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Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2429 for Friday May 17th, 2024

Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2429 with a release date of
Friday, May 17th, 2024 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.

The following is a QST. The sun erupts in the biggest solar storm in
two decades. In India, hams in the north east stage their first
disaster drill -- and a broadcast documentary looks at military
illusionists, including Morse Code mimics. All this and more as Amateur
Radio Newsline Report Number 2429 comes your way right now.

**
BILLBOARD CART

**
POWERFUL SOLAR STORM BRINGS AURORAS, SHUTS HF COMMUNICATION

JIM/ANCHOR: We begin this week's newscast with a look at the monumental
solar flares that struck us here on Earth -- a storm with a magnitude
not seen in more than 20 years. We have details from Randy Sly, W4XJ.

RANDY: The sun erupted in a series of powerful geomagnetic storms that
began on Friday the 10th of May and continued into the following week, generating spectacular auroras seen around the world and all but
shutting down HF radio communications. Satellite systems, including the
massive Starlink constellation, reported degraded operating conditions
and space scientists told satellite operators that their orbits could
be unexpectedly altered. At the outset of the storm, the US National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration expressed concern over the
impact the magnetic disturbances would have on power grids and
navigation systems.

This was the first solar burst of its kind in more than two decades,
emerging as the first G5-level solar storm since 2003. Curtains of
light could be seen shimmering from the aurora borealis to the north
and the aurora australis to the south as the Earth's magnetic field
became charged with overwhelming infusions of the sun's energy.

While the visuals were dazzling, HF propagation was anything but -- and
it challenged amateur radio operators who, in spite of it all, managed
to still get on the air, with some finding the 6-metre band more
hospitable.

National Public Radio quoted scientists as saying that the storm's
radiation could disrupt some low-altitude satellites' orbit by adding
to atmospheric drag and cause direct damage to satellites at higher
altitudes. NOAA space scientist Rob Steenburgh told NPR that the
International Space Station's position inside the magnetosphere would
keep it largely protected.

The storm also had a personal impact on Tamitha Skov, WX6SWW, the Space
Weather Woman, to whom many hams turn regularly for solar predictions.
On Sunday, May 12, en route to co-directing a space weather school in
Italy, she witnessed the aurora as a steady view outside her airplane
window. She posted on social media: [quote] "It's my first time seeing
it with my own eyes. Words do not do justice." [endquote]

This is Randy Sly W4XJ. (AP, NPR, CNN, SPACEWEATHERWOMAN)

**
NORTHEAST INDIAN HAMS HOLD FIRST DISASTER DRILL

JIM/ANCHOR: Hams in one state in northeast India took a big step
recently by staging their first disaster drill. Jason Daniels VK2LAW
has those details.

JASON: Amateur radio operators in the northeast Indian state of
Nagaland participated in an unprecedented and comprehensive mock
disaster exercise in cooperation with state authorities.

The May 9th drill was designed to sharpen disaster-management skills
and create greater resiliency in the state, especially in regions where conventional communications, such as cell service, can be disrupted by disaster.

The exercise was the result of a collaboration between the Nagaland
State Disaster Management Authority and Open Source Classes for Amateur
Radio India, also known as OSCAR India. OSCAR India is a programme of
the All India School of Management and Information Technology. OSCAR
India had worked in late April with the Nagaland disaster management
officials to prepare as many candidates as possible to sit the ham
radio exam being offered by the Ministry of Telecommunications later
this year.

Johnny Ruangmei (ROO ANG MAY), the state disaster authority's joint
chief executive officer, told the media that Nagaland can now count
itself as one of the first states in India to formalize a robust system
of disaster communications.

This is Jason Daniels VK2LAW.

(NAGALAND POST, AKASHVANI NEWS)

****
EARHART SPECIAL EVENT HONORS SILENT KEY IN IRELAND

JIM/ANCHOR: A special event station held each year in May in Northern
Ireland is paying tribute to two people this year: the famed pilot,
Amelia Earhart and a local radio amateur who recently became a Silent
Key. We hear more from Jeremy Boot G4NJH.

JEREMY: The activation of special event station GB0AEL this month is
linked to two dates that are significant for the North West Amateur
Radio Group in Northern Ireland. The first is May 21, 1932. the day
that aviator Amelia Earhart began her transatlantic flight - one that
would end hours later in Ballyarnett Village, Northern Ireland. The
club marks the occasion every year with the activation - with AEL
standing for "Amelia Earhart Legacy." The club states on its page on
QRZ.com that it will be operating from the field where the pilot made
her historic landing - and will make an extra effort to operate this
year on frequencies that are open to General Class operators in the
United States. For other information and QSL details, see QRZ.com

The other meaningful date is a personal one for the club. It is May
7th, 2024, the date a beloved friend and club member Gerard Radcliffe,
GI7VZW, became a Silent Key. The special event is dedicated to him. The
club writes on its QRZ.com page: [quote] "Good DX Gerard from your club
mates and friends at MN0NWG." [endquote]

This is Jeremy Boot G4NJH.

(QRZ.COM)

**
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE URGES PREPAREDNESS

JIM/ANCHOR: In the United States, the Eastern Pacific hurricane season officially began on Wednesday, May 15th and the Atlantic hurricane
season begins June 1st. It's time for radio operators to prepare, as we
hear from Randy Sly W4XJ.

RANDY: The National Weather Service designated May 5th through the 11th
as Hurricane Preparedness Week in the United States, reminding
vulnerable areas of the country that tropical cyclones are among
nature's most powerful and destructive phenomena. Just one storm can permanently change a community.

During the week, daily public information statements, along with
educational and preparedness information, were posted on websites as
well as social media. Bobby Graves, KB5HAV, Net Manager for the
Hurricane Watch Net, told AR Newsline that they used Zoom for
meet-and-greet times where all members, new and veteran, were able to
get to know one-another better. The group also discussed the various
challenges they might face during activations. One of the more recent
concerns they talked about was - you guessed it - solar storms and communications blackouts.

The number of hurricanes predicted this year is far above average.

This is Randy Sly, W4XJ.

(NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE)

**
DEADLINE SOON FOR AMSAT DIRECTOR NOMINEES

JIM/ANCHOR: The deadline is fast approaching for you to submit the
names of candidates to fill seats on AMSAT's Board of Directors, as we
hear from Neil Rapp WB9VPG.

NEIL: Amateur satellite enthusiasts who belong to AMSAT have until the
15th of June to submit their nominees to fill the three seats of
incumbents on the AMSAT Board of Directors. The two-year terms are
expiring this year for Mark Hammond, N8MH; Bruce Paige, KK5DO and Paul Stoetzer, N8HM. The election will be held in the third quarter of this
year. Written nominations must contain the name and callsign of the
nominee as well as their contact information. As nominator, you must
include your own name and callsign as well as your contact information.
The written nominations can be sent by email or postal mail to the
AMSAT secretary, Jeff Davis, KE9V, at Post Office Box 11, Yorktown,
Indiana 47396.

Nominations are also being accepted electronically via email. Send to
jdavis [at] amsat [dot] org.

As many as two alternate directors may also be elected. Alternate
directors serve one-year terms.

This is Neil Rapp WB9VPG.

(AMSAT NEWS SERVICE)

**

BREAK HERE: Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur
Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world. Phil,
VK6GX, broadcasts Newsline in Western Australia on 1848 kHz from
Gidgegannup [Gidgee guh-nupp] on Sunday mornings at 0700 and 0800 local
time during winter and at 0600 and 0700 local time in summer. Chris,
VK6JI, broadcasts Newsline on Sunday mornings on 3620 kHz at 0700 local
time and on 7088 kHz at 0900 local time. There are also broadcasts at
0900 local time on 14130 kHz and 3582kHz.

**
HAM EXEMPTION RESTORED TO PENNSYLVANIA HANDS-FREE LAW

JIM/ANCHOR: Ham radio operators who are driving in Pennsylvania are to
be exempted after all from a new distracted-driving law, following
outcry from amateurs that a previous version of the proposed law lacked protection for them. An exemption for hams had been stripped out of the language during the legislative process but, according to news reports,
it was recently restored. Following the bill's passage by the state's
House of Representatives, it was expected to be sent to the governor,
who is to sign it into law.

(EHAM, ARRL)

**
SILENT KEY TRIBUTE INSTALLED OUTSIDE VOA MUSEUM

JIM/ANCHOR: Visitors to the National Voice of America Museum of
Broadcasting may want to take note of a recently installed memorial
plaque that honors a local Silent Key. It is a gesture of gratitude
from the West Chester Amateur Radio Association, WC8VOA. We hear more
on this story from Jack Parker W8ISH.

JACK: Cincinnati-area dentist Roger Higley, W8CRK, was devoted to
amateur radio and his extensive collection of vintage and current
equipment was testimony to that great love. Roger became a Silent Key
in March of 2021 at age 82 due to COVID-19, leaving behind his vast
collection. Members of the West Chester Amateur Radio Association were
able to help his daughters with the sale of the contents of their
father's shack. The club installed some of the remaining equipment
along with his 60-foot aluminum tilt tower at its headquarters at the
museum. Proceeds from the sale of some of the equipment were then used
to add a new Mosley antenna and rotor. The club president, Mark,
KE8CIE, said the tower, which is behind the VOA building, has a plaque
honoring Roger and the generosity of his family.

Meanwhile, his family is paying tribute in a way that would no doubt
make Roger proud. According to Mark, two of Roger's three daughters are
now licensed hams - and one of them has obtained his old callsign.

This is Jack Parker W8ISH.

(FACEBOOK, MARK, KE8CIE)

**

NOMINATE THE NEXT YOUNG HAM OF THE YEAR

JIM/ANCHOR: We're getting closer to the deadline time for this year's
Bill Pasternak Memorial Young Ham of the Year award. Let Newsline know
of any promising young amateurs who are deserving of this honor.
Candidates must live in the continental United States and be 18 years
of age or younger. Tell our judges about your nominee's talent, promise
and commitment to the spirit of ham radio. This is your chance to help
honor and acknowledge that person who will, no doubt, go on to teach
and inspire others. Find the nomination form on our website
arnewsline.org under the "AWARDS" tab. Nominations close on May 31st.

**
OPENWEBRX PROJECTS RECEIVE AMATEUR RADIO SOFTWARE AWARD

JIM/ANCHOR: The recipients of this year's Amateur Radio Software Award
have been announced and we learn who they are from Sel Embee KB3TZD.

SEL: The fifth annual Amateur Radio Software Award has been awarded to
the hams behind two innovative open-source software projects: OpenWebRX
and OpenWebRX+

The projects and their developers are being honored with the
international award for providing innovative, free and open software
that enhances amateur radio.

The leader of the OpenWebRX project is Jakob Ketterl DD5JFK. OpenWebRX
can be operated from any web browser on a computer with network access
and has no need for additional client software. The SDR receiver was
designed with a simple interface to make it easy for inexperienced
people to experience HF reception.

The leader of the OpenWebRX+ project is Marat Fayzullin, KC1TXE.
OpenWebRX+ is Linux software that contains various decoders to be used
with OpenWebRx, providing access to SSTV, AIS, CW and RTTY. It is
considered a fork of the OpenWebRX project, which means it uses the
source code of the original project to expand upon it.

This is Sel Embee KB3TZD.

(ARSA AWARD.COM; RICH GORDON K0EB)

**

WORLD OF DX

In the World of DX, listen for Chris, WA7RAR using the callsign 8P9CB
from Barbados, IOTA Number NA-021, until the 26th of May. He is
operating portable and activating POTA sites. Listen for him on 20
through 10 metres using CW and SSB. See QRZ.com for QSL details.

Rolf, DO4RKR, will be active as 8Q7KR from the Maldives, IOTA Number
AS-013, from the 19th through to the 31st of May. He will be operating
SSB on 10 metres only, running 30 watts. See QRZ.com for QSL details.

Listen for Team TM80DD from the 1st through to the 16th of June using
CW, SSB and the digital modes on all bands. The operators are marking
the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy. See QRZ.com for
QSL details.

The callsign 9M4VM will be used by a group of hams operating from Pulau
Besar in West Malaysia, IOTA Number AS-097, from the 31st of May to the
2nd of June. Listen on 40, 20, 15 and 10 metres where they will be
using CW and SSB. QSL directly to 9M2HUS.

(425 DX BULLETIN)

**
KICKER: RECALLING THE MORSE CODE MIMICS OF THE US MILITARY

JIM/ANCHOR: Our final story this week is no illusion but the story
itself deals with some of the greatest masters of illusion in the US
military during wartime. We hear more from Ralph Squillace KK6ITB.

RALPH: The 23rd Headquarters Special Troops - members of the "Ghost
Army" - were the magicians of the military whose efforts went well
beyond the inflatable cannons, tanks and trucks - or other tools of
trickery - contained in arsenal to confound the enemy. The top-secret
unit's 82 officers and 1,023 soldiers were experts who used visual,
sonic and radio trickery to render realism to fictional military
maneuvers. Like the impersonators of the entertainment world who can
recreate the voice and personal style of some celebrities, some of the
troops learned to do the same with CW. The unit's Signal Company
Special adopted the rhythm and signature touch of certain enemy
soldiers' fists, modifying their radios' sounds as well and then
transmitting on enemy frequencies with their bogus messages. In that
guise, they sent scripted reports and created fake traffic nets
designed to be intercepted by German intelligence and send their
military off course.

Ham radio, of course, hopes to keep things real -- our nets as well as
our QSOs. This documentary is an eloquent reminder, however, of how
radio can help change the course of history, whether in war or peace.
This is Ralph Squillace KK6ITB.

(WNG.ORG, PBS, GHOSTARMY.COM)

**
DO YOU HAIKU?

Don't forget the Amateur Radio Newsline haiku challenge. If you're not
too busy tuning your antennas or chasing the latest DXpedition, pick up
a pencil and share your experience by sending an original haiku to us
here at Newsline. Use the entry form on our website, arnewsline.org and
please follow the rules for writing your three-line haiku -- sorry but
we cannot accept any entries that aren't written in traditional haiku
form. Share with fellow listeners the poetry that is inspired by your
ham radio experience!

NEWSCAST CLOSE: With thanks to the Akashvani News; Amateur Radio
Weekly; AMSAT; Associated Press; CNN; CQ Magazine; David Behar K7DB;
DXWorld; Facebook; GhostArmy.com; 425DXNews; Nagaland Post; NPR.org;
PBS; QRZ.com; shortwaveradio.de; Spaceweatherwoman; 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
Jim Damron, N8TMW in Charleston, West Virginia saying 73. As always we
thank you for listening. Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) is Copyright 2024.
All rights reserved.

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