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Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2383 for Friday June 30th, 2023

Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2383 with a release date of Friday
June 30th, 2023 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.

The following is a QST. Ofcom proposes sweeping license changes in the
UK. The QSO of a lifetime makes one ham's Field Day unforgettable --and
meet Amateur Radio Newsline's Young Ham of the Year for 2023. All this
and more as Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2383 comes your way
right now.

**
BILLBOARD CART
**
OFCOM PROPOSES SWEEPING CHANGES FOR UK LICENSES

NEIL/ANCHOR: Our top story takes us to the UK, where Ofcom is proposing
a major overhaul of amateur radio licensing and operations. Jeremy Boot
G4NJH brings us those details.

JEREMY: Stating it wants to provide amateurs in the UK with greater
access to licences while delivering greater operating freedom, the communications regulator Ofcom is proposing sweeping changes to its ham
radio licence framework.

None of these changes affects the frequencies or bands amateurs can use
but it does increase the maximum permitted power for transmitting
across the three classes of licence. The proposed maximum allowances
are 20 watts for Foundation; 100 watts for Intermediate in most bands
and 1,000 watts for Full licence holders who are operating where ham
radio has a primary allocation. Ofcom is also proposing low power
airborne transmission on some bands.

Beacons, repeaters and gateways would no longer require a Notice of
Variation in most cases -- the holders of a Foundation licence would be permitted on the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. Foundation licence holders
would also be allowed to build their own equipment.

In another change, hams advancing to a higher class of licence would be required to surrender their lower-level licence and call sign, holding
only a single personal licence. This requirement would not apply
toclubs.

This is just a sample of what Ofcom is suggesting. The regulator is
seeking feedback and has set a deadline of the 4th September for
comment. For a link to the document please see the text version of this
week's newscast script at arnewsline.org

This is Jeremy Boot G4NJH.

[FOR PRINT ONLY: https://www.ofcom.org.uk/consultations-and-statements/category-2/updati ng-amateur-radio-licensing-framework ]

(OFCOM, AMATEUR RADIO DAILY)

**
OH BABY! WHAT A GREAT FIELD DAY!

NEIL/ANCHOR: So you think you had a great Field Day? Sorry....but no
matter how amazing a time you had, no matter how many QSOs you and your
club logged, it can never compare to the experience of one amateur in
Alabama who helped organize his club's big weekend. Jim Damron N8TMW
tells us more.

JIM: Patrick Nagle, N4GLE, was ready. Field Day weekend couldn't come
soon enough for this member of the Muscle Shoals Amateur Radio Club.
Patrick has been part of the organizing committee for the club's Field
Day for the past three years and everyone was ready to put the club
callsign, W4JNB, on the air.

This year, Rhett Allen Nagle was also ready. In fact, on June 23, 2023,
just as Field Day prep was under way, he was so ready that he was born.
With the doctor's help, Rhett's mother, Kaitlyn Hendrix Nagle, brought
him into this world and into Patrick's arms.

Patrick told Newsline that he and his wife had hoped for Rhett's birth
to take place a few days after Field Day but the doctor wasn't
available on their chosen date of June 26th. So June 23rd it was going
to be! Holding strong at the Field Day site was brand-new grandfather,
Papa Roy Nagle, KI4UX, who kept things running smoothly and stayed in
touch with his son.

The happy new father may have been away from the club's operating site
this year but he told Newsline he knows he had the best QSO of Field
Day weekend. While it may not have been made over the air, he said that
all those eyeball QSOs with his new son included plenty of snuggles.

This is Jim Damron N8TMW.


NEIL/ANCHOR: Newsline offers the Nagle family all the best. We can't
wait to hear that Rhett has received his callsign.

(PATRICK NAGLE, N4GLE)


**
HUNT A WRTC COMPETITOR AND COMPETE FOR AN AWARD

NEIL/ANCHOR: So you want to be part of the World Radiosport Team
Championship but you didn't qualify and you're not in Italy right now?
That's a small point, really, if you want to get in on the action.
Graham Kemp VK4BB explains.

GRAHAM: While amateur radio teams from all over the world compete in
the WRTC on July 8th and July 9th, hams from all over the world can now
compete right along with the competitors: Organisers have announced the
WRTC 2022 Competition Award - yes, it's still known as WRTC 2022
because of the one-year COVID delay. Hams who have had QSOs with
competing stations in the championship can work toward this award by
getting on the air during the contest and listening for the action.
Organisers recommend that those seeking the award submit their complete
logs within six hours after the contest ends, which will be at 1800 UTC
on Sunday the 9th of July.

The WRTC 2022 Competition Award is the latest event created in support
of the championship. THE WRTC 2023 Award, offered earlier, challenged
radio operators to make contacts with special event stations in 12
regions throughout Italy, all ending with the suffix WRTC. There were
also special event stations around the world - most of them also ending
with the suffix.

For more details about the Competition Award, visit wrtc2022 dot it (wrtc2022.it) and look under the "NEWS" tab.

This is Graham Kemp VK4BB.

(WRTC)

**
FCC SETS APPLICATION WINDOW FOR LOW-POWER FM STATIONS

NEIL/ANCHOR: The FCC is getting ready to accept applications for new
low-power FM stations. Kent Peterson KC0DGY brings us up to date.

KENT: As Newsline reported in February, the FCC has made room on the
spectrum for the operation of new, low-power FM broadcast stations in
the US. The agency has now announced that a filing window for permit applications will be open between November 1st and November 8th of
thisyear.

The commission will accept proposals for frequencies anywhere in the FM
band, from Channel 201 to Channel 300. The last time the FCC opened a
filing window for low-power FM broadcast operation was in 2013.

FCC data lists a little fewer than 2,000 such stations operating in the
US since the year 2000, when the FCC created the service for 100-watt
stations engaged in noncommercial educational broadcasts. Commercial
operations and individuals are ineligible for operation of these
stations.

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

The FCC will release filing procedures and other relevant details
later. Meanwhile, prospective applicants are encouraged to monitor the
Audio Division Web Page on the agency website.

This is Kent Peterson KC0DGY.

(FCC, RADIOWORLD)

**
SATELLITE ENTHUSIASTS REGISTER FOR CONVENTION IN INDIA

NEIL/ANCHOR: Satellite fans, get ready for a big weekend in India
devoted to your favorite subject. Registration has opened, as we hear
from Jim Meachen ZL2BHF.

JIM: Registration has opened for satellite enthusiasts and other
amateurs planning to attend the OSCAR Convention in West Bengal, India
on September 23rd and 24th. The website is also accepting registration
for the radiosport portion of the weekend: a CW contest and some
fox-hunting activity.

The weekend theme is simple: "Get on the Air." OSCAR is an acronym that
stands for Orbiting Satellite Carrying Amateur Radio.

While the full schedule is not yet posted, the organiser, OSCAR India,
has said the event planners are making special efforts to support and
encourage youth to get more involved in amateur radio. Various licence
exams will be offered at the venue. The programme of presenters is
expected to showcase the latest technologies and assist attendees in
broadening their knowledge of operating techniques, antenna design,
digital modes and signal propagation. There will also be plenty of
opportunity to socialize.

The OSCAR Convention is supported by Parks on the Air India and Beaches
on the Air India For details or to submit your registration, visit the
website address that appears in the text version of this week's
newscast at arnewsline.org

[DO NOT READ: oc.beaham.in ]

This is Jim Meachen ZL2BHF

(OSCAR INDIA, ARUNAVA DEY VU3XRY)

**
CHINESE TEAM DEVELOPING NEW LUNAR-ORBIT SATELLITE

NEIL/ANCHOR: In China, a development team is working hard on the next
satellite destined to enter lunar orbit with an amateur radio payload.
John Williams VK4JJW explains the project.

JOHN: The creators of the first amateur radio satellite to operate in
lunar orbit are in the process of developing a second one with the hope
of launching it in 2024 from Wenchang, China. The development team
consists of students at the Harbin Institute of Technology in China and
ham radio operators from around the world. Known as Lunar OSCAR II, it
will have telemetry, a digipeater with a JT4G uplink and downlink along
with a digital image downlink from an infrared camera.

The satellite will also be useful for various amateur radio orbit
determination experiments and communications relay research.

Harbin Institute students built the first ham radio satellite to
operate in lunar orbit in May of 2018. The tiny satellite had a big
following among hams around the world who used it to download images of
the Earth and the moon.

This is John Williams VK4JJW.

(AMSAT NEWS)

**

BREAK HERE: Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur
Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world including
the N8NC repeater of the North Coast Amateur Radio Club in Brunswick,
Ohio on Sundays at 8 p.m. during the weekly information net.

**
FOLLOW THE RULES FOR NEWSLINE'S HAIKU CHALLENGE

NEIL/ANCHOR: We hope our listeners have been enjoying the Amateur Radio Newsline haiku challenge. We certainly have! In the spirit of fun and
perhaps a little bit of literary adventure, we've been inviting
listeners to channel their most creative selves and share the joy of
ham radio in the form of a haiku. On our website, arnewsline.org, you
will find a submission form for sending your most poetic offering. To
qualify, you need to follow traditional haiku form: The first line is
five syllables, the second line is seven syllables and the finishing
third line has another five syllables. We cannot accept any other
formats.

Our team will pick from the best submissions that follow the 5/7/5
syllable rule and represent the love of amateur radio. Your prize? For
now, bragging rights -- and a featured spot for your haiku on the
Amateur Radio Newsline website. We may have a surprise for you at the
end of the year, however. So visit our website at arnewsline.org and
take a look at this week's winning ham radio haiku.

**

US NAVY TO UPGRADE HF RADAR SYSTEM

NEIL/ANCHOR: The US government's long-range surveillance system, which
operates on the HF bands, is in line for a major upgrade. Andy Morrison
K9AWM tells us to get ready.

ANDY: The United States Navy knows what almost every amateur radio
operator knows too: that sometimes the software that enhances your transmissions on HF needs a major upgrade. In this case it's a
$87.5-million upgrade for the Navy and the work will be done on a
long-range surveillance system by Raytheon Technologies Corp. The
system is known as ROTHR, which is short for Relocatable
Over-the-Horizon Radar, and it detects and tracks surface ships and
aircraft by using long-range radar in the HF part of the spectrum.

The four-year contract will provide software enhancements, maintenance, installation, removal, integration and testing, among other things, and
will be conducted mainly in Chesapeake, Virginia and Marlboro,
Massachusetts.

Unlike hams, the Navy puts the ROTHR systems on the air for an
important enforcement mission: the systems have been used to track drug-smuggling and are, in fact, considered the government's primary
form of surveillance in the war on drugs.

This is Andy Morrison K9AWM.

(MILITARY & AEROSPACE ELECTRONICS, ZACKS INVESTMENT RESEARCH)

**

40 YEARS FOR NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF AMATEUR RADIO

NEIL/ANCHOR: Congratulations to the National Institute of Amateur
Radio, which marked its 40th anniversary with a big celebration in its Hyderabad (hydra-bod) headquarters. The NIAR is a non-governmental
organisation that holds training sessions and workshops and advocates
for India's radio amateurs. Founded on June 21st, 1983, it is also home
to an active club station VU2NRO, which participates in contests and
special events. The NIAR plays a big role in helping individuals and
learning institutions in forming their own ham radio clubs throughout
India. All the best from us at Newsline for the next 40 years - and
beyond.

(NIAR)

**

WORLD OF DX

In the World of DX, listen for the special callsign IL3P on the air
between the 1st of July and the 30th of September throughout the
Italian region of Veneto. Be listening especially on the 28th through
the 31st as the team activates Pellestrina Island, IOTA number EU-131,
holiday style and participates in the IOTA contest. See QRZ.com for QSL details.

Bo, OZ1DJJ is using the callsign OX3LX from Qaanaaq, Maidenhead locator
FQ57jl, from Greenland, IOTA number NA-018 until the 18th of July. He
will be operational on 4 and 6 metres, but he will also be active on
the HF bands. He may include a side trip to Herbert Island, IOTA number
NA-134 or Meteorite Island. See QRZ.com for QSL details and some great pictures.

Dave, G4OSY will be active holiday style as VP9/G4OSY from Hamilton
Parish, Bermuda, IOTA number NA-005, until the 8th of July. He'll be
using SSB most of the time and operating on 40 through 10 metres. You
may also hear him on 6m. QSL direct to his home call.

Several operators in Germany will be using the special callsign DL0SOP
for the month of July, marking the 65th edition of the Sea of Peace
award. A small silk pennant is to be given for QSOs with the Baltic
neighboring states and regions all month long. Annual stickers are
available for hams participating during other years. See QRZ.com for
QSL details.

(425 DX BULLETIN)

**
KICKER: MEET 2023'S YOUNG HAM OF THE YEAR, KEES VAN OOSBREE W0AAE

NEIL/ANCHOR: And, for our final item this week, we're proud to announce
the winner of the 2023 Amateur Radio Newsline Bill Pasternak Memorial
Young Ham of The Year award. Amateur Radio Newsline's Mark Abramowicz (Abram-oh-vich) NT3V is chairman of the award program and he spoke with
our latest honoree.

KEES: "Oh my gosh! Thank you so much. Yes, that is so cool. Thank you
so much!"

MARK: And that was the reaction of Kees Van Oosbree, W0AAE, of Maple
Grove, Minnesota, in suburban Minneapolis upon learning he had been
selected as the Young Ham of the Year. Kees recently turned 19 years
old - just making the cut-off for the award. He is the son of Mark and
Jean Van Oosbree.

He is a recent honors graduate of Heritage Christian Academy in Maple
Grove and was the valedictorian for his class. Kees says when he was
12, during a museum visit he spotted a fascinating exhibit that sparked
his curiosity about amateur radio.

KEES: "And I saw this cool amateur radio shack there. There was this
cool map with all of their markers where they made contacts and I saw Antarctica."

MARK: He says that prompted some online research.

KEES: "I got a book on Amazon, studied and took the two licenses
[Technician and General] and it was on from there. I got a Baofeng
Handie Talkie. I still have it."

MARK: But Kees says he wanted to explore more.

KEES: "HF was my life. I got involved with a few radio clubs the
Minnesota Wireless Association which is contesting. Contesting is
pretty much my main thing that I do in Amateur Radio although I do
branch out and do other things."

MARK: Among those other things was getting connected to youth in
amateur radio through the Youth on the Air - Americas program where he
has taken up leadership roles in training of operators, QSL manager and
sharing his interest in remote operating. Kees says he did some
on-line research on remote operating and found a mentor - Ray Higgins
W2RE - who opened a door to a whole new world.

KEES: "He gives us unlimited access to these highly competitive
stations that use FlexRadios. I was able to do very, very well through
that and contesting through DX contesting...He gave us the tools and we branched off of there. I was one of the five youth that kind of started
the program. And now we have over 80, 100 youth."

MARK: Kees says he taught himself Morse Code through on-line computer
programs. And, while he says his ability to copy CW exceeds 35 words
per minute, his sending speed is a little slower and he prefers a key
to paddles. Kees has picked up several awards for his DX and domestic
contest SSB and CW entries over his short time in ham radio.

MARK: He's only been licensed for nearly five years.

His favorite contest, he says, is the North American QSO Party.

KEES: "It's just 12 hours long and it's just on Saturday only and I
love that because I can work on homework on Sunday."

MARK: Kees will begin college in August at Iowa State University.

KEES: "I'm really excited because they have a really great aerospace engineering program three-a-half hours away from me so not too far
away. There are only a few colleges in the country that do this
particular major."

Congratulations Kees from all of us at Amateur Radio Newsline!

I'm Mark Abramowicz, NT3V

NEIL/ANCHOR: Kees will be honored during a presentation ceremony on
Saturday, Aug. 19 at the Huntsville Hamfest.

**

DO YOU HAVE NEWS?

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 Daily; AMSAT News Service;
Arunava Dey VU3XRY; ARRL; CQ Magazine; David Behar K7DB; DX-World.net;
FCC; 425DXNews; IFLScience, Military & Aerospace Electronics; National Institute of Amateur Radio; Ofcom; OSCAR India; QRZ.COM; Radio Society
of Great Britain; Radio World; shortwaveradio.de; Wireless Institute of Australia; Zacks Investment Research; 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.

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