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Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2323 for Friday May 6th, 2022

Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2323 with a release date of Friday
May 6th, 2022 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.

The following is a QST. Ham radio assists in a human-trafficking
rescue. Testing continues for wireless transmission of electrical power
-- and Belgium studies the feasibility of a new amateur band. All this
and more as Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2323 comes your way
right now.

**
BILLBOARD CART HERE

**
HAM RADIO ASSISTS IN HUMAN-TRAFFICKING RESCUE

PAUL/ANCHOR: We begin this week with a harrowing tale of abduction that
ended with amateur radio assistance. According to the United Nations
Office on Drugs and Crime, human trafficking is on the rise in South
Asia. In India, one woman was rescued from that fate thanks to amateur
radio. Jim Meachen ZL2BHF brings us that story.

JIM: Amateur radio operators in West Bengal, India, helped police
locate and rescue a woman who told them she had been abducted and
tortured as part of a human trafficking operation. News accounts in The
Times of India and The Hindu newspaper both reported that the woman,
who is in her 20s and from Bangladesh, had arrived for a visit in
Kolkata when she was forcibly taken to a train station for transport.
The news reports did not say how she found her way to a telephone but
said that she contacted her brother, an amateur radio operator in
Bangladesh. Members of the West Bengal Radio Club then received a call
from the woman's family. Ambarish Nag Biswas, VU2JFA of the radio club,
said that police in Pendurthi (pen-DOOR-Tee) in Andhra Pradesh state
were called. Other hams, including those with the National Institute of
Amateur Radio, aided the search for her. A member of the Dolphin
Amateur Radio Repeater Club, who was not identified in news reports,
told The Hindu newspaper that the woman was soon located and following
her rescue May 2nd through a window, police took a man and woman into
custody. Ambarish Nag Biswas said another ham, Sai Likhit, VU3EFN
accompanied the young woman to the police station.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jim Meachen ZL2BHF.

(THE HINDU, THE TIMES OF INDIA)

**
NEW TEST OF WIRELESS POWER TRANSFER CALLED A SUCCESS

PAUL/ANCHOR: Meanwhile, in the United States, military researchers'
latest test of wireless power transfer over microwave frequencies has
been called a success. Kent Peterson KC0DGY brings us the update.

KENT: The still-experimental practice of beaming power over microwave frequencies to transfer electrical power using so-called "ground
bounce" has completed its most successful test to date. The United
States Naval Research Laboratory recently completed a trial in which
1.6 kilowatts of power was transmitted terrestrially using a 10-GHz
beam over a distance of 1 kilometer, or six tenths of a mile. This kind
of point-to-point transfer of electrical power is an emerging
technology that is becoming increasingly favorable for scientists
looking to expand its application. An IEEE (I Triple E) paper published
late last year said the use of the ground-based transmitter is part of
ongoing exploration that researchers hope will eventually open the door
to space-to-earth wireless transmission of power. Scientists believe
that limiting the frequencies in use to those below 10GHz will lessen
the loss of power during transmission.

Paul Jaffe, KJ4IKI, the project lead, said in an April 20th press
release that the systems have been developed keeping safety limits in
mind for animals and people.

The 10 GHz band is already well-used by the amateur radio community on
a secondary basis. Amateurs may operate between 10 and 10.5 GHz with
amateur satellites operating at frequencies between 10.45 GHz and 10.5
GHz.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Kent Peterson KC0DGY.

(US NAVAL RESEARCH LABORATORY, IEEE)

**
BIG RESPONSE TO LATEST AUSTRALIAN BALLOON LAUNCH

PAUL/ANCHOR: Ham radio experimenters in Australia have reported great
success with their latest balloon launch, despite a last-minute
adjustment to their gameplan. Jason Daniels VK2LAW has more.

JASON: There was a slight change in plans for the high-altitude balloon
launch in Australia by Project Horus, a part of the South
Australia-based Amateur Radio Experimenters Group. The weather balloon
had a successful launch on Sunday the 1st of May but this was a
telemetry-only trip. The imagery portion of the flight was postponed
for another weekend. According to the AREG website, the forecast and
the expected cloud cover did not make for ideal conditions for imagery.
The experimenters' group said the flight's goal was to provide
receivers in the Central South Australia region with a chance to
receive the telemetry using the â-˜Horus-GUI' software. The balloon
carried a single 70cm beacon on board.

The experimenters' group noted on their website: [quote] "Every piece
of telemetry data is valuable to the flight tracking and recovery
teams." [endquote]

Despite the adjustment in plans, organisers proclaimed the flight a
success. An enthusiastic Mark Jessop VK5QI, the lead member of Project
Horus, announced on Twitter: [quote] "Great to see so many stations
receiving!" [endquote]

For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Jason Daniels VK2LAW.

(AREG)

**
ILLEGAL OPERATION OF FT8 REPORTED IN BELGIUM

PAUL/ANCHOR: In Belgium, the regulator has received reports of FT8
being used illegally on a band being eyed for ham radio use. Ed Durrant
DD5LP brings us that report.

ED: The Belgian Institute for Postal Services and Telecommunications,
that nation's communications regulator, reports that amateur radio
operators have been spotted operating using the FT8 mode illegally on
40.680 MHz. Belgian hams are not permitted access to the 40 MHz (8
metre) band available in some other countries. Word of the illegal transmissions comes at a crucial time: The regulator has been studying
whether to allocate a portion of the band for use by amateur radio
operators. At present, only short-range ISM, remotely controlled models
and devices to open garage doors are authorized there. According to a
report by the Royal Belgian Amateur Radio Union, there are concerns
that the illegal operation by some hams could have a negative impact on
the regulator's determination.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Ed Durrant DD5LP.

(SOUTHGATE, ROYAL BELGIAN AMATEUR RADIO UNION)

PAUL/ANCHOR: Meanwhile, in New Zealand, hams have been granted a
one-year extension on their access to 60 meters. This is a continuation
of sub-licenses already held by amateurs for operation between 5351.5
and 5366.5 kHz. Those licenses were due to expire on May 4th. The
extension gives the regulator time to develop a new General User Radio
License.

(SOUTHGATE, NZART)


**
INDIANA RADIO GROUP RECEIVES GRANTS FOR EMERGENCY OPERATIONS

PAUL/ANCHOR: An amateur radio club in Indiana will be able to upgrade
its emergency response equipment thanks to two generous gifts. Stephen
Kinford N8WB tells us about them.

STEPHEN: The emergency response work by hams in the Northeastern
Indiana Amateur Radio Association just got a big boost from more than
$33,000 in grants to buy additional equipment, including a trailer. The
club's Go Box project, a key tool for efficient response in disasters,
has received a grant of nearly $3,000 from the ARRL Foundation. The
club's other project is to buy a trailer and furnish it with an analog
and digital repeater, radios and an array of software including Winlink
and FLDIGI. That effort has just been given a grant of nearly $30,000
from San Diego-based Amateur Radio Digital Communications. When the
trailer is not in use supporting the activity of Amateur Radio
Emergency Services, it will be taken to public events to be part of
various amateur radio demonstrations and public education.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Stephen Kinford N8WB.

(KPCNEWS.COM)
**
AMANDA ALDEN, K1DDN, BECOMING NEW ARRL COLORADO SECTION MANAGER

PAUL/ANCHOR: Congratulations to Newsline's own Amanda Alden K1DDN who
will be taking up the responsibility of serving as the ARRL Colorado
Section manager starting on July 1st. Amanda will succeed Robert
Wareham, N0ESQ, whose resignation takes effect on June 30th. The ARRL
announced the change in leadership on Friday, April 29th on its
website. Robert cited time constraints as his reason for stepping down following his long period of service within the league. He has been
public information coordinator, section emergency coordinator and state government liaison. In addition to being well-known to Newsline
listeners and HamNation viewers, Amanda has been assistant section
manager and regional emergency coordinator for the south and southeast All-Hazards Regions of Colorado.

(ARRL)

**
BREAK HERE: Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur
Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world including
the VK8MA repeater in Australia's Northern Territory on Sundays at 7
p.m. local time.

**
YOUNG HAM AWARD NOMINATING WINDOW TO CLOSE SOON

PAUL/ANCHOR: The clock is ticking on the time you have left to send in
your nominations for the Bill Pasternak WA6ITF Memorial Amateur Radio
Newsline Young Ham of the Year award. Amateur Radio Newsline's Mark
Abramowicz (pronouncer Abram-a-vich) NT3V is chairman of the award
committee and has more...

MARK: We're looking for candidates - 18 years or younger from the
continental United States.

Details under the awards tab at our website: arnewsline.org.

We're looking for someone who has a real love of the hobby - perhaps
through a public service role in amateur radio. Maybe that young ham
you know serves as a net control for a local net.

Or they like working with other young people, helping expose them to
the fun and excitement of ham radio.

Maybe - thanks to Elmers or other mentors - they really have
developed a love of contesting or chasing DX and sharing those
experiences with others.

Are they active in your radio club?

Have they ever been to Dayton or made a presentation there or someplace
else?

How about introducing amateur radio at school?

Maybe establishing a school radio club.

Or have they helped set up and taken part in a contact with the
International Space Station?

Time to act now.

Deadline for nominations is May 31st.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Mark Abramowicz, NT3V.

**
HAM STATIONS WARMING UP FOR INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR RACES

PAUL/ANCHOR: If you're getting revved up for the annual special event
station at the Indianapolis Speedway, you're not alone. Jack Parker
W8ISH takes us for a test drive.

JACK: As spring temperatures warm up so do the radios at W9IMS, the
official special event station at the Indianapolis 500 Motor Speedway.
Starting early Monday May 9th, you can make contact with the special
event station for the Indy Grand Prix race the following weekend.
That's seven days of continuous access on 20 and 40 meters.

This is the first of three races and the special event stations for the
racing season at the famed two-and-one-half-mile oval in Speedway,
Indiana.

Later this month, beginning May 23rd, you can make a second contact
with W9IMS for the 106th running of the Indianapolis 500 mile race.
They will be logging contacts until race day. According to station
coordinator Bill Kennedy, WY9T, this is the 19th year for the Indy 500
special event station.

After a short breather, the W9IMS men and women will rev up the radios
again for the NASCAR 200 race beginning July 25th.

Each contact will receive a custom designed QSL card for each race.
Those hams logging all three special event stations are eligible for a
special three-race certificate this fall.

You can find more details of the times and dates by logging onto W9IMS
at QRZ. Com.

Reporting from Indianapolis, for Amateur Radio Newsline, this is Jack
Parker, W8ISH.
**
YOUNGSTERS PREP FOR DX ADVENTURE IN CURAÇAO

PAUL/ANCHOR: The three youngsters who were scheduled for a big DX
adventure in 2020 are two years older - and two years more eager to
get going and get on the air. They're ready for the Dave Kalter
Memorial Youth DX Adventure that will land them in CURAÇAO as PJ2T
between July 14th and 19th. Created in 2008, the adventure group
provides a DX experience, education and some travel experience for
young licensees between the ages of 12 and 17 at no cost to them. It is supported entirely by donations from individuals, clubs and other organizations. If you're heading to Hamvention later this month, stop
by booth number 2602 and meet the trio of young operators and their
team. Tickets will also be sold for a raffle drawing on an HF rig to
help support their trip. The trio of young radio amateurs are the same
ones chosen for the 2020 trip before it was cancelled because of the
pandemic. The youth DX group's last adventure was held in 2019 and set
a program record of 6,569 QSOs.

(DAVE KALTER MEMORIAL YOUTH DX ADVENTURE)

**
SCOUT CAMP ACTIVATION AT WEST POINT RETURNS AFTER 2 YEARS

PAUL/ANCHOR: A special event station for young Scouts in the United
States is back after two years, and it logged an impressive array of
contacts. For that story we turn to Newsline's newest correspondent,
George Zafiropoulos KJ6VU.

GEORGE: You might consider special event station W2P the official
station of the Comeback Kids. The 58th annual Scout Camporee at the
West Point Military Academy in New York had to be cancelled for two
consecutive years because of the COVID-19 pandemic. On the weekend of
April 22nd to 24th, it returned and got on the air, making 577 contacts
on CW and phone, covering 41 states and 25 DXCC entities on three
continents. James Gallo, KB2FMH, one of the organizers, told Newsline
that organizers and the West Point Scoutmaster's Council saw that the
camporee itself made up for lost time, even with the usual number of
6,000 attendees reduced to 4,000 as a COVID precaution. The radio
station had about 13 operators working in rotation on five stations on
Saturday and three stayed on with James to finish up the activation the
next day. James said the contacts were devoted to mini-ragchews, giving everyone a chance to share memories of being in Scouting or the
military. Many of the operators, who were from the Fair Lawn Amateur
Radio Club in New Jersey, handled the pileups and engaged their
contacts in a lively conversation. He said the most memorable contact
was logged in the middle of the night on 20 meters: a 5-watt station
with the call sign R5AJ. The operator told James he'd been a Scout as a
boy and when he found the listing on QRZ he had to make the call. He
gave the Scouts a signal report of 5 and 8.

For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm George Zafiropoulos KJ6VU.

(JAMES GALLO, KB2FMH)

PAUL/ANCHOR: If you worked W2P or heard it as a shortwave listener, QSL
with a stamped, self-addressed envelope to the mailing addresss of
W2TMR no later than May 9th.

**
WORLD OF DX

In the World of DX, be listening for Gustavo, HC2FG, operating as HD8FG
from Santa Cruz island, Galapagos Islands, SA-004. He will be on the
air until the 8th of May, operating only on 6m FT8 and satellites. QSL
to his home call.

Reiner, DL2AAZ will be active from Guadeloupe as TO2AZ from May 27th to
June 10th. Be listening on 40-10m where Reiner will be using CW and
SSB. Send QSLs to his home call.

Listen for Roland, F8EN, on the air from Libreville, Gabon as TR8CR
during the middle of May until July. Be listening on 40, 30 and 20
where he will be using CW. Send QSLs to F6AJA.

Be listening for Paul, ZS2PS, who will be operating mobile as he visits
Namibia in early May. He will be on the air through the middle of June, operating from various grids and doing some POTA activations. Be
listening on 80, 60, 40, 30, 20 and 10m. QSL via LoTW.

(DX-WORLD.NET)

**
KICKER: THROUGH MUSIC AND MUSINGS, A RADIO DOCUMENTARY ABOUT HAMS

PAUL/ANCHOR: Finally, we end with a story about hams reflecting on
being hams. It's the sum and substance of a new radio documentary that
made its premiere at an arts festival in the UK. Jeremy Boot G4NJH
brings us the details.

JEREMY: Radio celebrates radio in a half-hour audio documentary that
made its debut last month at an arts festival in Dublin. It is a
mixture of interviews with amateurs based in Ireland, actual on-air
contacts made by the hams and - because this was for an arts festival -
there is also music by the Ficino String Quartet, an ensemble also
based in Ireland. Dublin's Five Lamps Arts Festival presented the
half-hour programme, "Ham," as a broadcast on Dublin Digital Radio in
early April. The documentary is the creation of Craig Cox, a composer
and an active contributor to the city's experimental music community.
All those musical notes are complemented by an array of technical notes provided in interviews with Annard Brower, EI4IQB; Ana CaÅ(tm)izares
Bejarano, EI5IXB; Tony Breathnach, EI5EM; and Joe Guilf, EI2JZ. The
hams talk about moonbounce, signal reports, bandwidth and the music
inherent in the dits and dahs of Morse Code.

Though the Five Lamps Festival is a community-based event traditionally focusing on local arts, culture and theatre, the addition of the drama
and culture of amateur radio transported the celebration across
continents, if only for a few moments.

For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Jeremy Boot G4NJH.

PAUL/ANCHOR: The documentary can be heard now on demand on SoundCloud.
See the text version of this week's Newsline script for the link.

[FOR PRINT, DO NOT READ: soundcloud.com/craigcoxsound/ham ]

(FIVE LAMPS FESTIVAL, SOUNDCLOUD)

**
NEWSCAST CLOSE: With thanks to the Amateur Radio Experimenters Group;
ARRL; BBC; CQ Magazine; Dave Kalter Memorial Youth DX Adventure; David
Behar K7DB; DXWorld.net; EMFCamp; Five Lamps Festival; The Hindu
newspaper; the IEEE; James Gallo, KB2FMH; KPC News; New Zealand
Association of Radio Transmitters; Ohio Penn DX; QRZ.com; the Radio
Society of Great Britain; Royal Belgian Amateur Radio Union;
SoundCloud; Southgate Amateur Radio News; shortwaveradio.de; The Times
of India; the United States Navy; 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 you
all.

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 2022. All rights reserved.

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