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Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2402 for Friday November 10th, 2023

Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2402 with a release date of Friday November 10th, 2023 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.

The following is a QST. Fire destroys an important part of a worldwide
beacon network. There's an easier method to report RFI in Germany --and
a dying Dutch satellite is looking for its final contacts. All
this and more as Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2402 comes your
way right now.

**
BILLBOARD CART

**
FIRE DESTROYS KEY BEACON ON MADEIRA ISLAND

DON/ANCHOR: An important guide to ionospheric conditions for hams and
non-hams alike has been damaged beyond repair. It was the newest beacon
in the network of the International Beacon Project of the Northern
California DX Foundation and the IARU. Ralph Squillace KK6ITB has
thatstory.

RALPH: A wildfire destroyed one of the newest installations to the
Northern California DX Foundation's International Beacon Project. A
blaze in October destroyed radio beacon CS3B on the Portuguese island
of Madeira off Africa's northwest coast. The CW beacon had been in
operation barely a month when fire swept through, destroying the
building, the radio inside and the antenna. Replacement is expected to
take some time.

The HF beacon was one of several operating on 20m, 17m, 15m, 12m and
10m and was viewed as an important resource for testing HF propagation
between North America and Europe. The various beacons operate by
transmitting once on each of these bands every three minutes, around
the clock.

No timetable was disclosed for the beacon's return to service.

This is Ralph Squillace KK6ITB.

(IARU, WIA)

**
IN GERMANY, AN EASIER WAY TO REPORT RFI

DON/ANCHOR: Amateurs in Germany now have a direct means of
communication with the federal regulator BNetZa (Pron: B-NETS-EH) when
they want to report electronic devices that have caused radio
interference or are inaccurately labeled as being safe. An online form
allows a report to be made with relevant details so that the agency can
more easily take action and determine if these devices are
non-compliant, dangerous - or both. Customs agents and postal
authorities will also be notified of imported devices that are found to
be faulty so those items can be placed on the list of banned products.

The form is designed to help expedite an official response, especially
with regard to interference - be it on the amateur radio frequencies or
on mobile phones or broadcast radio and TV. BNetZa (Pron: B-NETS-EH)
has provided a link to the form, which is in German. That link appears
in the text version of this week's Newsline script at arnewsline.org

[FOR PRINT ONLY: verwaltung.bund.de/leistungsbeantragung/de/leistung/99118055261000/hera usgeber/LeiKa-103356009/region/00 ]

(RADIO DARC)

**
INDIA CONTINUES WORK TOWARD CREWED SPACEFLIGHT

DON/ANCHOR: India's recent test flight of its spacecraft is providing
vital data to help the space agency prepare to put a crew on board
within two years. Jim Meachen ZL2BHF has the details.

JIM: Following the successful completion of a test flight in space, the
Indian Space Research Organisation has begun analysing data and imagery
from the spacecraft's crew escape system, with an eye toward having
astronauts on board space flights by 2025. That would make India the
fourth country to put humans in space.

The Gaganyaan project's test flight on October 21st was known as the
Flight Test Vehicle Abort Mission, designed to ensure that people in
the capsule could be assured of a safe return in the event of an
emergency. The test demonstrated that an on-board crew could be safely
moved at least 1.2 miles, or 2 km, away from the rocket in an
emergency.

The Indian space organisation hopes to send a human-like robot into
space next year. To prepare for a flight with a live crew of three, the
agency meanwhile has been evaluating the fitness and health of a number
of Indian air force pilots who are likely candidates. India also hopes
to establish an orbiting space station in 2035.

The country last made news in space in August of this year by
successfully putting a lander near the south pole of the Moon.

This is Jim Meachen ZL2BHF.

(MINT, AMSAT NEWS SERVICE)

**
'ADVENT CALENDAR' EVENT ACTIVATES UK BUNKERS

DON/ANCHOR: With Christmas on the horizon, the UK Bunkers-on-the-Air
awards scheme has introduced a special set of awards in the format of
an Advent Calendar. Here is Ed Durrant DD5LP with more information:

ED: Bunker activators will be on the air from bunkers in the official
ROC reference list from December 1st through the 24th, and chasers can symbolically "open" a new bunker door each day by working that station
- right up through Christmas.

The Bunkers on the Air Advent Calendar Award has two parts: one for
hunters or shortwave listeners and one for activators. The programme
runs in parallel with the Bunkers on the Air 2023 annual award meaning
that those taking part in both events must use two separate online
trackers.

To keep the season bright and even a little amusing, the multi-tiered
point system for the Advent Calendar Award has such names as "Santa's
Little Helper" all the way to the top-scoring "Super Santa." Spotting,
alerting and all information about the scheme is available on the
website at bunkersontheair.org"

Bunkers on the Air is a rapidly growing amateur radio activity that
centres around Royal Observer Corps monitoring posts created during the
Cold War Era.

I am Ed Durrant DD5LP.

(BUNKERS ON THE AIR)

**
'ADVENT CALENDAR' EVENT ACTIVATES UK BUNKERS

DON/ANCHOR: If you're looking for an old-fashioned QSO, get your hands
on an old-fashioned radio and listen to this next report from Jack
Parker W8ISH.

JACK: If you've built yourself a vintage-style transmitter - or are
lucky enough to have acquired one - you're just in time for the Bruce
Kelley 1929 QSO Party this month. It's taking place on the 11th and
12th of November and again on the 18th through the 20th. It bears the
name of Bruce, W8ACY/W2ICE, who was part of the group of amateur radio operators who founded the Antique Wireless Association, in 1952. He
became a Silent Key in 1997, six years after the first QSO Party
tookplace.

The association is sponsoring this year's event to celebrate the glory
of tubes and techniques that date back to 1929 or even earlier. The QSO
Party is open to anyone with an appropriate oldtime-style radio,
whether they are an association member or not. It is, however, a
CW-only event and in addition to hearing dits and dahs sent at a wide
variety of speeds, operators can expect to hear the buzzing, chirping
and drifting associated with the ham radio experience of a century or
so ago.

So now that you've likely turned back your clocks, get ready to turn
back your calendar. Additional details - and a video about vintage
transmitters - can be seen at the website antiquewireless dot org (antiquewireless.org)

This is Jack Parker W8ISH.

(ANTIQUE WIRELESS ASSOCIATION, AMATEUR RADIO DAILY)

**
HAMS ENCOURAGED TO CONTACT DE-ORBITING DUTCH CUBESAT

DON/ANCHOR: An amateur radio CubeSat that was the pride of the students
who built it at the Delft University of Technology is about to de-orbit
and its team wants radio operators to get involved. Ed Durrant DD5LP
has the details.

ED: In 2008, the Delfi-C3 amateur radio satellite became the first
Dutch university satellite to go into space. Now its journey is nearing
the end and it is expected to de-orbit, with re-entry to take place
sometime around the 16th of November. The CubeSat team would like to
present an award certificate to the ham or shortwave listener who makes
the last contact with Delfi-C3 and provides its last telemetry frame.
The telemetry downlink is on 145.867 MHz, 1200 baud AX.25 BPSK. Radio
operators may use the RASCAL software, the SATNOGS network or simply
send decoded telemetry frames with reception time and location. Those
may be emailed to the email address in the text version of this week's
newscast at arnewsline.org.

This is Ed Durrant DD5LP.

[DO NOT READ: delfi@tudelft.nl ]

(AMSAT NEWS SERVICE)

**
UK FOUNDATION TO SUBSIDIZE ENTRY LEVEL LICENSE EXAMS

DON/ANCHOR: Some of the youngest candidates for amateur radio just got
a little boost from the Radio Communications Foundation, a small
independent charity that was established by the Radio Society of Great
Britain. Jeremy Boot G4NJH tells us how they're helping.

JEREMY: Prospective candidates for the Foundation licence who are
fulltime students and younger than 21 may be eligible for assistance
from the Radio Communications Foundation which is offering to subsidise
a number of the examinations. Foundation exams in the UK cost £32.50. According to the Radio Society of Great Britain, some teachers last
year identified this fee as an obstacle for students. The foundation
told the RSGB that to help those with the greatest financial concerns,
the first group of 15 exams will be funded for qualifying applicants.
Every three months thereafter, the foundation will fund another group
of 15 exams in much the same way. Any funds not used will simply roll
into the next quarter.

Meanwhile, applicants are encouraged to use the simple online form -and
to read other details about the subsidies at commsfoundation dot org -
that's "comms" with two "Ms" (commsfoundation.org) Applications require
a statement of support from a parent or guardian about the benefits the applicant would receive as a result of the funding.

The foundation is hoping more amateurs will consider making gifts to
the RCF so the programme can increase the number of exams funded
annually.

This is Jeremy Boot G4NJH.

(RSGB)

**
BREAK HERE: Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur
Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including
the K7MMA repeater in Spokane, Washington on Fridays at 5 p.m.
localtime.

**

STRAIGHT KEY CENTURY CLUB CONTEST

DON/ANCHOR: The Straight Key Century Club is holding a contest among
its members -- but for this competition, you don't need your key - just
a sense of style, as we hear from Randy Sly W4XJ.

RANDY: If you're a member of the Straight Key Century Club, there are a
few ways you can get ready for the SKCC Anniversary and Straight Key
Month being held in January 2024. You can, of course, practice and
train at home to work on your sending and your copying - and perhaps
even plan on being one of the operators for the K3Y event. If your
talents extend to holding a pencil, a pen or even a paintbrush, you
might want to submit a design to be considered for the official 2024
QSL card. The club is once again holding a contest to select a design
and SKCC members get the final say. They'll be voting on their top
picks in mid-December and will be able to view all the qualifying
submissions displayed on the SKCC website.

Although only the most popular design will end up on the QSL card, many
of the others will appear in the SKCC's print calendar.

The club is also inviting members to resubmit updated versions of
designs submitted earlier that weren't in the final pick.

There are certain design guidelines and specifications that need to be followed, however. Please visit the SKCC website for detailed
instructions on how to display your design and incorporate the required
text elements.

Designs are due no later than the 14th of December.

(SKCC)

**
RAGCHEWS ENCOURAGED DURING ESSEX CW'S ACTIVITY WEEK

DON/ANCHOR: What would you do if you had 7 days to set aside for
nothing but contacts in CW? Jeremy Boot G4NJH answers that question for
us now.

JEREMY: The Essex CW Amateur Radio Club is encourging CW operators to
take up a special challenge: give yourself a week to contact as many
other hams as you possibly can. The objective isn't to score points but
to make real contacts - perhaps an extended exchange instead of a mere
signal report -- or better still, a longer ragchew. Organisers are
stressing that this is not a contest. The activity is being held
between the 13th and 19th of November -- and is taking place, as
always, in the spirit of friendship. The club is extending a special
welcome to QRS operators. If you hear the callsigns GX1FCW and G8CW,
make an extra effort to log a contact. Those are the club's own
callsigns. Like everyone else, those operators will be calling "CQECW."

A list of the bands being used, along with other details about this
annual event, can be found on the club website at essexcw dot uk
(essexcw.uk) Be sure to click on the tab that says "Activity Week."

This is Jeremy Boot G4NJH.

(ESSEX CW ARC, ICQ PODCAST)

**

WORLD OF DX

In the World of DX, listen for Vaclav, OK6RA, operating holiday style
as FG/OK6RA from Guadeloupe until the 27th of November. This is IOTA
Number NA-102. He will operate CW, SSB and FT8 on 40-10 metres and
possibly 6m. His main activity will be during the CQ WW DX CW Contest.
QSL via his home call.

Listen for Kazu, M0CFW, who will use the callsign 3B9/M0CFW from
Rodrigues Island, IOTA Number AF-017, from the 19th of November to the
1st of December. He will be using the callsign 3B9KW in the CQ WW DX CW Contest. See QRZ.com for QSL details.

Ken, LA7GIA and Shani, HA5DDX are active as 7O8AD [Seven Oh Eight A D]
and 7O8AE [Seven Oh Eight A E], respectively until the 16th of November
from Socotra Island, IOTA Number AF-028, in Yemen. Listen for them on
160 through 10m. Shani is operating SSB while Ken is concentrating on
CW. There is a possibility of SO2R Light FT8 using WSJT-X fox and hound
or MHSV. See QRZ.com for QSL details.

Shabu, M0KRI, will be on the air as 9L5M from Freetown, Sierra Leone
between the 24th of November and the 5th of December. Watch QRZ.com for developing information about how to QSL.

(425DX BULLETIN)

**
KICKER: 'ALL THE LIGHT' THAT THEY COULD HEAR

DON/ANCHOR: We end this week's report with a special movie. No, we're
not actually going to show you the movie, of course - but we are going
to tell you why it might have plenty of appeal to those of us who
understand the power of radio. Neil Rapp WB9VPG has that story.

NEIL: If you watch for the credits at the end of each episode of one mini-series now running on Netflix, you'll be able to quickly learn who
wrote the script, who directed the cast, who produced the drama and of
course, who played the roles on screen. Every name is featured
prominently at the end of each of the four installments of "All the
Light We Cannot See." The film is based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning
World War II-era novel by Anthony Doerr.

What may not be apparent to most movie viewers is the fact that two of
the film's biggest stars are uncredited, unnamed and largely
unacknowledged - that is true at least outside the framework of this
intense wartime storyline. The anonymous players are the pair of
shortwave radios that ultimately unite the two major protagonists - a
blind French girl and a young German soldier. In Nazi-occupied France,
the girl uses the forbidden medium of radio to transmit coded messages
to help the French Resistance and the Allied Forces. The boy is an
orphan and an electronics genius who is conscripted reluctantly into
the German military. Both had grown up in their respective corners of
Europe listening to the same shortwave radio program - one hosted by a professor who spoke of science, truth, beauty and hope.

In this setting, as the girl transmits her messages from her ravaged
French city and the boy attempts to track her down amid the wreckage,
the power of those two radios cannot be defined by wattage alone. The
radios define the love both share for something intangible and precious
they are both seeking. Those same radios drive the drama to its
inevitable conclusion, using the light none of us can see: the
electromagnetic spectrum itself.

This is Neil Rapp WB9VPG.

(ROGER EGAN, VA3EGY; NETFLIX)
**
DO YOU HAVE NEWS?

If you have a piece of Amateur Radio News that you think Newsline would
be interested in, send it on! 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. Meanwhile, if you're
feeling even a little bit poetic, visit our website to learn more about
the Amateur Radio Newsline haiku challenge. Use the entry form on our
website and please follow the rules for writing your three-line haiku
-- and be sure to check out our previous winners!

NEWSCAST CLOSE: With thanks to Amateur Radio Daily; AMSAT News Service;
Antique Wireless Association; ARRL; Bunkers on the Air; CQ Magazine;
David Behar K7DB; Essex CW Amateur Radio Club; FCC; 425DXNews; the
IARU; ICQ Podcast; Netflix; QRZ.com; Radio D.A.R.C., Radio Society of
Great Britain; Roger Egan VA3EGY; shortwaveradio.de; Straight Key
Century Club; Wireless Institute of Australia; 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 Don Wilbanks AE5DW in
Picayune, Mississippi saying 73. As always we thank you for listening.
Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) is Copyright 2023. All rights reserved.

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