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

Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2322 for Friday April 29nd, 2022

Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2322 with a release date of Friday
April 29nd, 2022 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.

The following is a QST. An earthquake in Bosnia brings rapid radio
response. The FCC takes a fresh look at receiver interference -- and a
ham radio workshop in India covers the basics. All this and more as
Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2322 comes your way right now.

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BILLBOARD CART HERE

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BOSNIA'S EARTHQUAKE BRINGS RAPID RADIO RESPONSE

DON/ANCHOR: We begin this week with a deadly earthquake in the Balkans
- and a rapid response from area amateurs. Ed Durrant DD5LP has that
report.

ED: Hams responded quickly in Bosnia-Herzegovina following a deadly
earthquake with a magnitude of 5.7 that struck late on Friday, April
22nd. As hundreds fled their homes, one person was reported dead and at
least three others were injured, according to some news reports. IARU
Region 1 Emergency Communications Coordinator Greg Mossop G0DUB
reported that within minutes, the Association of Radio Amateurs of
Bosnia and Herzegovina activated its emergency communications service
and hams were mobilised. E70ARA established digital connections between Sarajevo and Zenica using Winlink and also set up a network using UHF
and VHF repeaters including portable cross-band equipment. On HF,
digital and voice modes were being used on 80m and 40m.

Meanwhile, ongoing reports on the situation were sent via Winlink using
the IARU message format. The emergency networks stayed in place until
the danger from aftershocks had passed.

For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Ed Durrant DD5LP.

(IARU REGION 1, SOUTHGATE, ASSOCIATED PRESS)

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FCC SEEKS COMMENT ON IMPROVING RECEIVERS' REJECTION OF RFI

DON/ANCHOR: In the US, regulators are looking at ways to improve radio receivers' rejection of RFI. Sel Embee KB3TZD brings us up to date.

SEL: The US Federal Communications Commission is asking for public
input on ways to achieve RF interference immunity in receivers of radio signals. In a notice of inquiry adopted this month, the FCC has
committed itself to explore options for improvement in this area. The commissioners are seeking comment on such things as recent technical advancements in the design of receivers; better ways to assess and rate receiver performance parameters; and insights into industry standards
for these measurements that may have been created by the IEEE (I Triple
E), ANSI, 3GPP and other standardization organizations.

Until now most FCC spectrum management efforts have concentrated on
regulations governing transmitter performance. The FCC said in a press
release that its goal is [quote] "to lay the foundation for future
actions that could help create a more transparent and predictable radio frequency environment for all spectrum users." [endquote] The
commission has expressed its concern most recently as new wireless
services are added around the United States, making it all the more
critical that service receivers already in place are capable of
rejecting signals from outside their intended frequency band. One such
ongoing case involves the Federal Aviation Administration's attempts to
prevent 5G wireless transmitter towers from interfering with airplane navigation systems.

For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Sel Embee KB3TZD.

(FCC)

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FCC CRACKS DOWN ON 'HAZARDOUS' DRONE TRANSMITTERS

DON/ANCHOR: In other actions by the same agency, commissioners are
cracking down on what they say are drone transmitters that pose a
hazard. Kent Peterson KC0DGY picks up the story from here.

KENT: The US Federal Communications Commission is claiming that public
safety could be imperiled by the operation of unauthorized drone
transmitters and is seeking more than $3-million in combined fines from
the devices' distributor. The agency's complaint, filed in US District
Court in Portland, Oregon, charges that at least 65 models of the
transmitter were never FCC certified. Certification would have ensured
its RF signals did not interfere with the Federal Aviation
Administration's aeronautical radar systems or any government
transmissions. The FCC's civil complaint against the distributor, Hobby
King, states that at least 15 of the transmitters [quote] "created a
threat to public safety." [endquote]

The FCC also said that the devices do not serve a legitimate amateur
radio purpose.

According to a report posted on the Oregon Live website, Hobby King has
told the FCC that it believed no marketing rules exist specifically for
this kind of equipment, which is capable of transmitting on amateur and non-amateur frequencies. The FCC countered, however, that its rules
forbid radio frequency devices to be sold without first being labeled
and authorized, consistent with its rules.

The agency is asking for $2.8-million from Hobby King for its
violations. It is also seeking an additional $39,278 plus interest for
Hobby King's failure to respond to earlier orders. Hobby King has
stated that a required response from the company would have violated
its Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination.

For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Kent Peterson KC0DGY.

(OREGONLIVE)

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US GOVERNMENT TO STUDY PROPAGATION USING SATELLITE-BASED SENSORS

DON/ANCHOR: In the United States, officials hope to study HF
propagation using satellite-based sensors. Andy Morrison K9AWM brings
us that story.

ANDY: A division of the United States Department of Defense is hoping
to gain a greater understanding of how HF waves propagate by taking
those detailed measurements from inside the ionosphere itself. This
takes information-gathering into a new realm because these studies
typically rely on data gathered done from systems on the ground.

The US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is looking to take the measurements using sensors onboard very low earth orbit satellites. The
agency project, named Ouija (Wee-Jah) is designed to get a better model
of the ionosphere to address the challenges of electromagnetic noise
facing HF radio transmissions of warfighters. The satellites are about
200 to 300 kilometres -- or 125 to 185 miles -- above the Earth.
According to an article on the Industrial Equipment News website, the
satellite payload will do direct sampling to measure electron density
but will also conduct indirect measurements using radio occultation.

Jeff Rogers, the program's manager in DARPA's Strategic Technology
Office, was quoted on the website, saying that Ouija's work inside the ionosphere would supplement measurements that would still be taken from
the ground. He said the goal was [quote] "to develop and validate
accurate, near real-time HF propagation predictions." [endquote]

For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Andy Morrison K9AWM.

(INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT NEWS)

**
ARRL, RSGB MAKING CHANGES AT HELM OF NEWS MEDIA

DON/ANCHOR: A veteran journalist and public information specialist has
joined the American Radio Relay League as its news editor. John E.
Ross, KD8IDJ, will be responsible for the league website's news
content, the weekly ARRL Letter and two columns in QST magazine:
"Happenings" and "Amateur Radio World." John will also be the voice of
the ARRL Audio News which is produced weekly. John fills the vacancy
left by the retirement of Rick Lindquist, WW1ME. John has served the
league's Ohio Section for the past decade as its public information coordinator.

Meanwhile in the UK, the search is on for a replacement to fill the
vacancy this summer when RadCom magazine editor Elaine Richards G4LFM,
retires. The monthly magazine is published by the Radio Society of
Great Britain. Additional responsibilities include putting together the
weekly GB2RS news and overseeing production of the RadCom Basics and
RadCom Plus specialist online only publications. Candidates should have experience in both print and digital formats. Applicants can apply on
the Redwood website which is rewoodrecruitment - that's one word - dot
com. The Society is also seeking a technical editor, following the
recent death of Giles Read, G1MFG. For details visit the society
website at rsgb dot org stroke careers (rsgb.org/careers).


(ARRL, RSGB)

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HAM RADIO WORKSHOP FROM HURRICANE CONFERENCE NOW ON YOUTUBE

DON/ANCHOR: As hurricane season gets going in some parts of the United
States, hams who could not attend a virtual preparedness workshop will
still be able to view the proceedings. Randy Sly W4XJ brings us up
todate.

RANDY: If you weren't able to log on to the recent Virtual Amateur
Radio Workshop at the National Hurricane Conference in Orlando,
Florida, you can still have the experience of being there. The 4-hour, 33-minute workshop can be viewed on YouTube along with a schedule of
various presentations that were hosted by Rob Macedo, KD1CY, director
of operations for the VoIP Hurricane Net. Topics that were covered
included the Hurricane Watch Net, the VOIP Hurricane Net, the Canadian Hurricane Center, and the importance of surface reports. There was also
a presentation on the Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network known
by the acronym SATERN and a discussion of SKYWARN and CANWARN programs.

Rob says in his introduction to the workshop that the 2021 hurricane
season in the United States was formidable and that 2022 promises to be
at least as challenging.

A link to the recording can be found in the text version of this week's newscast at arnewsline.org

[FOR PRINT ONLY: www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTKJz9FpSAs ]

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Randy Sly W4XJ.

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BREAK HERE: Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur
Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world including
the W7GAA repeater in Bullhead City, Arizona on Friday nights at 7:30
local time.

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HAMS PREP FOR ARMED FORCES DAY CROSS-BAND EXERCISE

DON/ANCHOR: May is a busy month in the United States on the amateur
radio calendar. There's Hamvention opening on the 20th of May - and
just a week before, on May 14th, there's the Armed Forces Day
Cross-Band exercise. Jack Parker W8ISH has the details.

JACK: Ham radio and government radio operators will be sharing messages
and testing their operating efficiency starting at 1300 UTC on May 14th
in an exercise hosted by the US Army Military Auxiliary Radio System,
or MARS. They'll be taking part in the Armed Forces Day Cross-Band
exercise, an interoperability event with a history that goes back more
than 50 years. Hams will be listening for stations on US military
frequencies and transmitting on nearby amateur frequencies.
Participating hams will be able to confirm their contacts with a QSL
card. Hams copying messages from US Army and US Navy stations can
request a QSL card online using the form at the website that appears in
the text version of this week's newscast at arnewsline.org

FOR PRINT ONLY: https://www.usarmymars.org/events ]

Hams seeking a QSL card from US Air Force stations whose messages they
have copied should send a request by mail to the Armed Forces Day
Celebration, Chief, Air Force MARS, 203 West Losey Street, Scott Air
Force Base, Illinois 62225.

According to the Department of Defense website, the numerous military
stations transmitting messages will include Travis Air Force Base in California, the Newport Naval Radio Station Museum in Newport, Rhode
Island, the US Coast Guard Base in Alameda, California, the Pentagon in Washington DC and the Barrow Army Reserve Center in Kentucky.

Although Armed Forces Day is May 21st, the test is being run a week
earlier to accommodate Hamvention.

For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Jack Parker W8ISH.

(US DEPT OF DEFENSE)

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MAINE AMATEURS RECEIVE TRAINING TO ASSIST DISASTER RESPONDERS

DON/ANCHOR: A group of amateurs in the state of Maine feels a little
more ready for the next big emergency to come along. They've just
completed some important training. Kevin Trotman N5PRE tells us more.

KEVIN: Members of the Aroostook [pronounced: uh-ROO-stick] County
Amateur Radio Emergency Services just got another tool to add to their
amateur radio kit: Training to function as CERT, the acronym for
Citizen Emergency Response Team.

Brian Goff, KC1NHJ, the community outreach planner for the county's
emergency management agency, told WAGM-TV that the CERT members provide
support to search and rescue personnel as well as those administering
first aid. He said even if the hams are not directly involved in
providing the actual hands-on assistance, their use of radios is
invaluable in getting the word out especially if cell towers may not be working.

Their training took place on a Saturday in the middle of April. The
CERT members' first big test will come in just a matter of weeks when
they will test their new skills by participating in an emergency drill.

For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Kevin Trotman N5PRE.

(WAGM-TV)

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FCC FILING SYSTEM SHUTS DOWN ON FIRST DAY OF NEW FEE DON/ANCHOR: On the
day the FCC's new ham radio license application fees took effect, a
system outage halted the agency's electronic batch filing system and
files could not be processed. The ARRL Volunteer Examiner Coordinator
sent out a notice to league members making them aware of the shutdown
that occurred on Tuesday, April 19th. The FCC had asked that no further
files be submitted for exam sessions or license applications until the
issue could be resolved. The system was back on line, however, a few
days later. The Volunteer Examiner Coordinator sent a notice to league
members on Saturday, April 23rd saying that processing was restored and business could proceed as usual. The FCC was expected to begin reducing
the backlog even as new files arrived. The FCC has previously said that
the new $35 charge was necessary to cover staff costs associated with
the application process, even though the review system is largely
automated. (ARRL, FCC)
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INDIAN ENGINEERING SCHOOL HOSTS 2-DAY INTRO TO AMATEUR RADIO

DON/ANCHOR: One of India's pre-eminent engineering universities was the
scene of a workshop on amateur radio basics. Graham Kemp VK4BB gives us
that report. GRAHAM: More than three dozen engineering and science
students and their instructors were introduced to amateur radio and all
its elements during a workshop held April 5th and 6th in Gujarat,
India. Rajesh Vagadia VU2EXP, regional coordinator of AMSAT-India, gave
the presentation at PDEU, one of the Indian state's top engineering
schools. In addition to gaining familiarity with various types of
amateur radio equipment and the modes of communication, the students
watched practical demonstrations, including Slow Scan TV, PSK-31 and
Morse Code and learned to operate an HT. They also heard the stories
behind many of the QSL cards on display throughout the two-day
programme. Some careful planning ahead allowed the students to
experience amateur radio contacts using the AO-91 Cubesat and had
prearranged QSOs with Lucky, VU2LBW, and Kaustav VU2UUU.

Rajesh wrote that both four-hour days had a packed schedule and he
hoped the students had gained insights into amateur radio's popularity
and possibilities.

For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Graham Kemp VK4BB.

(SOUTHGATE)
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NOMINATE NEXT 'YOUNG HAM OF THE YEAR'

DON/ANCHOR: We'd like to remind our listeners that it's time to think
about the next generation of radio operators and appreciate their skill
and dedication. Perhaps one of them will be the next recipient of the
Amateur Radio Newsline Bill Pasternak Memorial Young Ham of the Year
Award. Consider nominating an amateur radio operator 18 years of age or
younger in the continental United States with talent, promise and a
commitment to the spirit of ham radio. Find application forms on our
website arnewsline.org under the "AWARDS" tab. Nominations close May
31st -- and that's coming up soon.

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WORLD OF DX

In the World of DX, be listening for Michael, DF8AN, operating as
FM/DF8AN and TO8N in Martinique, J97MN from Dominica and a yet to be
issued call on St Lucia. He is on the air until May 1st on the HF bands
using mainly CW and digital. QSL using his home call.

Between May 9th and 14th, listen for Ilya EX/R5AF and Igor EX/R4FCN in Kyrgyzstan (KEER GUH STAN) on 40 through 10m. They will be using CW,
FT8 and possibly some SSB. QSL via LoTW, Club Log, eQSL, HAMLog.

Yuris VU3FZC, Deepak VU2CDP and Monoj VU2CPL will operate from the
Andaman islands as VU4W between May 3rd and 16th. Listen on the HF
bands. For the official VU4W website reference refer to the text
version of this broadcast at arnewsline.org. [PRINT ONLY: DO NOT READ: https://www.lral.lv/vu4w/ ]

John, W2GD, will operate from Aruba between May 24th and 31st from the
P40W QTH. He will be using the call P44W. Be listening for him using CW
on all HF bands as time permits. He will place special emphasis on the
WARC bands. QSL via LoTW and N2MM.

(DX-WORLD.NET)

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KICKER: TURNING 'CHILDREN'S DAY' INTO 'RADIO DAY'

DON/ANCHOR: We end this week with a story that answers a common
question these days: How do you get youngsters involved in radio? The
answer is simple enough: You get them on the air for some serious
DXing. Here's Jim Meachen ZL2BHF to tell us how it's being done.

JIM: Some people wait a lifetime for that special DX contact. But that
waiting period isn't part of the equation for youngsters in Japan.
Students in elementary, junior high and high school classes are at the
top of the list for contacts when the Japanese Antarctic Research
Expedition station 8J1RL calls QRZ for Children's Day, a national
holiday in Japan. The contacts will take place for several hours on May
5th using 21 MHz SSB. This is the 63rd Japanese Antarctic Research
Expedition but for many of the youngsters who'll soon be in the radio operators' log, it is going to be a very big first.

The students in Japan will join the ranks of those who have gone before
them at schools in Alberta, Canada; Israel and the United States who,
instead of talking to the South Pole, have briefly mingled their voices
with those in space, through Amateur Radio on the International Space
Station. Whether young people talk to research scientists down below,
or astronauts and cosmonauts up above, the spirit of adventure so dear
to youngsters' hearts becomes even more accessible through the gateway
of amateur radio.

In that respect, the Japanese holiday of Children's Day, which promotes
the health and happiness of young people, is celebrated anywhere in the
world whenever a youngster discovers the magic of radio.

For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Jim Meachen ZL2BHF.

(SOUTHGATE, ARISS)

**
NEWSCAST CLOSE: With thanks to ARISS; ARRL; BBC; CQ Magazine; David
Behar K7DB; Dept. of Defense; FCC; Industrial Equipment News; Ohio Penn
DX; QRZ.com; the Radio Society of Great Britain; Southgate Amateur
Radio News; shortwaveradio.de; WAGM-TV; 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 Don Wilbanks AE5DW in Picayune,
Mississippi saying 73. As always we thank you for listening.

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

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