Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2431 for Friday May 31st, 2024

Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2431 for Friday May 31st, 2024

Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2431 with a release date of
Friday, May 31st, 2024 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.

The following is a QST. Hams in India respond to the region's first
major cyclone of the year. The FCC wants input on the recent solar
storm -- and hams appreciate the power of QRP. All this and more as
Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2431 comes your way right now.

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BILLBOARD CART

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HAMS RESPOND TO INDIAN REGION'S FIRST MAJOR CYCLONE

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Our top story is the deadly tropical cyclone that left
parts of coastal India and Bangladesh devastated. In the middle of it
all, hams were there, relaying messages nonstop, as we hear from John
Williams VK4JJW.

JOHN: As tropical cyclone Remal battered India and Bangladesh, a team
of 27 amateur radio operators from West Bengal worked around the clock
to keep the lines of communications open in a region overtaken by lost
power and flooding. By Sunday night, the West Bengal Radio Club
responded to requests by local authorities to set up at various
strategic locations in and around the Sagar Islands in Sunderbans.
Operators used two mobile vans and eight control rooms, communicating
on VHF and UHF frequencies. According to updates the amateurs posted on
their Facebook page, the van patrolled the coastal areas reporting back
with updates to the control centers.

The deadly storm was estimated to have affected millions in the coastal
region of the two nations and the death toll estimates varied - but
continued to climb. Authorities rushed to have people evacuated as
their homes collapsed around them.

At its peak, the storm achieved maximum speeds of between 110 and 120
km/h, with gusts of as much as 135 km/h. It was the region's first
major cyclone of the year.

This is John Williams VK4JJW.

(MILLENNIUM POST, AMBARISH NAG BISWAS, VU2JFA, BBC, ASSOCIATED PRESS)

**
RADIO CAROLINE HAS RENOVATION PLANS IN THE WATER

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: If you think your shack needs an overhaul, imagine
being a legendary pirate broadcaster in the UK. Jeremy Boot G4NJH tells
us who's got renovation plans in the water on their side of the pond.

JEREMY: Radio Caroline has marked six decades of radio off the coast of
England and is sailing ahead with its planned restoration of the Ross
Revenge, the vessel moored in the Blackwater Estuary that the former
pirate broadcaster calls home. The fishing trawler-turned-broadcast
studio replaced the Mi Amigo, Radio Caroline's previous pirate ship,
which sank in a storm in 1980. Radio Caroline first went on the air on
the 28th of March 1964, when it was only able to operate from outside
of British territorial waters. The support group that now runs the
station was finally granted an AM broadcast licence from Ofcom in 2017
with a frequency previously used by the BBC.

A three-day anniversary celebration last March provided an open house
to listeners and other fans who had come to celebrate its legacy.
Organisers hope the anniversary festivities will provide an impetus for
fundraising that can cover the cost of a needed overhaul of the Ross
Revenge, which was built in 1960.

This is Jeremy Boot G4NJH.

(BBC, RADIO CAROLINE)

**
ENGINEER SUES EX-EMPLOYER OVER ANTENNA DESIGN'S MILITARY POTENTIAL

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: A former engineer for Honeywell is suing the company
over what he calls the military potential of an antenna design he
developed while employed there. We have the details from Kent Peterson
KC0DGY.

KENT: A Minnesota engineer who developed a composite material to
increase antenna efficiency is suing his former employer, which had
once widely praised his patented creation as a breakthrough.

The design by Christopher Fuller, KD0WMU, facilitates speedier charging
of electric vehicles through the use of considerably smaller antennas.
Christopher's antenna design delivers the needed power as
electromagnetic energy - over long distances and without loss.
According to a report on the Star Tribune website, a Honeywell
International executive hailed Fuller at the time as being [quote] "the
inventor of the next multi-industry disruptor." [endquote]

Acknowledging that his antenna design also held the potential to power
military weapons from a distance, Christopher asked the US State
Department last year to scrutinize Honeywell's plan to market the
technology to overseas commercial customers. According to the Star
Tribune story, the engineer worried that Honeywell was potentially
overstepping the federal restrictions on exporting US military
technology and was minimizing the weapons potential aspect of the
product.

Neither the state department nor the FBI responded to The Star
Tribune's requests for comment. A statement from Honeywell dismissed
Christopher's claims as baseless, adding that Honeywell International
complies with US export rules and regulations. Christopher quit his job
at Honeywell earlier this year, citing intolerable work conditions that
followed the inquiries he made to federal officials about the company's
overseas plans for the antenna design. He is now suing Honeywell under
the state's Whistleblower Act. That law was created to protect workers
from suffering consequences of reporting employer conduct that they
believe to be unlawful.

This is Kent Peterson KC0DGY.

(STAR TRIBUNE)

**
FCC SEEKS INPUT ON SOLAR STORM AFTERMATH

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: If you got on the air - or TRIED to get on the air
-during the historic G5 solar storm a few weeks ago, you weren't the
only one to notice the impact of all those coronal mass ejections. The
FCC did too - and the agency wants you to share the details of your
experience. Travis Lisk N3ILS tells you how.

TRAVIS: The HF frequencies experienced wide-ranging disturbances of a
solar storm that peaked on the 11th of May and the Federal
Communications Commission is hoping to take a second - and perhaps a
third or fourth - look at the impact. The bureau is looking for
comments about disruptions experienced in voice and data communications
between the 7th and 11th of May that are believed to be a direct result
of the storm.

Commenters should submit evidence in the form of electromagnetic
spectrum analyses, imagery, or chronological logs along with a
description of the impacts. It would also be helpful to include the
make and model of the affected communications equipment - everything
from transceivers, receivers, transmitters and switches to routers and
amplifiers. The details of the report should also include frequencies
affecte, the type of antenna and cable and any relevant observations,
such as the duration of the disturbance.

File your comments no later than June 24th using the bureau's
Electronic Comment Filing System, responding to PS Docket number
24-161. See the link in the text version of this week's newscast at
arnewsline.org. Submissions will be read by the FCC's Public Safety and
Homeland Security Bureau.

This is Travis Lisk N3ILS.

[DO NOT READ:   https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs  ]

(FCC)

**
HONORS FOR IARU REGION 2 EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Congratulations to Carlos Alberto Santamaria, CO2JC,
the IARU Region 2 emergency communications coordinator. The
Meteorological Society of Cuba has presented him with the Carlos Manuel
González Ramirez Award for his years of work overseeing radio response
to hurricanes and earthquakes and coordinating emergency frequency use.
The award is named for the popular late TV meteorologist who died
lastyear.

**

HAMVENTION ATTENDANCE SETS RECORD

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: The worldwide gathering of radio amateurs in Xenia,
Ohio, was a record-setter, according to organizers of this year's
Hamvention. General chairman Jim Storms, AB8YK reported on social media
that the official attendance set a new high of 35,877 over the three
days. That topped last year's attendance of 33,861, which was also a
record-setter.

Jim credited the more than 700 volunteers who worked an average of six
hours - sometimes more - to ensure that things went smoothly at the
Greene County Fairgrounds and Expo Center. Hamvention took place May
17th through May 19th.

The dates for Hamvention 2025 are May 16, 17 and 18.

(HAMVENTION)

**
NEW ZEALAND CW OPS WARM UP FOR STRAIGHT KEY NIGHT

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: CW operators in New Zealand are warming up for Winter
Straight Key Night.  We have that story from Graham Kemp VK4BB.

GRAHAM: Hams are going back to the roots of CW operating with the help
of the New Zealand Morse Code Telegraph Key Directory. On the second
Sunday in June, they're dusting off their keys for Winter Straight Key
Night taking place on 80 metres between 8 and 9 p.m. local time. The
band is expected to light up with operators calling "SKN" or "CQ SKN."
This event isn't about the number of contacts made - it places
importance on the quality of the code being sent. The Best Fist Award
will be given to the one operator who receives the most nominations
from other operators participating in Straight Key Night. The award
bears the name of well-known CW operator Bruce Scahill ZL1BWG, who
became a Silent Key in December of 2022.

Neither logs nor summary sheets are necessary -- just a willingness to
pay tribute to CW, as always.

This is Graham Kemp VK4BB.

(NZ NET NEWS, WIA)

**

BREAK HERE: Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur
Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including
the K8SCH repeater of the OH-KY-IN [pronounced OH-KUY-YUN] Amateur
Radio Society in Cincinnati Ohio on Wednesdays at 9 p.m. local time.
Newsline has played during the TechTalk net for more than 35 years!

**
HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES INCLUDE CQ PUBLISHER DICK ROSS, K2MGA/SK

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: There are three new inductees into the CQ Amateur Radio
Hall of Fame and one of them is the amateur who had been at the helm of
the magazine when he became a Silent Key in April. We have details
--and the names of the new Hall of Famers - from Jack Parker W8ISH.

JACK: CQ magazine's former publisher, Dick Ross, K2MGA, who recently
became a Silent Key, has been inducted into three CQ Halls of Fame: the
Amateur Radio Hall of Fame, the DX Hall of Fame and the Contest Hall of
Fame. Dick became a Silent Key in April at age 84 after a lifetime of
providing the world's amateurs with relevant news and information
through a variety of publications, most notably CQ magazine itself.

Dick is among three amateurs whose names were recently added to the
roster of the Amateur Radio Hall of Fame.

Joachim Kraft, DL8HCZ/CT1HZE and Tim Duffy, K3LR, have also become new
inductees. Joachim has published the globally read English-language
amateur radio magazine DUBUS, which is devoted to DXing on the 6m, 2m
and higher bands. For decades, he has widely shared his special
knowledge on propagation in the VHF/UHF and microwave bands. The
magazine's name is a German acronym borrowed from the Berlin DUBUS
group, which issued it as a newsletter.

Tim's induction follows his inclusion in the CQ Contest Hall of Fame in
2006. The announcement said that his latest honor was given for [quote]
"his lifetime achievements that far transcend his contesting
accomplishments." [endquote] Tim's other awards include the RCA Barry
Goldwater Amateur Radio service award which he received in 2010; the
Hamvention Amateur of the Year, given to him in 2015; and the YASME
Excellence award, which he received in 2016.

This is Jack Parker W8ISH.

(AMATEUR NEWS WEEKLY, CQ HALL OF FAME)

**
MISSOURI HAMS DONATE SHACK TO NONPROFIT CAMPGROUND

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: A former Scout camp facility outside Joplin, Missouri
that recently became a camping site for a variety of community groups
has just undergone another transformation - this time, into a QTH for
amateur radio. Randy Sly W4XJ tells us how.

RANDY: The 175 acres comprising Camp Childress has a pool, a
climate-controlled dining hall, hiking trails, a trout pond and now, a
ham shack. Formerly owned by the Ozark Trails Council of the Scouting
organization, the nonprofit camp welcomes community groups, athletic
groups, church groups and organizations for the disabled - and if any
of them have radio amateurs among their ranks, they can enjoy some
on-the-air time as well as the great outdoors. The Joplin Amateur Radio
Club recently donated radio equipment and a tower to Camp Childress
using club funds and a grant from the ARRL.

It took no time at all for the station to get camping hams into the
spirit. Club president Rex Chambers, WA0UPB, told the Four States
Homepage that the station's first day on the air added contacts with
Florida, Montana and Portugal to the log book. In fact, Portugal was
the first contact made - hopefully the first of many, many more. Good
DX, Camp Childress.

This is Randy Sly W4XJ

(FACEBOOK, FOUR STATES HOMEPAGE)

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REUNION PLANNED FOR YOTA CAMP ALUMNI

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: What's almost as good as going back to YOTA camp? A
reunion among former YOTA campers in Region 2 who have shared amateur
radio adventures and recreational activities at the nonprofit camp for
youth between the ages of 15 and 25. They will be joining  former camp
mates at the first YOTA camper reunion taking place in June. This time
no travel plans or hotel reservations will be needed as this will be a
virtual reunion, happening over Zoom. Campers are deciding between
Saturday, June 8th; Sunday, June 9th; Saturday, June 15th or Sunday,
June 16th via a virtual voting system. Meanwhile, this year's campers
are getting ready for their own YOTA experience, which will take place
in July in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

(YOTA)

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WORLD OF DX

In the World of DX, listen for John, W5JON, operating as V47JA from St.
Kitts, IOTA Number NA-104, until the 13th of June. He will operate
SSB and FT8 on the HF bands and 6 metres. See QRZ.com for QSL details.

On the 31st of May through to the 2nd of June, listen for callsign
GB0HUL, which is on the air to mark more than 100 years of amateur
radio around the city of Hull. Operators are from the Hull & District
Amateur Radio Society and members of the Humber Fortress Amateur Radio
Club. Be listening on the HF bands for SSB, FT4 and FT8. See QRZ.com
for more details.

Dave, WJ2O, is operating on Pitcairn Island, IOTA Number OC-044, using
the callsign VP6DF, until the 10th of June. He is operating mainly CW
on 40 through 10 metres. Listen for him also on 160 and 80 metres.  QSL
via N2ZN and LoTW.

Members of Ari Colli Albani, IQ0HV, are on the air as II0LOR [Eye Eye
Zero El Oh R] until the 30th of June, marking the 80th anniversary of
Rome's liberation during the Second World War. QSL via I0KNQ.
Certificates will be available. See QRZ.com for details.

(QRZ.COM, 425 DX BULLETIN)

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KICKER: A POWERFUL PUSH FOR MORE QRP

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: We end this week with a powerful idea that doesn't
really require much power at all: QRP. IARU Region 3 has declared the
17th of June to be QRP Day, a day when hams are being encouraged to
amplify their interest and activities in QRP. John Williams VK4JJW us
about it.

JOHN: In September of 1997, those attending the 10th conference of IARU
Region 3 in Beijing took to heart a suggestion that year from the New
Zealand Association of Radio Transmitters. NZART argued convincingly in
favour of promoting QRP operating more in magazine articles, contests
and other activities -- and for setting aside one day a year to focus
on low-power operating.

QRP Day was born. Once again this year, Yuki JH1NBN, secretary of IARU
Region 3, has reminded amateur radio societies and their members that
QRP Day draws closer. Not surprisingly, some New Zealand amateurs are
already well into the spirit of the day. They have been participating
in Go QRP Night on the last Saturday of each month during winter. So
they are perhaps more QRV than most - but even first-timers are
encouraged to turn down their power and see what kind of magic happens.

In a world of superstations and linear amplifiers, a little power can
go a long way. This is John Williams VK4JJW.

(IARU REGION 3, WIA)

**
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 Amateur Radio Weekly; Associated Press;
CQ Magazine; David Behar K7DB; DXWorld; Facebook; FCC; Four States
Homepage; 425DXNews; Hamvention; IARU Region 3; Millennium Post; New
Zealand Net News; QRZ.com; Radio Caroline; shortwaveradio.de; Star
Tribune; Wireless Institute of Australia; YOTA; and you our listeners,
that's all from the Amateur Radio Newsline. We remind our listeners
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For now, with Caryn Eve Murray KD2GUT at the news desk in New York, and
our news team worldwide, I'm Stephen Kinford N8WB in Wadsworth Ohio
saying 73. As always we thank you for listening. Amateur Radio
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