Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2060 for Friday, April 21, 2017

[Amateur Radio Newsline]

Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2060 for Friday, April 21, 2017

Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2060 with a release date of
Friday, April 21 2017 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.

The following is a QST. VHF's back on board the International Space
Station. Australia prepares for a new shortwave service -- and YLs in
Japan are marking a milestone event. All this and more as Amateur Radio
Newsline Report 2060 comes your way right now.

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BILLBOARD CART HERE

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VHF PACKET DELIVERS ON THE SPACE STATION

PAUL/ANCHOR: We open this week's report with cause for rejoicing to the
skies. So if you follow the International Space Station - or are hoping
for a contact someday with one of its astronauts - listen carefully to
this report from Amateur Radio Newsline's Neil Rapp WB9VPG.

NEIL: There's good news from outer space! The International Space
Station is back on the air on VHF from the Columbus module! After a
failure of a VHF handheld in October, a UHF replacement was retrieved
from storage and put into use temporarily. Because failure is not an
option, the ARISS team began the process of getting the 17-year-old
replacement handheld radio up to the space station until the new mobile
radio is ready and certified. At the end of February, the SpaceX 10
launch vehicle, Dragon, flew to the ISS with the HT on board. On
Friday, April 14th, it was finally unpacked. Rosalie White, K1STO,
ARISS International Secretary, shared the good news with us the day it
happened.

ROSALIE: The ARISS team was notified this morning that the radio was
set up and turned on to 145.825 as the crew just found time finally
after unpacking that 5,500 pounds of cargo that got delivered.
So we're back in business again!

NEIL: Followers of ISS Fan Club have already posted that they've heard
and used VHF packet and are thrilled to have it again! Rosalie
reminds us that they don't know how long the radio will last and work
is still progressing on a permanent replacement.

ROSALIE: The Ericsson that we sent up was the very last one that was
in storage at Houston. It's only 6 watts, and our new system that
we're developing is 25 watts. It's going to make it so much nicer. The
audio will be so much better for the school kids. And that system is
in the works. We've got the Kenwoods, but the power supplies are in
the process of being built, and because they have to be space-certified
parts inside, they are extremely expensive. So if anyone is interested
in helping out with some of those costs, they can go to the AMSAT
website www.amsat.org or the ARISS www.ariss.org site and contribute.
If you are enjoying the use of the packet, we hope to be able to
continue that for you and could sure use a hand.

NEIL: So if you need your space... consider donating to the cause.
Reporting for Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Neil Rapp, WB9VPG.

**
IN CORNWALL, FROM TITANIC TO MARCONI

PAUL/ANCHOR: As hams in Cornwall, England prepared for International
Marconi Day on Saturday, April 22nd, they were already deeply involved
in operating for another on-air commemoration: the 105th anniversary of
the sinking of the Titanic, the ill-fated ocean liner that had a
Marconi station on board. Amateur Radio Newsline's Ed Durrant DD5LP
worked Cornwall special event station GB2GM and shares this report.

ED'S REPORT: April 22nd is a very special day in the world of radio.
It's the day that we celebrate the birth of the great inventor,
Marconi, without whom radio communications would not be what it is
today. There are many stations around the world who will take part in
INTERNATIONAL MARCONI DAY. One of those stations I happened to come
across on Good Friday commemorating another historical event where
Marconi radio operators were involved. The sinking of the Titanic
happened when it hit an iceberg 105 years ago. GB2GM is the special
event station run by the Poldhu Radio Club from the Marconi Centre in
Poldhu, Cornwall, England. Here's my short conversation with Malcolm
GM0DBW while he was operating the club station.

------ Audio clip from IC-7300 of QSO in here------

ED: So, when tuning around on April 22nd if you hear GB2GM GB2 Golf
Mike on the bands give them a call and you'll be talking to the museum
located in the old Marconi station hut in Poldhu, Cornwall, the site of
the first ever transatlantic wireless communication! Full information
about the Poldhu Radio Club can be found on their web site at
GB2GM.ORG.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, this is Ed Durrant DD5LP.

**

NO SHORTAGE OF SHORTWAVE

PAUL/ANCHOR: Shortwave service is back in Australia but it's not what
you think. Here's Amateur Radio Newsline's Graham Kemp.

GRAHAM: With Radio Australia having ended its shortwave transmissions
in January, some of the gap is about to be filled by a North Queensland
radio operation starting in May. Radio 4KZ Innisfail will run its 1.5
thousand watts into an inverted V antenna and will simulcast station
4KZ which is an AM/FM operation. The shortwave simulcast will be on
5055kHz seven days a week between 4 p.m. and 9 a.m. local time. The new
shortwave service was reported on the website SWLING.COM and credited
the general manager of NQ Radio, Al Kirton, VK4FFKZ, with creating this
to provide service to some areas left without radio when Radio
Australia went off the shortwave bands earlier this year. Meanwhile in
Parliament, there's a measure by Senator Nick Xenophon which would
reinstate Radio Australia's shortwave service if it passes.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Graham Kemp VK4BB

PAUL/ANCHOR: Al Kirton VK4FFKZ told Amateur Radio Newsline in an email
that listeners will receive an attractive QSL card if they send in
reception reports. He said the first two weeks of shortwave will be a
trial-run operation.

(WIRELESS INSTITUTE OF AUSTRALIA, Al KIRTON VK4FFZ, SWLING.COM)

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STILL TIME TO NOMINATE YOUNG HAM OF THE YEAR

PAUL/ANCHOR: And now, another reminder that nominations are open for
our Amateur Radio Newsline Bill Pasternak Young Ham of the Year Award.
What does it all mean? Let's hear from a past winner.

CHRISTOPHER: I'm Christopher Arthur NV4B, the 2000 Newsline Young Ham
of the Year. Being chosen Young Ham of the Year remains one of the
greatest honors I have ever received. It showed me that the amateur
radio community appreciates leadership among the youth in our hobby. My
early success in amateur radio has translated to a ten-plus-year career
in computer engineering. I have remained active in the hobby since I
won the award and I am currently an active member of the Muscle Shoals
Amateur Radio Club where I am involved in technical projects and
presentations, Field Day, VHF contesting and education and testing of
new hams. The yaesu FT-847 I was awarded has been used to make over 20
thousand QSOs since 2000. I hope that number continues to grow as I
remain active in the years to come. For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm
Christopher Arthur NV4B.

PAUL/ANCHOR: If there is a young radio operator who particularly
impresses you, visit our website for details at arnewsline.org. Find
application forms under the "YHOTY" tab. Nominations close May 31. Yes,
that's barely a month away!

**

BREAK HERE: Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur
Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including
W3BN, the 2-meter repeater of the Reading Radio Club in Reading,
Pennsylvania on Friday evenings at 8 p.m. local time.

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GIRLS JUST WANNA HAVE TECH

PAUL/ANCHOR: Girls are very much the focus of the International
Telecommunications Union, which is getting ready to mark yet another
International Girls in Information and Telecommunication Technologies
Day. That would be April 27. The annual program is the UN agency's
global effort to open up the world of science and tech to girls who
might someday be employed in the sector. Companies, schools, government
agencies and other ICT affiliates aroudn the world will be hosting
workshops, career fairs and hands-on activities. The daylong event
acknowledges amateur radio as one gateway into the sector and
encourages girls' involvement.

Since ICT Day's establishment in 2011, more than 240 thousand girls and
young women haave been involved in 7,200 events in 160 countries around
the world, according to the ITU.

(ARRL, ITU)

**

TIME TO PARTY IN NEW ENGLAND

PAUL/ANCHOR: The New England QSO Party is coming up fast, and
organizers are asking hams to come out and represent their counties. We
hear more from Amateur Radio Newsline's Geri Goodrich KF5KRN.

GERI'S REPORT: If you can't visit New England, the next best thing is
to WORK New England, and you'll get your chance on the 6th and 7th of
May during the New England QSO Party. Organizers are working hard to
get every county in every New England state represented. So if you're
already in New England, consider this your invitation to the
20-hour-long party, for however many hours you can participate. Yes,
there will actually be a sleep break between 1 a.m. Sunday and 9 a.m.
Sunday local time to relax and recharge. The rest of the time hams can
operate using CW, SSB and digital modes on 80/40/20/15 and 10 meters.

Last year the party had a turnout to be proud of: 179 stations in New
England and 300 more participating from around the country and
theworld.

If you're in New England, register by emailing info-at-neqp.org

If you're anywhere else, be ready starting Saturday May 6 at 20:00 UTC.
Visit neqp.org for more details.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Geri Goodrich KF5KRN.

(NEW ENGLAND QSO PARTY)


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GETTING LUCKY IN KENTUCKY

PAUL/ANCHOR: If you're proud to drive a vehicle that has your callsign
on its license plate, you'll understand why hams in Kentucky want to
give their own state license plates a second look. Amateurs there are
considering a remake that perhaps offers a little higher wattage. This
report comes to us courtesy of Amateur News Weekly's Jack PrindleAB4WS.

JACK'S REPORT: In Kentucky, our amateur radio vehicle registration
plates are very plain: a white background and your call sign in blue
and the words "amateur radio" make up the plates. Many would like to
see the commonwealth update these plates. What do YOU think? Please
email your ideas and opinions to arr...@yahoo.com

Covering your amateur radio news in the Greater Cincinnati area and the
commonwealth of Kentucky for Amateur News Weekly, this is Jack Prindle
AB4WS in Big Bone Kentucky.

PAUL/ANCHOR: That report was from Amateur News Weekly. To hear more
news serving hams in Kentucky and the Greater Cincinnati area, visit
amateurnewsweekly.com

(AMATEUR NEWS WEEKLY)

**
THE WORLD OF DX

In the World of DX, the Tortugas CW Group will be operating as ED9T for
the King of Spain CW Contest on May 21st and 22nd from the Spanish
external territory of Melilla on the North African coast. They will
mostly operate on CW however you may also hear them operating as EG9TOR
on SSB and digital modes outside of the contest. QSL via EA4PN or use
OQRS for a direct, LoTW, eQSL or bureau card.

Listen for David, OK6DJ and Petr, OK1FCJ operating as 5V7P from Togo
between April 21st and the 28th. Find them on 160 to 10 meters using
CW, SSB and digital modes. QSL via OK6DJ, ClubLog's OQRS orLoTW.

Next month, Tim LW9EOC will be operating as HC8/LW9EOC from the
Galapagos Islands between May 15th and May 29th on 160 meters through 6
meters. He will focus mainly on 30, 17 and 12 meters using SSB, CW and
RTTY. QSL via his home call, direct or LoTW.

Listen also for Pasi, OH3WS, on the air as OJ0W from Market Reef on May
6th and 7th. Find Pasi on 20 to 6 meters using CW and SSB. Pasi will
also try 60 meters on both CW and SSB, on 5354 kHz. QSL via his
homecall.

Finally, despite likely very average propagation and busy bands with
contests, the SOTA operators have planned their next Europe-to-North
America - Summit to Summit activity for Saturday May 13th between 12:00
and 18:00 UTC. Likely bands are 20m and 17m CW and SSB; as always
realtime spotting will be available at sotawatch.org.

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KICKER: HERE'S TO THE NEXT 60 YEARS IN JAPAN

PAUL/ANCHOR: And finally, we look forward - and we look back - with a
60-year-old club for YLs in Japan. The Japan Ladies Radio Society has
something special going on, as we learn in this week's final report,
from Amateur Radio Newsline's Caryn Eve Murray KD2GUT.

CARYN: Special event station 8N60JLRS began operating in Japan on April
1 and the celebration won't stop until next March. What's going on? The
Japan Ladies Radio Society is marking the long life it has enjoyed
since three pioneering female amateurs founded it in 1957 to help that
nation's small but rapidly growing population of YLs enjoy life on the
amateur bands. According to Yukiko Maki 7K4TKB it was quite an
adjustment.

YUKIKO: Once YLs in Japan started to call CQ there were always huge
pileups and heavy QRM and it wasn't easy and comfortable for them to
have a relaxing conversation with other YLs in Japan. It was very
difficult to do so at the time. That was the reason this club was
founded. It was meant to be the place for Japanese YLs to meet and
enjoy talking with other YLs.

CARYN: Yukiko, who chairs the radio society's DX operations, said the
group has 160 domestic and 40 DX members. She said the special event
station is just one of many activities the YLs have had: there are two
annual contests, there's an awards program and over the years, there's
been some adventure.

YUKIKO: The first one was a DXpedition in Maldives near India using
callsign 8Q7YL in 1985 with 9 members and more than 23 thousand QSOs
were made during the 5-day stay. Another one took place in 2007 to
celebrate our fiftieth annivesary and at the time the QTH for this Dx
was in the Palau Islands in the Pacific Ocean. We used our call sign
was T80J with 18 members and at the time we did more than 2700 QSOs.

CARYN: The group's 60th anniversary will also be celebrated at the
general meeting of the Japan Ladies Radio Society in Tokyo this summer.
Yukiko said it's going to be great catching up with everyone. If you
can't get to Tokyo, there's always special event station 8N60JLRS now
through March of 2018. The YLs will be calling CQ -- and listening.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Caryn Eve Murray KD2GUT.

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NEWSCAST CLOSE: With thanks to Alan Labs; Al Kirton VK4FFZ; Amateur
News Weekly; the ARRL; Hap Holly and the Rain Report; Japan Ladies
Radio Society; New England QSO Party; QRZ.COM; QST Magazine; Southgate
Amateur Radio News; Ted Randall's QSO Radio Show; Summits on the Air;
SWLING.COM; Tufts University; WTWW Shortwave; and you our listeners,
that's all from the Amateur Radio Newsline. Please send emails to our
address at news...@arnewsline.org. More information is available at
Amateur Radio Newsline's only official website located at
www.arnewsline.org.

Also -- if you've going to Hamvention this year -- you can contact us
in person! Just look for the Newsline crew at the HamNation booth in
Xenia. We'll be wearing our distinctive blue polo shirts. We'd love to
meet our listeners.

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 and as always we thank you for listening.

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