XPost: rec.radio.amateur.misc, rec.radio.amateur.policy, rec.radio.info

Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2364 for Friday February 17th, 2023

Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2364 with a release date of Friday February 17th, 2023 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.

The following is a QST. Goodbye, Bouvet Island. A wake-up call for
weather preparedness in Texas -- and Brazil says goodbye to a noted
DXer and DXpeditioner. All this and more as Amateur Radio Newsline
Report Number 2364 comes your way right now.

**
BILLBOARD CART

**
BREAKING NEWS: AMATEUR BALLOON'S FATE A MYSTERY

PAUL/ANCHOR: We begin this week with the latest chapter in the story of
mystery balloons being shot down over North America by US military
planes. The first and most famous, of course, was a suspected Chinese
spy balloon. The audio of the Air Force pilots' communications was
recorded successfully by an aviation enthusiast and radio buff during
the downing of the balloon.

However, as Newsline went to production, questions were being raised
about the whereabouts of an amateur radio balloon with the callsign
K9YO-15 launched last October by a group known as the Northern Illinois Bottlecap Balloon Brigade. Unconfirmed reports say the 32-inch sphere
carrying a 10-gram payload may be the same one that was shot down over
the Canadian Yukon. Lightweight and relatively inexpensive to build,
its payload, with a solar panel package and a tracker in the middle, transmitted APRS telemetry on HF at very low power.

Cary Willis, KD9ITO, a member of the group, said the balloon has been
declared missing in action and is considered lost.

According to a post on the websiteRTL-SDR.COM, a memo from the US
Pentagon said an object was shot down over Canada that appeared to be a
"small metallic balloon with a tethered payload." [endquote] The
description closely fits that of K9YO-15.

Cary told Newsline in an email: [quote] "I suppose anything is
possible." [endquote] He said FBI agents visited the balloon program's
website and spent time with members of the group on a conference call.
Cary said: [quote] "I shared that besides having fun, we're here to
teach others how to build and launch Pico Balloons legally, following
the Code of Federal Regulations relating to balloons." [endquote] He
said he told others on the balloon team that they should be proud of
the project and what it has accomplished.

He added [quote] "Personally, I believe that if we were shot down, what
a wonderful way to end our flight." [endquote]

(RTL-SDR.COM, CARY WILLIS, KD9ITO)

**
DXPEDITIONERS LEAVE BOUVET ISLAND

PAUL/ANCHOR: We move next to Bouvet Island where the 3Y0J)DXpedition is history, as we hear from Graham Kemp VK4BB.

GRAHAM: Goodbye-Bouvet Island. Goodbye from the DXpedition team Three
Why Zero Jay, which departed on Tuesday, February 14th after striking
down camp. Goodbye too to the chasers who, whether they were
disappointed or not, have turned to other pursuits. As Newsline went to production, team leader Ken LA7GIA announced that with all equipment
and team members on board, the sail would commence onwards to Cape
Town, South Africa, where they expected to arrive on or about the 23rd
of February. There was a possibility of /MM operation while enroute.
Team members do not have access to the log, which will be handled by
QSL Manager M0OXO.

I'm Graham Kemp, VK4BB

(DX-WORLD.NET)

**
WAKE-UP CALL FOR WEATHER PREPAREDNESS

PAUL/ANCHOR: The tragic death of an older man in fast-moving flood
waters prompted emergency responders in Texas to review their weather
spotting and communications strategies. Randy Sly W4XJ explains what
they did.

RANDY: In late January, Hunt and Rockwell counties in North Texas
received a "wake-up call" when an elderly man died after his SUV was
swept away by flood waters. In the wake of that deadly flooding, Bianca
Garcia, from the National Weather Service, held Skywarn training in the
city of Greenville, at the invitation of the Hunt County Office of
Homeland Security/Emergency Management and the Greenville Fire-Rescue Department. The seminar covered the various threats posed by severe thunderstorms, severe weather safety and storm reporting. Even with
radar and satellite imaging, Garcia emphasized the import role spotters
play. She told the audience, "You guys are presenting that special set
of human eyes for us on the ground."

Many of the attendees were members of the Sabine Valley Amateur Radio Association, which provides trained spotters to the National Weather
Service and emergency management agencies. Following the meeting, a
three-night course was also offered on how to become an amateur radio
operator. The wake-up call was heeded and those North Texas counties
are now more storm ready.

This is Randy Sly, W4XJ

**
HAMS ADD MOMENTUM TO PANCREATIC CANCER EVENT

PAUL/ANCHOR: A call has gone out for operators across the United States
to participate in a one-day special event, carrying a message of hope
and support on behalf of pancreatic cancer patients. Jim Damron N8TMW
tells us how to get involved.

JIM: When supporters in 30 US cities step off for a Walk-a-thon on
Saturday, April 29th to support the nonprofit Pancreatic Cancer Action
Network, the event will be gaining some added momentum: Just as the
walkers take strides on the ground, special event station N3P will be
taking strides on the air.

Hams for PanCan, as the event is known, is an expansion of last year's
first effort with a dozen or so members of the Skyview Radio Society
near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, according to organizer Rich Ryba, WQ3Q.
Rich hopes that news about resources available to pancreatic cancer
patients and their families can go an even greater distance this year
-- coast to coast. The event has special significance for Rich. He lost
his younger brother to the disease and is a pancreatic cancer patient
himself.

Speaking to Newsline on the phone, he said that the QSOs aren't typical special-event exchanges: [quote] "People want to talk, want to share
their experiences with their family. We told our operators to sit and
listen. It doesn't matter how long the contact takes if it serves a
purpose of helping." [endquote]

Operators are needed in all 50 states. Rich can be contacted directly
at his email address r-y-b-a-r at nb dot net (rybar@nb.net).

The QRZ.com page for N3P has additional details for clubs or individual operators who want to participate. QSL cards and certificates will be
made available for successful contacts.

This is Jim Damron N8TMW.

(RICH RYBA, WQ3Q)

**
SYDNEY HAM RADIO CLUB MARKS 100TH YEAR

PAUL/ANCHOR: There is cause for celebration in Sydney, Australia, where
one amateur radio club is marking a milestone. Here's Richard VK2SKY, a
member of that club, with his special report.

RICHARD: G'day Amateur Radio Newsline listeners, this is Richard
VK2SKY, for the Manly-Warringah Radio Society in Sydney, Australia.
February 26 this year is a big day for us.

That date marks 100 years since the first meeting of the Manly and
District Radio Club, in 1923. That club eventually became the
Manly-Warringah Radio Society.

To celebrate, we'll be activating the Special Event Station V I 100 MB,
on the day, and throughout 2023.

To find out more, check out Victor India One Hundred Mike Bravo on
qrz.com, and visit the Society's web site at mwrs.org.au, that's Mike
Whiskey Romeo Sierra dot org dot au.

Hope to catch you on the bands!

For Amateur Radio Newsline and the Manly-Warringah Radio Society in
Sydney, Australia, I'm Richard VK2SKY

**
SILENT KEY: DXER, DXPEDITIONER MAMIRO YOSHIZAWA PY2DM

PAUL/ANCHOR: A respected DXer and noted DXpeditioner from Brazil has
become a Silent Key, as we learn from Jeremy Boot G4NJH.

JEREMY: Mamiro Yoshizawa PY2DM was well-known among Brazilian amateurs
as a radio operator with an enthusiasm for DX and a special affinity
for using the 50 MHz band. He was a familiar presence in national and international contests and had been a key operator during the T30PY
and T30SIX DXpedition to Western Kiribati in 2012. Mamiro became a
Silent Key on the 5th of February. According to a report that appears
on QRZ.com, Mamiro's home QTH in the Brazilian city of Mogi das Cruzes
had one of the best-equipped stations for DXing in the nation

Mamiro Yoshizawa was 83.

This is Jeremy Boot G4NJH.

(QRZ.COM)

**
OFCOM APPROVES SPECIAL CALLS FOR 2 MORE DX CONTESTS

PAUL/ANCHOR: In the UK, Ofcom has added two more DX contests to its
list of events qualifying for special call signs. Jeremy Boot G4NJH has
that report.

JEREMY: Two UK and Ireland DX contests have been added to the list of
events that qualify for special contest callsigns from Ofcom. The
callsigns are administered by the Radio Society of Great Britain on
behalf of the regulator and hams are advised to visit the RSGB website
if they wish to apply. They are available to any holder of a UK Amateur
Radio Full Licence or Full Club Licence and the contests can last no
longer than 48 hours. The list of qualifying contests can be seen on
the RSGB website. Calls will begin with the letter "G" or "M" followed
by a numeral and a one-letter suffix. See the link in the text version
of this week's Newsline script to learn more and to see the contest
list.

This is Jeremy Boot G4NJH.

[FOR PRINT ONLY: tinyurl.com/b6srkkhu ]

**

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.

**
CW/AM EVENT CELEBRATES VINTAGE GEAR

PAUL/ANCHOR: If the evolution of radio gear interests you - and if you
own and operate some of the earliest rigs - you might want to plan for
a big operating event next month. Kevin Trotman N5PRE tells us what's
involved.

KEVIN: Age matters. It's even worth points if you're a ham taking part
in the John Rollins Memorial CW/AM DX event in March. The event is
organized by the Antique Wireless Association and you don't have to be
a member to participate. If you are using a transmitter and receiver manufactured before 1970, you can score big points. Likewise, any
homebrew gear using tubes that were available before 1970 is also in
the running.

The activity takes place on 80, 40 and 20 meters on Wednesday March 1st
and Thursday March 2nd, and again on Saturday March 4th and Sunday
March 5th. Power is limited to 100 watts for CW and 100 watts carrier
level for AM.

For details on scoring, visit the association website at the link
provided in the text version of this week's newscast script at
arnewsline.org

The event is named for association member John Rollins, W1FPZ, who was
a well-known home-brewer of radio equipment. John became a Silent Key
in March of 2008.

This is Kevin Trotman N5PRE.

[DO NOT READ: https://www.antiquewireless.org/homepage/event-details-for-rollins-dx-e
vent/ ]


**
FCC CREATES ROOM FOR 16 NEW FM RADIO STATIONS

PAUL/ANCHOR: The FCC has made room for 16 new broadcast stations on FM
and expects there will be competition for the spots on the spectrum.
Here's that report from Kent Peterson KC0DGY.

KENT: There could be a handful of new FM radio stations on the air in
small rural communities from Minnesota and Missouri to Texas and
Vermont: the FCC has opened up 16 FM allotments in areas eligible for a
new service. The FM table is updated by the FCC after its staff
engineers determine that the vacant allotments comply with the agency's
minimum distance separation requirements and city-grade coverage
requirements.

The areas that are eligible for a new FM service include Grand Portage, Minnesota; Bunker, Missouri; Junction and Sonora in Texas; and Barton,
Vermont.

The FCC says all new FM commercial allotments are subject to an auction process, and competing applications may be filed once the commission
decides it is ready to accept applications.

When competing applications are filed, an auction may need to occur
before the allotments are decided.

This is Kent Peterson KC0DGY.

(FCC, RADIOWORLD)

**
HOTEL BOOKINGS BEGIN FOR WRTC IN BOLOGNA

PAUL/ANCHOR: A major world radio event, postponed from last year,
suddenly got more real with the start of hotel bookings. John Williams
VK4JJW tells us about it.

JOHN: Competitors and referees received the earliest access to hotel
bookings for the World Radiosport Team Championship which is to be held
this July in Bologna, Italy. The online booking system opened on
February 1st. The next round of reservations began on February 7th for
visitors and others. According to details on the WRTC Reflector message
list hotels throughout the surrounding area will be providing support
for competitors, referees, judges, sponsors and the contest committee.

To see details about the WRTC and who its competitors are, visit
wrtc2022 dot it (wrtc2022.it)

The World Radiosport Team Championship is held every four years in a
different host country. This year's event is a postponement from last
year when health concerns during the pandemic caused it to be called
off. Two-member teams whose members have qualified for the event will
arrive from every continent to compete in this 24-hour nonstop
competition, which is often referred to as the Olympics of amateur
radio.

This is John Williams VK4JJW.

(WRTC REFLECTOR)

**

WORLD OF DX

In the World of DX, listen for Antonio, CT1FFU, operating holiday style
as D4T from Ilha do Sal, IOTA number AF-086, Cape Verde, until the 22nd
of February. He is using SSB, CW and digital modes on the HF bands and
6 metres. He will also make contacts via QO-100. QSL via his home call
direct or by the bureau. He will upload his log to Club Log.

Philippe, F1DUZ is using the callsign FG4KH from Guadeloupe, IOTA
number NA-102, from February 15th through to March 8th. He will also participate in the SSB portion of the "Coupe du REF" contest on the
25th and 26th of February as well as the ARRL DX SSB contest on the 4th
and 5th of March. QSL via LoTW, eQSL, or direct to F1DUZ.

Saudi Arabia's Founding Day are being commemorated by special event
stations 7Z3FD, 8Z3FD and HZ3FD until the 22nd of February, which is
the actual date of the celebration. QSL via HZ1SAR; the logs will be
uploaded to Club Log.

Eric, F5LCX, is on the air holiday style from Togo as 5V23LE until the
25th of February. QSL via LoTW.

Listen for Dom, VK2HJ, using the call sign VK2HJ/VK9 from Norfolk
Island, IOTA number OC-005, from the 17th through to the 20th of
February. He is using SSB on 40 through 10 metres. QSL via eQSL.

(425 DX BULLETIN)

**
KICKER: WEARABLE FABRIC HELPS 'SING THE BODY ELECTRIC'

PAUL/ANCHOR: Our final story comes from Ralph Squillace KK6ITB. Prepare
to get a real charge out of it. A real charge.

RALPH: OK, so here's a real yarn for you. Yes - a real yarn, the kind
of which sweaters are made. These are high-tech fibers known as
twistrons, which scientists developed about five years ago. Unlike
conventional knitting yarns, twistrons are spun from carbon nanotubes, resulting in lightweight material that increases in density whenever it
is twisted or stretched. The result from all that stretching isn't
necessarily a better-fitting sweater, however -- it's voltage that can
drive an electric current. To researchers like Ray Baughman at the
University of Texas at Dallas, twistrons present a promising way to
make use of the motion of the body to power an electronic device
because it taps into the wearer's mechanical energy. Scientists say the
energy conversion efficiency of twistrons has improved over the years,
up from 17.4 percent from twisting to an impressive 22.4 percent.

Researchers recently used an array of twistrons weighing 3.2 milligrams
to charge a supercapacitor capable of powering a small device such as
an electronic watch or five small LEDs.

While the researchers aren't quite at the point of releasing their own
clothing line, they do have their eye on harnessing the motion of ocean
waves using twistrons to create electric power. We hams can only
imagine dressing for success like this, going out for a summit
activation or for Field Day. The possibility is electrifying.

This is Ralph Squillace KK6ITB.

(IEEE SPECTRUM)

**
NEWSCAST CLOSE - DO YOU HAVE NEWS?

PAUL/ANCHOR: Do you have a piece of Amateur Radio News that you think
Newsline would be interested in? We are not talking about advertising
your club's upcoming hamfest or field day participation, but something
that is out of the ordinary. If so, send us a brief overview via the
contact page at arnewsline.org. If it's newsworthy and we would like to
cover it, we'll get back to you for more details.

NEWSCAST CLOSE: With thanks to Amateur Radio Weekly; AMSAT News
Service; Baynet.com; CQ magazine; David Behar K7DB; DX-World.net; FCC;
425 DX News; IEEE Spectrum; QRZ.com; Radio World; Radio Society of
Great Britain; Rich Ryba, WQ3Q, shortwaveradio.de; Wireless Institute
of Australia; WRTC Reflector; 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 Paul Braun WD9GCO in Valparaiso Indiana saying 73. As
always we thank you for listening. Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) is
Copyright 2023. All rights reserved.

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