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Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2326 for Friday May 27th, 2022

Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2326 with a release date of Friday
May 27th, 2022 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.

The following is a QST. Hamvention returns to Xena and so do the hams.
Amateurs make contact with China's Mars Mission -- and CQ magazine
welcomes this year's Hall of Fame inductees. All this and more as
Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2326 comes your way right now.

**
BILLBOARD CART

**
HAMVENTION RETURNS TO XENIA AFTER TWO-YEAR ABSENCE

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: This week's newscast offers expanded coverage of the
first Hamvention to be held in the United States after two years of
pandemic cancellations. Paul Braun WD9GCO was among those there - and
he gives us a wrap-up of the weekend.

PAUL: Thousands of hams once again converged on the Greene County
Fairgrounds in Xenia, Ohio as Hamvention returned after a two-year
absence due to COVID-19. Judging by reports from attendees, people were definitely ready to come back. The weather was typical for Hamvention,
and a storm did come through late on Saturday, but anyone who's been to Hamvention knows that rain is nothing unusual.

The Hamvention committee, along with all of the volunteers from the
Dayton Amateur Radio Association, planned a full schedule of events and
forums that were well-attended. The vendor buildings were fairly full,
with a few noticeable vendors from years past absent, but those that
did set up had, by all accounts, a good amount of traffic.

The legendary Hamvention flea market did seem slower than in recent
years according to eyewitnesses. However, with the threat of storms and
the still-uncertain COVID conditions, coupled with higher-than usual
gas prices, it didn't seem out of line.

There were also many offsite events, including open houses at DARA and
the National Voice Of America Museum of Broadcasting.

Our congratulations to the Hamvention Committee and all of the DARA
volunteers on a job well done. It was good to see Hamvention return,
and we at Newsline hope to return to Hamvention next year.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Paul Braun, WD9GCO reporting from
Xenia, Ohio.

**
CQ MAGAZINE INDUCTS 2022 HALL OF FAME MEMBERS

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: The annual Dayton contest dinner held during the
Hamvention weekend on May 21st saw the induction of two new members
into the CQ Contest Hall of Fame. Recipient David Pascoe, KM3T, is
well-known for his championships and record scores as well as his
charitable work as a volunteer pilot for those with medical needs.
Craig Thompson, K9CT, developer of the North American Collegiate
Championship program, was the other recipient, recognized for his work
with Contest University and numerous other initiatives. CQ's Amateur
Radio Hall of Fame added seven new names, three of whom are Silent
Keys. They are the late jazz pianist Robert Ringwald, K6YBV; Franklin
Antonio, N6NKF, philanthropist and cofounder of chipmaker Qualcomm; and
Wolf Harranth, OE1WHC/OE3WHC, Radio Austria International broadcast
journalist. The other inductees are R. Scott Wright, K0MD, Mayo Clinic physician leading the team developing COVID-19 treatment with
convalescent plasma; Peter Marks, AB3XC, the physician leading the
team at the US Food and Drug Administation overseeing COVID-19
vaccines, treatment and testing; Les Kramer, WA3SGZ, developer of
prosthetic devices for lower limbs and Roy Lewallan, W7EL, author of
the EZNEC antenna modelling software that has set standards for ham
radio antenna design.

(SOUTHGATE, CQ MAGAZINE)

**
A NEW CHAPTER FOR LIBRARIES ON THE AIR

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Elsewhere in Ohio, amateurs have been gearing up to
activate a place known mostly for offering study and quiet
contemplation: the local public library. Jack Parker W8ISH tells us
about this upcoming event.

JACK: Now here's one for the books - in this case, the library books as
well as the log books. It's an activation by the Western Reserve
Amateur Radio Club called Libraries on the Air. It's happening on
Saturday, June 18th at the Youngstown Public Library Main Branch in
Ohio. This first-time activation is inspired in part by the working relationship the hams already have with the county library system,
which has been hosting the club's holding workshops, license classes
and testing sessions.

Just like any popular library book, this event has started to go into circulation. Amanda Farone, KC3GFU, the club's secretary, told Newsline
that a club in Missouri plans to participate on the same day and
activate one of their local libraries. There's also been interest from
a club in Kentucky. Amanda told Newsline: [quote] "We would love for
this to go nationwide at some point and get as many libraries activated
as possible." [endquote]

Amanda said the event is being run in a style similar to Parks on the
Air but for now, paper logs and Excel-type spreadsheets are being
accepted until a logging software can be developed in time for next
year's event. Amanda said that if the event gains enough traction, the
club's activation can expand beyond the main branch to all 11 libraries
in the county. Hams will be on the air from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. local
time. You won't need to carry a library card but keep those QSL
cardshandy.

For additional details, send an email to libraries o t a at gmail.com (librariesota@gmail.com)

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jack Parker W8ISH.

(AMANDA FARONE, KC3GFU)

**
SILENT KEY: NOTED SELLER OF ELECTRONICS SURPLUS GOODS JOHN
BIRKETT,G8OPP

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: A name well-known for decades to radio enthusiasts in
Great Britain has become a Silent Key. We hear about his remarkable
life and career from Jeremy Boot G4NJH.

JEREMY: Radio components of every kind imaginable were a speciality for
John Birkett G8OPP who opened his first shop, J Birkett, in Lincoln in
1960. With that small business, John served subsequent generations of
radio enthusiasts, supplying hard-to-find components and surplus
equipment, everything from military and test devices to wire and
cables. John was also a friendly, familiar face at radio rallies where
he became a much-sought-out attendee.

John became a Silent Key at the age of 93 on 30th April. His death was
recently reported on a number of ham radio news sites. His obituary on
the website of the Radio Society of Great Britain recalled how his shop
evolved into more than a collection of components and equipment; it was
a gathering spot for those who shared the bond of radio and the spirit
of experimentation and creativity. His motto was "not a piece of junk
in sight."

A post dated 20th May on the website Hackaday paid tribute to what was ultimately the worldwide presence of this very local shop: [quote]
"Though many of you from beyond where this is being written may never
have heard of him, the chances are that if you follow electronics
enthusiasts from the UK, you will have unwittingly seen items which
passed through his hands." [endquote]

For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Jeremy Boot G4NJH.

(RSGB, HACKADAY, SOUTHGATE)

**
SILENT KEY: RICHARD MACKAY VK2HRM, HAM CLUB FOUNDING PRESIDENT

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: One of the architects of the Snowy Mountains Amateur
Radio Club in New South Wales, Australia, has become a Silent Key. With
that report, here's Jason Daniels VK2LAW.

JASON: Richard MacKay VK2HRM didn't just help bring the Snowy Mountains
Amateur Radio Club into being in the early 2000s; he served as its
president to shepherd it through its earliest days. The New South Wales amateur, whose love of radio was ignited by his earliest adventures on
citizens band, became a Silent Key on the 4th of May. An appreciation
of his life, penned by Bill Steptoe, VK2ZZF, and posted on the club's
website, said that Richard, an automotive engineer by profession, was
also the guiding force behind the club's VK2RSM repeater systems. The
systems operated on 70 cms, 2m and 6 m and had links to repeaters in
Jindabyne and Nimmitabel. According to Bill's post about Richard, his
health had been failing in recent years and that curtailed his active involvement with the club. Bill wrote: [quote[ "Richard will be greatly
missed as a friend and great mate." [endquote] Richard was 61.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jason Daniels VK2LAW. (SNOWY MOUNTAINS
ARC WEBSITE, MONARO POST)

**

BREAK HERE: Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur
Radio Newsline heard on bulletin stations around the world including
the KV3B repeater in Rockville, Maryland on Sundays after the net at
7:30 p.m. local time.

**

HEIL REBRANDS AMATEUR RADIO DIVISION

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Heil Sound Communications, well-known in the amateur
community and in the world of professional audio, has announced a
rebranding of its Ham Radio division. The division website has been
redesigned and its product packaging will also have a new look. The
company said that after having given a new look to its pro division
last year, it realized it was time to overhaul the ham radio side. Heil
Sound said in a statement that the changes achieve the goal customers
had requested, creating an entity separate from the pro side of the
market. The company was established by Bob Heil K9EID decades ago. A
change in ownership within the company was announced in February of
this year, with Bob staying as CEO emeritus and continuing his
involvement in amateur radio product design.

(HEIL SOUND, ICQ PODCAST)

**

LAST CHANCE TO NOMINATE YOUNG HAM OF THE YEAR

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: If you are hearing this report before May 31st, you
still have time to nominate a talented young radio amateur for
Newsline's Bill Pasternak Memorial Young Ham of the Year Award.
Consider sending us the name and qualifications of a licensed radio
operator 18 years of age or younger who lives in the continental United
States. Find details and application forms on our website
arnewsline.org under the "YHOTY" tab. Remember our deadline is May31st.
**

AMATEURS RECEIVE TRANSMISSIONS FROM CHINA'S MARS MISSION

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Almost a year after its launch, China's Mars mission
has made contact with hams here on Earth. Ed Durrant DD5LP has those
details.

ED: AMSAT-DL reports that it has successfully received transmissions
from Tianwen-1, the Chinese Mars mission. According to a recently
published report, this took place at Bochum Observatory in Germany
using a 20-meter antenna and GNU radio. GNU radio is free open-source
software used to create software-defined radios. The report, written by
Daniel EstÃ(c)vez EA4GPZ, Mario Lorenz DL5MLO and Peter Gülzow DB2OS,
said that the Chinese spacecraft has been successfully tracked using a real-time GNU radio decoder that has stored 10 months' worth of
transmitted telemetry information. By interpreting the telemetry
variables, the GNU radio was able to track the mission, which began
with its launch on July 23rd of last year.

The paper was first published for GNU Radio Conference 2021 held last
September in North Carolina. The radio conference for 2022 is scheduled
for September in Washington, D.C.

For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Ed Durrant DD5LP.

(SOUTHGATE)


**

SOUTH AFRICAN RADIO LEAGUE HISTORY PROJECT NEEDS HELP

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: History isn't always what it seems and so the South
African Radio League is reaching out to amateurs there who may have
documents and artifacts that better tell the story of how the league
was created. John Williams VK4JJW brings us that story.

JOHN: Amateur radio forever looks forward to the next generation to
ensure its survival but the South African Radio League has begun
looking back - way back - to better discover its identity. Sorting
through the scrapbooks in the garage of a Silent Key has led some
league members to conclude there's more to its history than was
previously known. That has led to a project at the National Amateur
Radio Centre, the league's headquarters, involving a bit of a treasure
hunt. Amateurs in South Africa are asked to sort through old magazines
and other materials they have that contain insights into the league and
its predecessor organisations. Hams are also being asked to look at
programmes from past years' annual general meetings as well as photos
taken there. The project would welcome original material or anything
that can be scanned or photographed or perhaps brought to the National
Amateur Radio Centre. If you have anything to share, please contact the
centre.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm John Williams VK4JJW.(WIA)

**
SOUTH AFRICAN CLUB SCHEDULES YOUNGSTERS' FOX HUNT

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: While some hams in South Africa may be hot on the trail
of radio history, members of the Sandton Amateur Radio Club ZS6STN have
been more concerned with tracking two radio foxes named Fred and Fiona.
The club has organized a fox-hunting event for amateurs and their
families scheduled for Sunday the 29th of May. The foxes are carrying
VHF emergency rescue beacons but according to the club's scenario, will
be lost in the park and in need for the youngsters to be their
rescuers. Participants are asked to bring their HTs, an antenna and oh
yes, their appetites for lunch afterward. Hopefully Fred and Fiona will
be found in time to share in the menu too.

(SOUTHGATE)

**
PRIDE RADIO GROUP PREPS FOR INTERNATIONAL CONTEST

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Get ready for the first international contest being
organized by the Pride Radio Group. It's a big moment for this
still-young Australia-based organization, as Graham Kemp VK4BB tellsus.

GRAHAM: Barely two years after its founding, the Pride Radio Group is
hosting its first contest for hams worldwide during pride month, which
begins in June. The contest, CQ Pride, will be held from June 4th to
June 6th. It is open to amateurs in single and multi-operator
categories on all HF non WARC, VHF and UHF bands and using all
usualmodes.

Organiser Michaela, VK3FUR, said that the Pride Radio Group event is a celebration of diversity within the amateur radio community. Michaela
said that small clubs and individual newcomers are especially welcome.
Contacts can be on CW, phone and digital and may be made using
satellites, repeaters, hotspots and internet links provided RF is
involved in at least one hop. Participants may spot other stations but
not themselves.

Additional details are available at the link provided in the text
version of this week's newscast script at arnewsline.org.

[FOR PRINT, DO NOT READ: https://prideradio.group/contest ]

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Graham Kemp VK4BB.

(PRIDE RADIO GROUP)

**
WORLD OF DX

In the World of DX, be listening for special event call sign 9M22DX
from West Malaysia between June 1st and the 30th. The activation is
designed to promote mountain radio operation as well as DX. Between
June 3rd and 5th, this callsign will be used from the Bukit Perangin
summit on various HF bands and modes. For the rest of the month, the
activation will continue as a DXpedition. QSL to 9M2CDX direct or via
ClubLog.

Leonard, K1NU, will be active as K1JV from Shelter Key in Key Colony
Beach, Florida between June 11th and 18th. Listen on various HF bands
where Leonard will be using CW and FT8. QSL direct to the home call, to
ClubLog or via LoTW.

(OHIO PENN DX)
**
KICKER: AT HAMVENTION, LOST AND FOUND AGAIN

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: We end this week with a story of one of the unexpected
bonuses of going to Hamvention this year. It's not finding a good price
on a new rig or antenna or even winning a grand prize at a drawing.
It's discovering something - or someone - believed to have been lost
long ago. Mike Askins KE5CXP brings us that story now.

MIKE: When the organizers of Hamvention declared it would be a Reunion
Weekend this year after two years of pandemic cancellations, they had
no idea how true the word "reunion" would ring for two hams in
attendance. Shortly after Jocelyn Brault (pronounced "BRO")
KD8VRX/VA2VRX and Jeff Menard (MAY NARD) VA2SS were introduced to one
another by a mutual friend, Jeff had a flash of recognition and told
Jocelyn: [quote[ "You look familiar, don't I know you?" [endquote]
Jocelyn, who lives in Ohio but is originally from Montreal, didn't
think so, especially since Jeff is from Quebec. He was certain Jeff was mistaken. Still, Jeff kept pressing for details as both of them
continued talking and it turns out his hunch was right: The pair had
known one another a lifetime ago: It was on a campus in Sherbrooke,
Quebec, where both had been college students. Jeff and Jocelyn were
nearly 30 years younger at the time and neither one had taken that leap
yet into amateur radio.

Fast-forward now to the Xenia Fairgrounds, former college friends from
Canda reunited in Ohio by amateur radio.

The two exchanged call signs, their contact information and a promise
to stay in touch - on and off the air. All it took was the fine-tuning
of Hamvention's Reunion Weekend to put two friends back on the same
wavelength.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Mike Askins KE5CXP.

(JOCELYN BRAULT, KD8VRX/VA2VRX)

**
NEWSCAST CLOSE: With thanks to Amanda Farone, KC3GFU; the ARRL; CQ
Magazine; David Behar K7DB; DXWorld.net; Hackaday; Heil Sound; ICQ
Podcast; Jocelyn Brault, KD8VRX/VA2VRX), Monaro Post; Ohio Penn DX;
Pride Radio Group; QRZ.com; Snowy Mountains Amateur Radio Club; the
Radio Society of Great Britain; South African Radio League; Southgate
Amateur Radio News; shortwaveradio.de; Wireless Institute of Australia;
and you our listeners, that's all from the Amateur Radio Newsline. You
can write to us at newsline@arnewsline.org. 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.

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 Newsline(tm) is Copyright 2022. All rights reserved.

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