Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2337 for Friday August 12th, 2022

[Amateur Radio Newsline]

Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2337 for Friday August 12th, 2022

Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2337 with a release date of Friday
August 12th, 2022 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.

The following is a QST. An amateur satellite built by Indian
schoolgirls suffers a failed deployment. A South African ham offers a
rare chance for an EME contact with Angola -- and ooops, that James
Webb telescope image isn't what it seems. All this and more as Amateur
Radio Newsline Report Number 2337 comes your way right now.

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BILLBOARD CART

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STUDENTS' AMATEUR SATELLITE SUFFERS FAILED LAUNCH

NEIL/ANCHOR: Our top story this week was supposed to be a success story
for India's new satellite launch vehicle, which had on board a small
ham radio satellite built by schoolchildren. Something went wrong in
its deployment, however, as Graham Kemp VK4BB tells us.

GRAHAM: Failure and disappointment marked the debut of India's Small
Satellite Launch Vehicle which lifted off on Saturday August 6th only
to deploy two satellites into the wrong orbits. One of the satellites
was a much-anticipated project built by 750 schoolgirls in India as
part of SpaceKidz India. It carried an amateur radio payload.

The Indian space agency said that the satellites were sent into an
elliptical orbit instead of the intended circular orbit 356 kilometres,
or 221 miles, above the Earth. The elliptical orbit meant that at some
point the satellites' orbits would come as close to earth as 76 km, or
47 miles.

Officials from the ISRO said the error was caused by a sensor failure
that could not be detected in time. Five hours after liftoff, the
mission was declared a failure.

The maiden voyage of the launcher was a much-celebrated event which
also commemorated India's 75th year of independence.

This is Graham Kemp VK4BB.

(SPACE.COM, THE HINDU)

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ANGOLA DXPEDITION PROMISES AMATEURS THE MOON

NEIL/ANCHOR: The activation of Angola using EME this month has been
years in the planning for one South African amateur. It's expected to
be a major first. Jason Daniels VK2LAW tells us what's in store.

JASON: Going on the air as D2TX from Angola as a portable EME operator
is expected to be an unprecedented experience. Bernie ZS4TX told
Newsline in an email that he is unaware of any of the popular EME bands
having been used to activate Angola, as he is doing on 2 metres between
the 12th and 16th of August. It's a long road trip - more than 2800
kilometres over the course of four days. The final 220 kilometres is on
dirt roads and will take six hours. Bernie said the advantage is road
travel means the station will be able to use a larger-than-usual array
of 2-by-18 element M2 Yagi antennas. Bernie also said that stations
with a 12-element Yagi, 250 watts and a decent low-noise amplifier can
likely work him and that recent developments in digital modes available
from WSJTX may make it possible for even the most modest stations. With
a couple of moon passes, Bernie hopes to be able to work 300 or so
stations.

Licensed since the age of 17, Bernie learned about 2-metre EME from
Hal, ZS6WB, and Chris, ZS6EZ, in the early '90s when he and Chris
worked Dave, W5UN, on CW EME from Botswana during a VHF expedition
trip. He later worked W5UN from Lesotho for one of his last entities
for the first 2M DXCC award ever issued.

Bernie urges EME enthusiasts to listen for him. He said [quote] "Use
this opportunity. It may be a very long time before Angola is activated
again. It could be the chance of a lifetime." [endquote]

This is Jason Daniels VK2LAW.


NEIL/ANCHOR: If you are new to working EME, there is some helpful
guidance on W7GJ's website, including detailed instructions on how to
set up your station and make contacts. Find the link in the text
version of this week's newscast at arnewsline.org


[FOR PRINT ONLY: http://www.bigskyspaces.com/w7gj/emetips.htm ]


(BERNIE VAN DER WALT ZS4TX)

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CANCER RECOVERY INSPIRES SPECIAL EVENT IN UK

NEIL/ANCHOR: Grateful for his recovery from prostate cancer, a ham in
the UK is operating a special event station to raise awareness - and
funds - for further research. Jeremy Boot G4NJH brings us his story.

JEREMY: Writing on his blog, Andrew Brown M0ONH shares the details of
his early symptoms, diagnosis, surgery, treatment and recovery from
prostate cancer at age 41. His medical journey began mid-2021 with
visits to doctors to identify the source of his symptoms. He had
surgery last spring.

Andrew has been a ham since 2018 - hence his call sign suffix "O N H"
for "One New Ham." He began his blog as a way to encourage others to
join him in amateur radio. Now he is making use of amateur radio to
encourage others to do something more - be pro-active in their own
health care. He wants people to learn more about prostate cancer and
help raise funds for research.

Andrew has organised a special event station, GB8PCA, with the support
of three Essex clubs and Essex Ham. Activation takes place on Saturday
13th August from 1100 to 1600 local time (GMT+1); Monday 15th at 2000
during the Essex Ham Net on GB3DA, and on Friday 19th at 2000 (all
times local) during the TARG Club Net, also on GB3DA. Listen as well
for the special event station at either Galleywood or at the Hackspace
on Sunday 21st August from 1100 to 1600 local time.

Here's another reason to make contact: for every logged QSO using the
GB8PCA callsign, Andrew will donate £1 himself. If you cannot contact
him but want to support the cause, visit his JustGiving Donation Page.
You can read more about Andrew's story on his blog. See the links for
Andrew's blog and the Justgiving pages in the text version of this
week's script at arnewsline.org.

This is Jeremy Boot G4NJH.

[FOR PRINT ONLY: https://onenewham.uk/my-prostate-cancer-story/ and
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/gb8pca]

(SOUTHGATE, ANDREW M0ONH BLOG)

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PENNSYLVANIA CLUB MARKS 10TH ANNIVERSARY 'ABOARD' MARS ROVER

NEIL/ANCHOR: Hams in one Pennsylvania club are celebrating a
relationship with the Mars rover that began 10 years ago. Randy Sly
W4XJ has those details.

RANDY: How do you celebrate a 10th anniversary? A Dinner? A Party?

The Holmesburg Amateur Radio Club in Philadelphia decided to send its
club call, WM3PEN, on a long vacation that would take 255 days to get
there. They teamed up with NASA's Mars Science Laboratory rover,
Curiosity, to visit Bradbury Landing, on Mars. The boarding pass
was â-˜purchased' on April 25, 2011 and Curiosity, with their callsign
on board, landed on the red planet in early August, 2012.

Since the landing, Curiosity and WM3PEN have travelled nearly 18 miles
searching for the perfect location for the Dxpedition.

The folks at WM3PEN also thought it would be a good trip to team up
with the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (J-P-L) since they decided to make
it a CW event. To help measure size and distance, the JPL
engineers carved out the dots and dashes of the letters J-P-L in the
tire treads. How could a ham argue with a CW buddy along for the ride?

NASA reports that engineers are devising ways to minimize wear and tear
and keep the rover rolling: In fact, Curiosity's mission was recently
extended for another three years.

When asked what's next for the WM3PEN team, callsign trustee Bob
Josuweit, WA3PZO, said that after just coming off Field Day and the 13
Colonies Special Event in June and July, it will be time to relax
before planning the next adventure.

This is Randy Sly W4XJ.

(BOB JOSUWEIT, WA3PZO)

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ARDC GRANT PROVIDES STEM, TECH SCHOLARSHIPS

NEIL/ANCHOR: Four students at a private university in the United States
will receive full one-year scholarships for their studies in the fields
of science and technology with the help of a grant from Amateur Radio
Digital Communications. The $200,000 grant will fund their studies as
well as their involvement in related activities. It will also cover the
cost of producing programs on the university's FM radio station
highlighting scholars involved in STEM topics. This financial gift is
especially significant because the private college in the state of
Virginia houses a School of Engineering and Technology that has a
strong commitment to recruiting women and African Americans to study
for research careers in engineering and materials science fields.

(ARDC)

**

BREAK HERE: Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur
Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world including
the WA2EHL repeater in Burlington New Jersey on Fridays at 7 p.m.
localtime.

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IARU REGION 1 ANNOUNCES WINNERS IN 1st HAMCHALLENGE CONTEST

NEIL/ANCHOR: There are two top winners sharing the glory in the first
Hamchallenge competition of Region 1 of the International Amateur Radio
Union. Ed Durrant DD5LP tells us about their achievements.

ED: The International Amateur Radio Union Region 1 has chosen two hams
to share top honours equally in their Hamchallenge competition. The
contest, which was introduced for the first time on April 30th, asked
participants to propose game-changing ideas that would help grow the
international amateur radio community. Nestor 5B4AHZ and Christian
HB9FEU were chosen as first-place winners. Nestor's winning project was
"Ham Radio Escape Room," a virtual escape room inspired by the
pandemic. Teams use radio instead of webcams to communicate.
Christian's project was a public database of fun projects for
innovation and technology-oriented hobbyists. Many of the activities
accommodated those with very little experience or available equipment.

The third place winner was Luca IU2FRL and the Youth Prize went to Guy
ZS6GUY. IARU Region 1 said it will be in touch with the winners to help
them turn their proposals into actual working models. Hamchallenge will
return in 2023.

This is Ed Durrant DD5LP.

(IARU, SOUTHGATE)

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RADIO PREPAREDNESS PROJECT BEGINS IN TRIPURA

NEIL/ANCHOR: A new emergency-preparedness strategy by officials in the
northeastern Indian state of Tripura is giving high priority to amateur
radio. Jim Meachen ZL2BHF has that story.

JIM: As many as nine new amateur radio stations are being set up by the
government of Tripura in India in an attempt to improve communications
during disasters. The State Disaster Management Agency told reporters
during a recent press conference an estimated 1500 trained volunteers
have already stepped forward to operate the stations as they become
available. The first station will be ready to go on the air shortly and
will be based at the State Emergency Operation Centre in the
Secretariat Complex. The remaining eight still require proper licences
from the Ministry of Communication. The state officials said that ten
more automated rain gauges and seven automated weather stations will
also be installed in urban areas by India's Meteorological Department.

Officials said they had hope that these additional measures would
increase all teams' abilities to provide lifesaving response in the
state, which is prone to a variety of catastrophes, including flash
floods, strong winds and heat waves.

This is Jim Meachen ZL2BHF.

(NORTHEAST TODAY)

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HAMS TOLD TO SHARE FREQUENCIES DURING PARIS OLYMPICS

NEIL/ANCHOR: Hams in France will need to share many of their
frequencies with broadcasters and others involved in the Paris 2024
Olympic Games. Jeremy Boot G4NJH brings us those details.

JEREMY: Just as some amateur frequencies were opened to other users
during the Olympics in London in 2012, amateur frequencies are to be
shared during the 2024 Olympics in France.

According to recent news reports, some VHF and UHF frequencies are to
become available between 26th June and 15th September 2024 to
accommodate the Organising Committee for the Paris Games and thus
requiring amateur radio operators to limit their activities on
thosebands.

The National Frequency Agency of France, which is responsible for
allocations in that country, said frequencies are being made available
during the games for private mobile radio voice communications, mostly
by walkie-talkie. Amateur radio operators are considered primary users
on 2 metres by the ITU. On other bands, 1240 MHz to 1260 MHz will be
used for programme-making and special events, or PMSE services. These
frequencies are open to hams on a secondary basis. Frequencies on the
2.3 GHz band, also open to hams on a secondary basis, will be used for
video links.

This is Jeremy Boot G4NJH.

(SOUTHGATE)

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WORLD OF DX

In the World of DX, members of the West Bengal Radio Club, VU2WB, will
be using the call sign AT2AAM on August 15th to commemorate the 75th
anniversary of India's independence from the UK. Be listening on
various HF Bands. QSL to AT2AAM or VU2WB.

Be listening for Eugen, DL8AAI, on the air as 5H2JK/p from August 11th
through the 17th during a hiking tour in Kilimanjaro National Park,
5HFF-0005. He will be on the air holiday style, mainly on SSB on 20
through 10 metres, using the World Wide Flora and Fauna frequencies.
QSL via DL8AAI.

In Cuba, Lefty, CO2QU, is on the air from from Havana, NA-015, until
December 31st, on 30 meters, using FT8/FT4, and 6 meters, using FT8.
QSL to CO2QU direct via LoTW.

Members of the Saudi Amateur Radio Society, HZ1SAR, are on the air as
HZ1CPCF for the Crown Prince Camel Festival special event, until
September 4th. Be listening on 20, 17, 16 and 6 metres where the
operators are using CW, SSB and FT8/FT4. QSL to HZ1SAR.

(OHIO PENN DX)

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KICKER: WE NEVER SAUSAGE A THING

NEIL/ANCHOR: Over the past few weeks, Newsline has carried stories
about the fabulous images transmitted back to Earth from the James Webb
telescope. We end this week's newscast with an update, a report that
has.....even more...meat to it. Here's Paul Braun WD9GCO.

PAUL: Once upon a time in a galaxy far, far away there was a French
physicist with a report that was also far, far away...in this case,
from reality: In late July, a very excited scientist, Etienne Klein,
posted an image on his Twitter account, identifying it as the James
Webb telescope's highly detailed capture of Proxima Centauri which, at
4.2 light years away from Earth, is the closest star to the sun. It is
so close to the sun, in fact, you might say it sizzles. In this case,
it sizzles like sausage -- because that's what it turned out to be: a
single round slice of chorizo, a type of savory Spanish smoked sausage,
in closeup under the camera lens. Klein later admitted his post was a
light-hearted deception but only after thousands of his Twitter
followers - who presumably were NOT vegetarians - had approved of the
image. He told French media later that the tweet was meant only as a
joke and insisted that any and all reports of celestial sausage are,
you might say, tough to swallow. You might even call it a bit of
baloney.

This is Paul Braun WD9GCO.

(PEOPLE MAGAZINE)

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NEWSCAST CLOSE: With thanks to the ARDC; the ARRL; Bernie Van Der Walt
ZS4TX; Bob Josuweit WA3PZO; CQ Magazine; David Behar K7DB; IARU Region
1; Northeast Today; Ohio Penn DX; People Magazine; QRZ.com; Southgate
Amateur Radio News; shortwaveradio.de; Space.com; SpaceKidzIndia; 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
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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 Neil Rapp WB9VPG in Union Kentucky saying
73. As always we thank you for listening.

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