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Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2302 for Friday December 10th, 2021
Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2302 with a release date of Friday December 10th, 2021 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.* The following is a QST.
The Federal Communications Commission gets its first female chief.
WSPRnet data yields new clues for a missing airliner -- and Switzerland
forms the newest AMSAT society. All this and more as Amateur Radio
Newsline Report Number 2302 comes your way right now.
***
BILLBOARD CART
**
ROSENWORCEL BECOMES FCC'S FIRST WOMAN LEADER
PAUL/ANCHOR: Our top story is a historic move by US lawmakers, who have confirmed the first woman to lead the Federal Communications
Commission. Jim Damron N8TMW brings us the details.
JIM: The United States Federal Communications Commission gained its
first woman at the helm on Tuesday, December 7th, as lawmakers
overwhelmingly confirmed her nomination. Jessica Rosenworcel begins her five-year term, following a vote of 68-31 in the United States Senate.
She had been serving as the panel's acting chair since January.
The new FCC chief immediately went on Twitter, saying it was [quote]
the honor of my lifetime to lead the FCC and serve as the first
permanent female Chair. Thank you to the President and Senate for
entrusting me with this responsibility." [endquote] The lawmakers
confirmed her just weeks before her temporary term was about to expire.
For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Jim Damron N8TMW.
(THE HILL, CNBC)
**
WSPRNET DATA STUDIED FOR CLUES TO AIRLINER
PAUL/ANCHOR: An important tool used by amateur radio operators may have
helped locate a commercial airliner that was tragically lost nearly
eight years ago. Graham Kemp VK4BB has that story.
GRAHAM: A British aeronautical engineer who has employed Weak Signal Propagation Reporting, or WSPR, in attempts to find remnants of a
doomed Boeing 777 that crashed in March of 2014 is claiming to have
located the missing aircraft. Malaysian Airlines Flight MH370
disappeared into the south Indian Ocean, west of Perth, Australia, when
it should have been en route to Beijing and although debris has washed
up, wreckage of the plane itself has not yet been found. The engineer,
Richard Godfrey, told the BBC recently that his finding, which he
believes has at last located the crash site, came through using a
combination of Boeing performance data, Inmarsat satellite data,
oceanographic floating debris drift data and WSPRnet data. German
engineer Robert Westphal, DJ4FF, was an early proponent of aiding in
the search for the plane using WSPR, or Weak Signal Propagation
Reporting. Although there remain other WSPR experts in the amateur
radio community who have shed doubts on the success of this method,
Robert Westphal publicly reaffirmed his confidence in it.
For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Graham Kemp VK4BB.
(BBC, AIRLINE RATINGS)
**
HAMS TURN OUT FOR 22ND SKYWARN RECOGNITION DAY
PAUL/ANCHOR: The 22nd annual SKYWARN Recognition Day was a busy one.
Randy Sly W4XJ brings us up to date.
RANDY: The phrase "how's the weather?" took on a different meaning
recently during the 22nd annual SKYWARN Recognition Day. On Saturday,
December 4th, amateur stations exchanged QSO information, including
weather reports, with as many of the National Weather Service Stations
active as possible. More than 970 registered SKYWARN amateur stations
and 1,600 total registrants participated. Supporters who weren't hams
did their part by posting on various social media platforms.
SRD coordinator, Michael Lewis of the National Weather Service, told
Amateur Radio Newsline [quote] "Even with restrictions preventing
amateur radio operators from attending all the NWS offices, the amateur
radio community came to the rescue; putting 32 offices on the air
throughout the event." [endquote]
SKYWARN Recognition Day began in 1999 by the National Weather Service
and the ARRL to recognize all SKYWARNâ(tm)¢ spotters serving the United
States. Spotters provide critical weather information before, during
and after adverse weather strikes, including reports of rain and snow,
ice and wind, storms, and tornadoes, flooding and fire. For more
information on the SKYWARN program, visit weather.gov/skywarn.
For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Randy Sly, W4XJ.
**
NEW AMSAT GROUP LAUNCHES IN SWITZERLAND
PAUL/ANCHOR: Welcome to the newest amateur radio satellite
organization, which joins Germany, the UK and other nations serving the
ham satellite community around the world. Ed Durrant DD5LP has the
details.
ED: AMSAT-HB, the newest amateur radio satellite organisation, came
into being on November the 26th in Switzerland. With the help and
guidance of AMSAT-DL's president Peter Gülzow, DB2OS, the group will
promote amateur radio service via satellites in Switzerland and around
the globe. Credited with suggesting the formation of AMSAT-HB, Peter
led the founding meeting virtually from Hanover and has been granted
honorary membership. The new officers include president Michael Lipp
HB9WDF and vice president Wolfgang Sidler HB9RYZ. The organisation has
applied to be affiliated to the USKA, the national radio society of Switzerland.
For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Ed Durrant DD5LP.
(SOUTHGATE, USKA)
**
JAPAN'S SPACE AGENCY SEEKING ASTRONAUT CANDIDATES
PAUL/ANCHOR: Japan's space program is looking for a few good
astronauts, as we hear from Jim Meachen ZL2BHF.
JIM: The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency will begin receiving
applications later this month for astronaut candidates to be part of
the NASA-helmed lunar exploration programme called Artemis.
JAXA plans to assign astronauts to longterm work either aboard the International Space Station, the Japanese experiment module attached to
it or to NASA's lunar orbit outpost known as Gateway. The application
window opens on December 20th and will close on March 4th of 2022. JAXA
does not expect to release the names of successful candidates before
February of 2023. Part of the recruitment effort will focus on
attracting female candidates since Japan presently has no female
astronauts active in the nation's space programme.
For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jim Meachen ZL2BHF.
(SPACENEWS)
**
SILENT KEY: BILL SOMERVILLE G4WJS, PART OF WSJT-X TEAM
PAUL/ANCHOR: A key developer in the popular, free WSJT-X digital
software has become a Silent Key. With that story is Jeremy Boot G4NJH.
JEREMY: The passing of Bill Somerville G4WJS was announced in the
groups.io mailing list for WSJTX on December 4th by Bill's longtime
friend and colleague Joe Taylor K1JT. Joe, Bill and Steve Franke K9AN
formed the core development group creating the weak-signal, open-source software, beginning their partnership in 2013. Joe wrote in his
groups.io posting: [quote] "Our free, open-source software could not
have achieved its extensive worldwide popularity and influence in ham
radio without Bill's essential contributions. In addition to writing
code for important portions of the Qt-based user interface for WSJT-X,
Bill helped to bring the overall program structure more nearly up to professional standards." [endquote] In 2020, the team of three was
presented with Hamvention's Technical Achievement Award for their work. According to a biography included in a paper on the Princeton
University website, Bill had been an active amateur radio operator
since 1981. He had a degree in chemistry from the University of Bristol
and enjoyed a long career in computer software and hardware.
Joe noted in his remarks that he had only met Bill in person a few
times but that they communicated regularly. He added [quote] "I have
only started to think about the many ways in which I will miss Bill." [endquote] He described Bill's passing as unexpected but there were no additional details available.
For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Jeremy Boot G4NJH. (GROUPS.IO, QRZ,
PRINCETON UNIVERSITY)
**
BREAK HERE: Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur
Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including
the K2ADA repeater in Ocala, Florida on Fridays and Saturdays at 7 p.m.
local time.
**
WEBINAR CELEBRATES INDIA'S WIRELESS PIONEER BOSE
PAUL/ANCHOR: Hams in India gathered recently to celebrate one of
radio's pioneers and to share his story. John Williams VK4JJW brings us
that report.
JOHN: Celebrated for his studies into transmitting and receiving on
radio's shortwave frequencies â-" and for his spirit of experimentation
â-" the pioneering Indian scientist Jagadish Chandra Bose was the focus
of a webinar held by the West Bengal Radio Club. The one-hour webinar
took place on November 30th but is now available for viewing on the
club's YouTube channel. The programme opens with a presentation by
biophysicist Gautam Basu who told attendees [quote] "He took a road
that no one took before and that is why we should remember him."
[endquote] The scientist, who died in 1937, was born in what is now
Bangladesh. He is credited with developments that eventually led to
Guglielmo Marconi's creation of the wireless receiver.
For a link to the YouTube channel, and the webinar, see the text
version of this week's newscast at arnewsline.org
For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm John Williams VK4JJW.
[FOR PRINT, DO NOT READ:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h35q4xPskFM]
(YOUTUBE)
**
FCC NIXES HAM CLUB'S EDUCATIONAL FM CHANNEL PROPOSAL
PAUL/ANCHOR: A Seattle, Washington area amateur radio club had its
applications for noncommercial educational FM channels tossed out by
the FCC, which told the club there were too many technical defects in
the proposal. According to a Report in Radio World, the Fort Ward
Amateur Radio Club on Bainbridge Island had a number of issues that
needed addressing, including what the FCC cited as failure to comply
with interference treaty agreements between the US and Canada.
The FCC allows unsuccessful applicants to reapply with an amendment
fixing the issues, provided they do so within 30 days of the rejection.
(RADIO WORLD, SOUTHGATE)
**
QSO TODAY VIRTUAL HAM EXPO SEEKS PRESENTERS
PAUL/ANCHOR: If you have a skill to share, an insight to explain or
some other contribution you'd like to make to the world's amateur radio community, you may want to offer a presentation at the next QSO Today
Virtual Ham Expo, which is taking place on the weekend of March 12th
and 13th, 2022. Stephen Kinford N8WB has details.
STEPHEN: With the new year just around the corner, planning is already
well under way for the next QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo. Hams and other presenters are being asked to consider sharing on various aspects of
the hobby in which they have expertise. According to the QSO Today
website, the ongoing search is an international one, with hams being
asked to present from around the world to the thousands who attend the
virtual two-day conference. Presentations are generally recorded for
playback during the event, followed by a live question-and-answer
period. Accommodations can be made for presentations in languages other
than English.
The QSO Today website has an online application for prospective
speakers. If you wish to apply, follow the link included in the text
version of this week's newscast at arnewsline.org
For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Stephen Kinford N8WB.
https://www.qsotodayhamexpo.com/speakercall.html
(QSO TODAY)
**
POTA PLANNING TWO WINTER EVENTS
PAUL/ANCHOR: Parks chasers and activators are looking forward to two
winter events. With that report is Vance Martin N3VEM.
VANCE: In Parks on the Air News: As the seasons start to change we at
POTA would like to remind you of two upcoming winter events. The first
is the Annual "New Beginnings / New Year's" certificate. To Earn one
of these certificates, simply make at least one contact as a POTA
Activator or Hunter, in the first week of 2022. We can't think of a
better way to ring in the New Year, than by doing so with Parks on the
air. Also landing in January is our next "Seasonal Support Your Parks
Event." The first seasonal event of 2022 is on January 15th and 16th,
which gives you a great opportunity to do some wintertime POTA. For
those of you in the north, just remember to dress warm, fire up your
portable heaters if you're lucky enough to have them, and stay safe!
Lastly, be sure to tune in to your favorite ham radio media outlets in
early January, as next month's POTA update will include not only the
December release, but the year-end summary for 2021 as well. We look
forward to having you join us as we celebrate a spectacular year of
Parks on the Air.
This is November 3 Victor Echo Mike with your Month Ending November
2021 Parks on the air Update. Be sure to visit parksontheair.com for information about the program, and pota.app for spotting, park
information, leader boards, and more.
(POTA)
**
WORLD OF DX
In the World of DX, Dani, EA4ATI, can be heard from Dakar in Senegal on
80 through 10 metres as 6W1TG. Send QSLs to EA4R. Dani's plan is to
upload his log to LoTW and eQSL. In Lesotho, Chris, ZS1CDG, plans to be
on the air as 7P8GOZ between December 20th and 26th. He will be
operating holiday style on 40, 20, 15 and 10 metres using FT8 and a
long wire. Send QSLs via his home call or LoTW. Mario, IZ3KVD, is in
Zambia using the callsign 9J2MYT. He will be there in Lusaka until June
of 2022. Listen for him on SSB on 40, 20, 17, 15 and 10 meters. Send
QSLs via IZ3KVD direct only. Reply QSL cards will be printed after he
has returned to Italy. We also have an update from the Rebel DX Group
about their Bouvet Island Three Y Zero Eye (3Y0I) DXpedition which was
to begin this month. The team said that with borders open again in
Fiji, they can leave and are monitoring the access situation in South
Africa closely, in order to plan their departure from Cape Town to
Bouvet soon. (OHIO PENN DX)
**
KICKER: GOING UP - VERY HIGH UP - FOR ANTENNA WORK
PAUL/ANCHOR: Finally, we all know it's a little more challenging doing
antenna work during the winter months but what if your antenna work is
being done in space where you have the added risk of dodging debris?
Jack Parker W8ISH tells us exactly what happens - in fact, what DID
happen.
JACK: The communications antenna on the ISS needed swapping-out and who
better than astronauts Thomas Marshburn KE5HOC and Kayla Barron KI5LAL
to tackle the task? The pair were originally supposed to make the
switch during a spacewalk scheduled for late November but reports of
space debris caused NASA to bump the action out to Thursday, December
2nd instead. With NASA Television capturing the moment, the hams
ventured out to replace a faulty antenna system located on the
station's truss structure. According to the NASA website, the
replacement antenna was needed to help retain communications
redundancy, something that was in question recently after the faulty
antenna lost its ability to send signals to mission control through
NASA's Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System.
A video of your own antenna work may not be quite as exciting as this
but if you want to watch Thomas and Kayla tackle the task, you can see
it all on YouTube. A link to the video appears in the text version of
this week's newscast at arnewsline.org
For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Jack Parker W8ISH.
[FOR PRINT, DO NOT READ:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScAtmwgIXwU]
(NASA, YOUTUBE)
**
NEWSCAST CLOSE: With thanks to AirlineRatings.com; the ARRL; Associated
Press; the BBC; CQ Magazine; CNBC; David Behar K7DB; Groups.io; the
Hill; NASA; Ohio Penn DX; Princeton University; QRZ.com; QSO Today;
Radio World; Southgate Amateur Radio News; shortwaveradio.de;
SpaceNews; the USKA; YouTube; 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 youall.
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 2021. All rights reserved.
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