular with amateurs around the world who focus on VHF and higher
frequencies, is posing a challenge -- and offering a reward. It involves a little radio detective work, as we
hear from Jeremy Boot G4NJH.
JEREMY: The international ham radio magazine for enthusiasts operating VHF and up has announced it will award a
prize this year to a radio operator studying the scientific validity of global passive WSPR radar in locating
aircraft. The theory came to prominence following the use of WSPR log data in the search for the doomed
Malaysian flight MH370, which disappeared in 2014 en route to Beijing.
The journal, which publishes four times a year in English and German, has created this award to mark the 75th
anniversary of the DARC and the 100th anniversary of the International Amateur Radio Union. The total prize
award is 7,500 euros - the equivalent of (sal4.0),450 US - and is in three categories: 1,500 Euros, or 0,600, for
proof involving large passenger or cargo aircraft; 2,500 Euros, or ,800, for proof involving smaller
aircraft; 3,500 Euros, almost ,000 for proof involving helicopters.
Studies should be submitted in either English or German and in PDF format to the email address that appears in
the text version of this week's newscast at arnewsline.org by the entry deadline of 31st of December. [DO NOT
READ: DUBUS@t-online.de ]
This is Jeremy Boot G4NJH
(DUBUS)
**
WORLD OF DX
Morten, LA9GY, is using the callsign 3DAØGY while operating holiday style from Eswatini from the 22nd of May
through to the 2nd of June. Morten will be using CW and some SSB, concentrating on 20, 15 and 10 metres. He may
also operate on other HF bands. See QRZ.com for QSL details.
Listen for OT25EPIC, the special callsign of the Antwerp Port Contest Club, ON8APC, which is on the air to
promote this year's edition of the Antwerp Port Epic cycling race. The callsign will be on the air between the
10th of May and the 9th of June, which is the day of the race. QSL via ON8JJ.
The International Amateur Radio Club at ITU headquarters in Geneva is using the callsign 4UØITU from the 16th
of May through to the end of the year. This is to mark the 160th anniversary of the International
Telecommunication Union.
Jose, HP2AT, is using the special callsign H82AT, to mark his 35th anniversary in amateur radio. He is on the
air through to the 31st of December. Paper cards are not available. See QRZ.com for details.
(425 DX BULLETIN)
**
KICKER: WHEN THE "STATION IDENTIFICATION" IS A BINARY STAR SYSTEM
DON/ANCHOR: We end this week's newscast with the story of some mystery radio signals that are mysteries no
more. Thanks to researchers, there's been some "station identification." We learn more from Travis Lisk N3ILS.
TRAVIS: Think of them as the dynamic duo of the universe: No, they're not caped crusaders but a red dwarf star
and a white dwarf, a dead star. Together, they have been sending a steady radio pulse every two hours for at
least 10 years.
Scientists have heard their transmission but until recently no one knew the source of the sounds, which
appeared to emanate from the direction of the Big Dipper. This past spring, the signals were found to come from
a binary system - two stars - that send the pulse by repeated contact between their magnetic fields.
Researchers cracked the mystery with the help of a low-frequency array radio telescope. The discovery debunks
the long-held belief that only highly magnetized neutron stars known as magnetars, can emit such pulses.
This challenge to the old way of thinking opens up the chance to explore other mysteries and binary systems.
Researchers call this binary star system ILTJ1101 [EYE ELL TEE JAY ONE ONE ZERO ONE]. Although it sounds like a
very large and exotic callsign for this long-distance transmitter, it's not. Still, with all those steady,
regular signals over the years, this pair surely deserves some kind of operating award.
This is Travis Lisk N3ILS.
(SUSTAINABILITY TIMES, SPACE.COM, SCI.NEWS)
**
Have you sent in your amateur radio haiku to Newsline's haiku challenge yet? It's as easy as writing a QSL
card. Set your thoughts down using traditional haiku format - a three-line verse with five syllables in the
first line, seven in the second and five in the third. Submit your work on our website at arnewsline.org - each
week's winner gets a shout-out on our website, where everyone can find the winning haiku.
NEWSCAST CLOSE
With thanks to Amateur News Daily; Amateur Radio Society of Bangladesh; AMSAT; Commonwealth of Pennsylvania;
David Behar K7DB; FCC; IARU; Luca Della Giovampaola, IWØDJB; QRZ.com; NASA; Radio World; Reuters; SCINews;
shortwaveradio.de; South Carolina Statehouse; Space.com; Sustainability Times; Wireless Institute of Australia;
WYFF Channel 4; 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 2025. All rights reserved.
73 de Bill, PY2BIL
PY2BIL@PY2BIL.SP.BRA.SOAM
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BBS: PY2BIL - Timed 16-May-2025 09:30 E. South America Standard Time
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