Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2408 for Friday December 22nd, 2023

[Amateur Radio Newsline]

Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2408 for Friday December 22nd, 2023

Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2408 with a release date of Friday
December 22nd, 2023 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.

The following is a QST. Hams help restore a broadcast station's signal.
A campus in India becomes an emergency-response hub - and once again,
Newsline's holiday gift to listeners around the world. All this and
more as Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2408 comes your way
rightnow.

**
HAMS HELP COMMUNITY RADIO STATION GET BACK ON AIR

NEIL/ANCHOR: We begin this week with another story of
amateurs-to-the-rescue. Hams know that without an antenna, a station
has no voice. So when a small broadcast station in northern California
needed help, amateur radio was there. Kent Peterson KC0DGY picks up the
story from here.

KENT: Because of amateur radio, community radio station KNYO, is going
to start the coming year very differently from the way it did this
year. Eleven months ago, the low-power FM station in Fort Bragg,
California lost its antenna after the collapse of the 70-foot pine tree
which was being used as its tower. The FCC authorized a temporary fix
that authorized the antenna to be installed on a mast one-third that
height, putting the all-volunteer station back on the air. Then an
October thunderstorm struck and the signal went silent again. That's
when hams from the Mendocino County Amateur Radio Communication
Service, NC6MC, stepped in. After station volunteers could not
determine what had gone wrong, the club's president Derek Hoyle,
KE6EBZ, sent over a team to help investigate. The hams discovered that
the antenna had been struck by lightning during the storm. The
lightning arrestor was damaged and several connectors had been knocked
out. Repairs quickly got under way. In a commentary posted on the
RadioWorld.com website this month, the station's manager, Bob Young,
publicly thanked the hams for using their amateur antenna expertise to
restore the community's voice.

Bob wrote: [quote] "The KNYO Ft. Bragg antenna saga serves as a
testament to the power of community and the generosity of individuals
who come together in times of need." [endquote]

Hopefully 2024 will begin with smoother operation - and better weather
- for station KNYO. If not, amateur radio is standing by.

This is Kent Peterson KC0DGY.

(RADIO WORLD)

**
GLOBAL RESPONSE TO SIGNALS FROM IRELAND'S 1ST SATELLITE

NEIL/ANCHOR: The excitement over the launch of Ireland's first
satellite gained a great deal of momentum from a contest the European
Space Agency launched at the same time: Who would receive its first
signals? Jeremy Boot G4NJH tells us - because the results are in!

JEREMY: Hams from around the world responded enthusiastically to an
invitation from the European Space Agency to be the first receive radio
signals from EIRSAT-1 after its launch on the 1st of December. The
Educational Irish Research Satellite, a two-unit CubeSat from
University College Dublin, is a ham radio satellite and an educational
satellite that took to the sky from a California launchpad on the 1st
of December.

The ESA announced the winners from each continent. There were no
entries from Africa. There were no entries from Africa. Winners were
the first to send in confirmed signals.

The ESA said it would send a QSL card and a small prize to each of the
winning amateurs. All others who sent in confirmed reports will receive
QSL cards as well.

This is Jeremy Boot G4NJH.

(EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY)


NEIL/ANCHOR: For a list of the winners and to learn more about
Ireland's first satellite, see the link in the text version of this
week's Newsline report at arnewsline.org

[FOR PRINT ONLY:
https://www.esa.int/Education/CubeSats_-_Fly_Your_Satellite/EIRSAT-1_Ra
dio_amateur_competition_winners ]

**

SILENT KEY: FORMER RAC PRESIDENT DANIEL LAMOUREUX, VE2KA

NEIL/ANCHOR: A former president of Radio Amateurs of Canada has become
a Silent Key. We have the details from Jeremy Boot G4NJH.

JEREMY: Radio Amateurs of Canada has announced the death of a former
president, Daniel Lamoureux, VE2KA, who became a Silent Key on the 2nd
of December. Daniel's tenure with the RAC included roles on the
administrative and financial committees. He had also served earlier on
the school selection committee for ARISS, and was active supporting the
growth of amateur radio in space and amateur satellites in Canada.

Daniel was also active on the local level, serving from the mid-20th
century to early in the 21st century, as president of the RAQI, Radio
Amateur du QuÃ(c)bec Inc.

Daniel was 79.

This is Jeremy Boot G4NJH.

(WIA, RAC)

**
LASER SENDS NASA'S FIRST ULTRA-HD VIDEO FROM SPACE

NEIL/ANCHOR: As NASA advances toward using laser light instead of radio
to enable more rapid, efficient deep-space communication, a Jet
Propulsion Lab scientist's tabby cat helped prove that this option has
real possibilities. A 15-second, ultra-high-definition video of the cat
named Taters was successfully beamed from NASA's Psyche spacecraft
earlier this month, traveling 19 million miles - or 30 million
kilometres - in less than two minutes to Caltech's Palomar Observatory.
The images traveled at 267 megabits per second - the maximum rate.

Scientists praised both the speed and quality of the video, which was
transmitted on the 11th of December. NASA recently released the images,
pleased that the experiment achieved its goal to show that data can be
sent from space at rates that are more than 100 times greater than
radio systems now in use on spacecraft.

Of course, no one asked for Taters' opinion about laser but the cat's
feelings were evident from the video: The graphics contained in the
images displayed include the cat's heart rate, color and breed - while
showing Taters engaged in a favorite activity - chasing a beam of light
from - what else? - a red laser pointer.

(ASSOCIATED PRESS, NASA JET PROPULSION LAB)

**
CAMPUS IN INDIA BECOMES EMERGENCY-RESPONSE NEXUS

NEIL/ANCHOR: The campus of a technical institute in one part of coastal
India is now a hub for emergency communication. Graham Kemp VK4BB takes
us to the scene.

GRAHAM: An amateur radio project at the National Institute of
Technology Karnataka has transformed the campus into an important nexus
for ham radio emergency response in the coastal areas of the Dakshina
Kannada district in the Indian state of Karnataka. The cutting-edge
resource is known by the acronym SEARCH - for System for Emergency
Assistance, Response and Communication Hub. A dedication ceremony held
on the 11th of December showcased a variety of antennas, including the
Hex Beam HF antenna, Spider Beam HF antenna, Triband JK Yagi Antenna
and dual band VHF/UHF Diamond antenna, among others. The control and
command centre for communications is housed by a number of nearby units
of portable container housing. Many faculty members, including those in
Transdisciplinary Research & Developent, helped bring the project to
fruition with help from the Mangalore Amateur Radio Club and hams in
Manipal and elsewhere. Students and staff at the institute will be able
to get on the air using amateur radio club callsigns VU2REC and the
contest team callsign AT3K.

In an announcement he provided to Newsline, Pruthviraj Umesh, assistant
professor in charge of the Transdisciplinary R&D, said that the roles
of the SEARCH project are not limited to disaster response. It will be
an educational hub that is also capable of providing Coastal
Regulations Zone officials with data that will aid environmental
management decisions. The system has various applications built in that
monitor water and air quality and observe such conditions as erosion.

This is Graham Kemp VK4BB.

(PRUTHVIRAJ UMESH)


**
COMPANY PRODUCES VIDEO ON REPEATERS' EVOLUTION

NEIL/ANCHOR: When it comes to radio, there is often very little gap
between the amateur and professional realms. A short video created by
two hams about two-way radio systems for business use is making the
rounds of social media, shedding the kind of light that hams find
useful too, as we hear from Patrick Clark K8TAC.

PATRICK: Executive producer Mark Abrams, WA6DPB, coproducer Mark
Lidikay [LID-Uh-KAY], KE6TNM and producer/director Keith Salmon call
their 15-minute video "The History of Two-Way Radios." It gives a
glimpse into the earliest personal hand-held radios of the 20th
century, the evolution of repeaters and ultimately, the development of
networked and trunked repeaters. The narrative combines a technical
overview with a short history lesson. Its screening in September at the
Cannes Corporate Media and TV Film Festival garnered it a Silver
Dolphin award, one of the festival's top corporate media honors.

No, it's not a full-fledged theatrical film but it does feature some
lighter moments including a cameo appearance by Bigfoot - so clearly,
the dialogue here is not just talk about tech.

Mark Lidikay told Newsline in an email that the video's story of the
modern networked trunking used by Mark Abrams' California business,
Mobile Relay Associates, holds particular interest for amateurs,
especially as HTs increasingly make use of the digital modes. He said
[quote] "It has been a mystery to most hams and it was one of our
focuses to make the concept more understandable." [endquote]

The YouTube video can be seen by following the link in the text version
of this week's newscast.

[DO NOT READ: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SC_u1ASPVU ]

This is Patrick Clark K8TAC.

(MARK LIDIKAY, KE6TNM)

**
BREAK HERE: Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur
Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world including
the AH6LE repeater in Beavercreek and Wilsonville, Oregon, on Sundays
at 6 p.m. local time.

**
PRESENTERS NEEDED FOR DIGITAL CONFERENCE

NEIL/ANCHOR: Presenters are needed to discuss the challenges of amateur
radio and digital communication for attendees at a February conference
in Utah. Andy Morrison K9AWM tells us what the organizers have planned.

ANDY: The Utah Digital Communications Conference unites amateur radio
operators and the world of makers with an eye toward exploring the
latest in cutting-edge technology. Organizers are looking for
presentations to be made on any number of topics, including the use of
digital modes in emergency community, and the various roles a
do-it-yourselfer can take on. Topics can be geared to beginners as well
as those who are more advanced in digital technology. The conference is
happening in Sandy, Utah, on the 3rd of February. Activities will
include fox hunting and operating from a get-on-the-air station that
uses DMR and FT8.

If you wish to present on a related topic, visit the conference website
to find more details. The link is in the text version of this week's
newscast at arnewsline.org

[DO NOT READ: https://utah-dcc.square.site/ ]

This is Andy Morrison K9AWM.

**

DXPEDITIONERS PLANNING TRIP TO VANUATU

NEIL/ANCHOR: Although we're still finishing up 2023, a group of
DXpeditioners is already making big plans for 2024 -- and their island
destination isn't exactly rough wilderness. We hear about it from John
Williams VK4JJW.

JOHN: Vanuatu has everything a traveling amateur could want: a
beachfront for activating, scenic views and - well - an airport served
by commercial airliners, along with luxury rental housing and electric
service. The Southwest Pacific country is a popular DX, however, and
the YJ DXpedition is heading there, to Efate Island, in October of next
year. The team leader, Van Herridge, N4VGE, is accepting applications
for the 14-day trip, which is being timed to coincide with the CQ WW DX
Phone Contest on October 26th and 27th. The group is looking for three
or four more experienced amateurs and yes, spouses are welcome.
Per-person cost for the group of eight is expected to be less than
$5,000 US dollars and includes the cost of housing, insurance, meals, a
car and, of course a round-trip flight. For details, send an email to
Van at v a n h e r r i d g e at gmail.com (vanhe...@gmail.com)

This is John Williams VK4JJW.

(VAN HERRIDGE, N4VGE)

**
BOUVET ISLAND DXPEDITION ADDING REMOTE OPERATION

NEIL/ANCHOR: The Bouvet Island 3Y0K DXpedition set for January 2025
will have a three-person team of operators and a four-person support
team during its 21 days on this coveted DX island - but there is yet
another way to get involved in being on the air with the Bouvet Island
team. Jim Meachen ZL2BHF explains.

JIM: The Bouvet Island Dxpedition is adding remote operation to its
plans for this very remote island. The team announced on its website
that veteran DXpeditioner George AA7JV will be involved with the
remote-operating team and will design, test and provide the radio
system and power supply. The remote operators will be able to activate
on the 30m to 10m bands. The team is looking for CW and FT8 ops with
remote-station operating experience. The long trip to the island is not
required for this activation. If you are interested contact Kenneth
Opskar LA7GIA by email at ken...@opskar.no

This is Jim Meachen ZL2BHF.

**

WORLD OF DX

In the World of DX, listen for Luca, IV3JVJ, and Ivan, IK3ZAQ,
operating as 3B9AT from Rodrigues Island, IOTA Number AF-017, between
the 27th of December and the 6th of January. They will operate SSB, CW
and FT8 on 80-10 metres. See QRZ.com for QSL details.

Michel, F8GGZ, will be on the air as TM100GE on the 22nd to the 31st of
December. The special callsign is in recognition of the 100th
anniversary of the death of French civil engineer Gustave Eiffel, for
whom the tower in Paris is named. He is also known for his involvement
in the construction of the Statue of Liberty in New York City. QSL via
the bureau.

Listen for Gert, PA2LO, operating as J8TT from St. Vincent, IOTA
Number NA-109, from the 26th of December to the 5th of January. He will
operate SSB, CW and digital modes on 40-6 metres. See QRZ.com for QSL
details.

Edmondo, VA3ITA, will be on the air holiday style as PJ7/VA3ITA from
Saint Martin, IOTA Number NA-105, on the 24th through the 31st of
December. He will operate SSB and the digital modes on 40-10 metres.
QSL via LoTW only.

(425 DX BULLETIN)

**
KICKER: IF CLEMENT CLARKE MOORE HAD BEEN A HAM, HE MIGHT HAVE
WRITTENTHIS

NEIL/ANCHOR: The Newsline family, like many families, has its holiday
traditions. Once again this year we'd like to share a treasured one
with you, our listeners, along with our best wishes for this festive
season and the days beyond. It's the poem "The Night Before Christmas
Shack," adapted from Clement Clarke Moore's classic "A Visit from St.
Nicholas" by an unknown author. It is brought to life -- and to your
ears -- by Newsline's own Jim Damron N8TMW.

JIM: TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS AND ALL THROUGH THE SHACK THE RIG
WAS TURNED OFF AND THE MIKE CORD LAY SLACK.

THE ANTENNA ROTOR HAD MADE ITS LAST TURN, THE TUBES IN THE LINEAR HAD
LONG CEASED TO BURN.

I SAT THERE RELAXING AND TOOK OFF MY SPECS, PREPARING TO DAYDREAM OF
ARMCHAIR DX... WHEN SUDDENLY OUTSIDE I HEARD SUCH A SOUND, I DASHED OUT
THE DOOR TO SEE WHAT WAS AROUND.

THE MOON SHONE BRIGHTLY AND LIGHTED THE NIGHT. FOR SURE, PROPAGATION
FOR THE LOW BANDS WAS RIGHT.

I PEERED TOWARDS THE ROOF WHERE I HEARD ALL THE RACKET, AND THERE WAS
SOME GUY IN A RED, FUR-TRIMMED JACKET.

I STOOD THERE PERPLEXED IN A MANNER QUITE GIDDY. JUST WHO WAS THIS
STRANGERâ-"DI DI DAH DAH DI DIT?

HE LOOKED VERY MUCH LIKE AN FCC GUY WHO'D COME TO CHECK UP ON SOME BAD
TVI.

I SHOUTED TO HIM: "OLD MANâ-"Q-R-ZED? HEY, YOU BY THE CHIMNEY, ALL
DRESSED UP IN RED!" I SUDDENLY KNEW WHEN I HEARD SLEIGH BELLS JINGLE,
THE GUY ON THE ROOFTOP WAS JOLLY KRIS KRINGLE.

HE HAD A BIG SACKFUL OF AMATEUR GEAR, WHICH WAS A BIG LOAD FOR HIS
PRANCING REINDEER. TRANSMITTERS, RECEIVERS, FOR CABINETS AND RACKS;
SOME METERS AND SCOPES AND A LOT OF COAX.

HE SAID NOT A WORD CAUSE HE'D FINISHED HIS WORK. HE PICKED UP HIS SACK,
THEN HE TURNED WITH A JERK. AS HE LEAPED TO HIS SLEIGH, HE SHOUTED WITH
GLEE, AND I KNEW IN A MOMENT THAT HE'D BE QRT.

I HEARD HIM TRANSMIT AS HE FLEW O'ER THE TREES: "MERRY CHRISTMAS TO
ALL..AND TO ALL SEVENTY THREE!:

**
THE ULTIMATE HAIKI CHALLENGE

NEIL/ANCHOR: Earlier this year, Newsline launched its Haiku Challenge,
inviting listeners to share their impressions, thoughts and experiences
in amateur radio by using the traditional form of Japanese poetry. This
is a just-for-fun kind of challenge because bringing you the news
shouldn't be serious business all the time, right? Our Newsline crew is
now looking over the group of winners chosen for each week thus far and
next week we will announce the top haiku among them. The author will
have the option of reading it on the newscast -- or if they'd rather
not, we will read it on air for them. Be listening! Meanwhile, if you
are inspired to write a haiku this week, please submit it. We will
include it in our selection of haikus for 2024. Follow the rules on our
website at arnewsline.org

NEWSCAST CLOSE: With thanks to Amateur Radio Daily; ARRL; CQ Magazine;
David Behar K7DB; 425DXNews; Radio Amateurs of Canada;
shortwaveradio.de; Wireless Institute of Australia; Van Herridge,
N4VGE; YouTube; 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
2023. All rights reserved.