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The Wirral & District Amateur Radio Club

Twice Winner of the RSGB Region 3

'Club of the Year' Trophy for 2013 & 2014

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from Wirral, UK and around the World !

Click for the RSGB NEWS for Radio Amateurs & SWL's

Looking for an archived News Item from last 12 months to read again ? click ARCHIVED NEWS

A booking has been made for our Christmas Bash
This will be at
The HINDERTON ARMS,
CHESTER HIGH ROAD,
NESTON
on Friday 6th December.

We’re counting down to the RSGB 2023 Convention and the Society is putting the final touches to the programme

RSGB Board Director Ben Lloyd, GW4BML has taken on the challenge of activating 10 summits during 12 days on the remote Scottish islands

The next Tonight @ 8 live webinar is on Monday, 2 October 2023 when Lee Volante, G0MTN will give a presentation aimed at newcomers to contesting.

The following is a QST. A special event station focuses on a rare medical concern. In Tennessee, amateur radio training gives new skills to the Medical Reserve Corps -- and hams in North Carolina celebrate a beloved ham's 106th birthday. All this and more as Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2396 comes your way right now.

Our top story this week highlights a very public special event inspired by a ham's very personal story. A special-event callsign is often used to celebrate or honor a person or a cause - but this callsign is going on the air very soon in Australia to educate. The subject is a rare and troublesome medical condition. We hear more from John Williams VK4JJW.

In 1989, Bernie Terry, VK4KX, was diagnosed with acromegaly, a rare condition resulting from an overproduction of growth hormones in the pituitary gland.Other health problems, such as diabetes and cardiomyopathy, can accompany it. Bernie writes on his QRZ.com page that although surgery can help some patients, it did not resolve things for him. He decided that, even as he attempts to manage the condition and its various related issues, he will be on the air as VI4ACRO throughout the month of November. His goal is to raise awareness about this condition and to encourage people to learn more about it.

Bernie said he will have the assistance of at least one other operator with the condition, Eric, VK4XR, and he is hoping to find other hams willing to take time to get on the air. The callsign will be active only during the month of November, kicking off on the first of the month, which is International Acromegaly Awareness Day.

See the QRZ.com page for VI4ACRO for additional QSO details - or to contact Bernie if you can operate during the month.

This is John Williams VK4JJW.

(WIA, QRZ.COM)

It took a few years of planning - and then a three-year interruption during the COVID-19 pandemic - but now an international conference of amateurs is preparing to gather again in Croatia, as we hear from Jeremy Boot G4NJH.

Inspired by the Radio Club Porec 9A1P - which takes its name from the Croatian town on the coast of the Adriatic Sea, - the second Istria Contest Conference is scheduled for October 6th, 7th and 8th and has been attracting a lot of attention. The pandemic called everything to a halt and organisers waited years for last year's inaugural gathering to happen. Already next month's second such event is drawing international attendance to the Croatian region known as Istria. One of the organisers, Mirko 9A6KX, told Newsline that hams have already reserved spots from New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, Germany, Austria, Italy, Hungary and much of the rest of Europe.

Not surprisingly, the programme material is not limited to contesting. Presenters include the popular YouTube channel producer and blogger Raisa R1BIG/OH7BG, who will speak on YLs' prominent roles in amateur radio; and a number of youth-related forums. There will also be live video calls with two DXpeditions, the 5WØLM operation on Samoa, and W8S on Swains Island.

For details, visit the link that appears in the text version of this week's newscast at ARNewsline.org

This is Jeremy Boot G4NJH.

https://icc2023.9a1p.com/index.html

(MIRKO, 9A6KX)

With the hope for clear skies on Saturday, October 14th, a small group of SOTA enthusiasts in Oregon will be climbing the peaks - not just for a chance at Summit-to-Summit contacts but to stop long enough to experience a total eclipse of the sun from an elevation. Andy Morrison K9AWM has that story for us.

Hams who are also fans of SOTA activations and camping out don't really need an excuse like an eclipse to make a big weekend event happen but Tim N7KOM and his friends are seizing the moment anyway in Oregon The state's southeastern region is in the path of totality for the annular (an-yuh-lerr) eclipse and that is as good an occasion as any for a hike up to Drake Peak, SOTA designation W7O/CE-002 (W Seven OH stroke CE Zero Zero Two), and Light Peak, W7O/CE-004 (W Seven Oh stroke Zero Zero Four). Writing on the SOTA Reflector, Tim announced his own plans to camp at Mud Creek Campground and arrive on one of the summits by 9:20 local time. His rig and of course his camera will be ready. Any operators wanting to contact him in advance should email him at timn7kom@gmail.com. He is willing to bulk-order viewing glasses to wear so everyone can safely view the event.

The weekend doesn't end when the eclipse is gone, however: Tim expects to keep getting more summits right up through Sunday afternoon.

This is Andy Morrison K9AWM.

(SOTA REFLECTOR)

AMSAT has announced two keynote speakers for the 41st annual Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting, as we hear from Kevin Trotman N5PRE.

Two notable radio amateurs will be presenting at the banquet being held at the AMSAT Space Symposium in Texas on October 20th and 21st. AMSAT has announced that the keynote speaker will be Bob Twiggs, KE6QMD, who was a co-inventor of the form factor for the popular miniature satellites known as CubeSats. He will be joined by Nick Pugh, K5QXJ. A telecommunications technology specialist, Nick's notable efforts have included the help he has given the college team at the University of Louisiana Lafayette to be the first campus team of its kind to build and launch satellites.

Meanwhile, if you want to be a presenter at the symposium, AMSAT is still accepting papers on topics that are related to amateur satellites. Final copies of symposium papers are due by the 12th of October but in the meantime, AMSAT would like to receive a tentative title for the talk. Send abstracts and papers to Dan Schultz, N8FGV, at n8fgv at amsat.org (n8fgv@amsat.org)

October promises to be a busy time for satellite enthusiasts everywhere. Just a week before the symposium in Texas, AMSAT-UK will be holding its 2023 Colloquium on the 14th and 15th of October in Milton Keynes, alongside the Radio Society of Great Britain's convention. The weekend will include the annual general meeting of AMSAT-UK and, of course, the gala dinner. For details visit the website that appears in the text version of this week's newscast at arnewsline.org.

This is Kevin Trotman N5PRE.

[DO NOT READ: https://amsat-uk.org ]

In Tennessee, some newly licensed hams are adding vital skills to the state's Medical Reserve Corps. Skeeter Nash N5ASH has those details.

Andrew Albertson KN4CTG has a little extra pride in his voice when he talks about the latest group of Technician class amateurs who passed their license exam in Tennessee. That's because they are graduates of a class he taught. So they're not just new hams but volunteers with the Tennessee Medical Reserve Corps, which began offering the classes last year. The MRC is giving a new priority to encouraging members to get their amateur radio licenses. The Tennessee MRC, which is overseen by the Tennessee State Department of Health, is part of a national network of more than 200,000 volunteers. Andrew told Newsline that he began teaching the classes last year after Melanie Grant, KQARE, coordinator for the MRC's South Tennessee area, asked if he would be willing to help expand the volunteers' skill set in that region to include communications.

Since then he has also taught classes in Tennessee's MRC in the nearby Upper Cumberland Region. The goal, he said, is to have a total of 50 to 60 volunteers licensed between the two regions to provide what he called an "organic capability" in communication within the ranks of the volunteers. The MRC does not replicate the work of ARES or RACES. Its mission is to be part of a larger public health response in the event of a crisis.

Andrew told Newsline in a phone interview [quote]: "By offering this we can have a more capable MRC without having to rely on other groups." [endquote]

He said he will be gearing up shortly for the next classes, which are free and use a modified curriculum based on ARRL materials. The 16-hour course is offered over a three-day span. The Technician license test is given at the conclusion. Andrew said that anyone interested in joining the Tennessee Medical Reserve Corps should visit the website. You can find a link in the text version of this week's newscast at arnewsline.org.

This is Skeeter Nash N5ASH.

Hams of all ages spent two days at a beautiful World Heritage Site in India where they devoted their efforts to the advancement of science and the art of radio. We have those details from Graham Kemp VK4BB.

More than 200 radio amateurs came to West Bengal, India from around the world for two days of sessions and workshops designed to expand skills and knowledge in the ever-evolving science of ham radio. The OSCAR Amateur Radio Convention was held on September 23rd and 24th, at the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as Santiniketan [pronounced SHON-TEE NUH KAY-TIN], considered an epicenter of education and literature. Special sessions were devoted in particular to engaging more YLs and more youth in amateur radio. Steve Chafe, KN6TKO, presented a forum introducing digital radio. Satellite enthusiasts got a chance to experience amateur satellite communication via the geostationary satellite QO-100 as contacts were logged between Qatar and India.

One of the core presentations focused on nurturing the spirit of experimentation among high school students. The session was called "Maximizing High Frequency DXing Success: Antennas, Propagation, Etiquette, and Planning."

This is Graham Kemp VK4BB.

(SAQUIB AHMED, VU3HZW)

The United States Marine Corps is inviting hams to get in the running and support one of the nation's largest marathons - without even lacing up their running shoes. Patrick Clark K8TAC explains how.

It's called the Marine Corps Marathon but it is also known as the People's Marathon. Running through Washington DC and nearby Arlington County, Virginia, the race is a showcase of discipline and physical fitness - the kinds of traits espoused by the United States Marines. The organizing team needs an estimated 150 ham radio operators at the event to help ensure the runners stay safe as they make their way through the nation's capital on Sunday, October 29th. More than 29,000 runners are expected to participate.

To volunteer for this important event, you can sign up online, select what assignment you want, and then create your profile. Hams who volunteer will be part of a critical communication network designed to ensure safety among runners, spectators and even fellow radio operators. Hams will need to attend one training session before the race and have access to an HT with VHF capacity and enough battery power to last about 12 hours.

For other details or to volunteer, see the link in the text version of this week's newscast at arnewsline.org

This is Patrick Clark K8TAC.

Congratulations to the ARRL Foundation, which is celebrating a half-century of philanthropic work on behalf of the amateur radio community. The foundation, which operates in partnership with the ARRL, provides grants to club, scholarships to students and gives other gives in support of keeping ham radio vibrant for the next generation of operators.

According to the ARRL website, the nonprofit organization reported in its most recent annual audit that it had $8 million in assets. It has been a long journey for the small charity that had simple beginnings in September of 1973, when it was formed with $1,000 and the efforts of a number of members of the league's board of directors. Larry Shima, WØPAN, is the sole surviving member of the original board of the foundation. He says on the ARRL website that he is particularly proud of the scholarship recipients that the foundation has been able to support over the years. The ARRL said it expects to award more than 100 scholarships next year, in amounts ranging from $500 to $25,000.

(ARRL)

In the World of DX, be listening for Elvira, IV3FSG, operating as 6W/IV3FSG from Senegal between the 26th of September and the 16th of October. She is operating SSB and the digital modes in her spare time. See QRZ.com for QSL details.

Seppo, OH1VR, is on the air as SV9/OH1VR, from Crete, IOTA number EU-015, from the 28th of September to the 3rd of October. Seppo will be operating mainly CW and can be found on 160 through 6 metres. QSL direct to his home call.

Be listening for Maurizio, IK2GZU, operating as 5H3MB from Tanzania from the 8th of November until the 8th of December, in between doing volunteer work at a local orphanage. He will be operating SSB, CW and the digital modes on 80-10 metres. See QRZ.com for QSL details.

The Wireless Institute of Australia is celebrating the milestone of 90 years of publishing its official journal, Amateur Radio. The WIA has reserved the special event callsign VK9ØAR (Vee Kay Nine Zero Ay R) that any WIA member or affiliated club can use through December 31st to help with the celebration. See QRZ.com for QSL details.

(425 DX BULLETIN)

We end this week's newscast with a party. It's a birthday party for a ham who has just turned 106 years old - and you're invited! Here's Ralph Squillace KK6ITB.

Three years ago, when he turned 103, Oscar Norris, W4OXH, (W 4 Oh Ex H) had to settle for a celebration that amounted to being a drive-through birthday party. It was the middle of the pandemic and to keep everyone safe, well-wishers' cars rolled past the North Carolina assisted living center where Oscar lives and kept the party moving - literally. This year, as the oldest active ham in the state - and perhaps even the nation - welcomed the age of 106, he was finally able to welcome his guests in person. His ham friends and his church friends mingled and celebrated the man everyone calls "grandpa." Two days before his actual birth date, he was already doing one of the happiest meet-and-greets of a lifetime.

For many of those attending, it has indeed been a lifetime - and more. Tony Jones, N4ATJ, president of the Gaston Radio Club in Gastonia, North Carolina, was a 14-year-old boy when Oscar handed him a book and encouraged him to study for his license. When Tony later got another license - the one that put him behind the wheel of a car - he would drive a lot with Oscar, who became blind after an eye infection more than 70 years ago.

Tony told Newsline [quote] "Oscar is a legend here." [endquote]

If you couldn't get to Courtland Terrace Assisted Living for the party on the 23rd of September, you can still join the celebration - wherever in the world you may be - by listening for the callsgn N1O (En One Oh). North Carolina's biggest ham radio fans of Oscar Norris are using that callsign until the 1st of October - working from their home QTH or even going to activate a POTA station.

Tony said it is because Oscar has been a friend and an Elmer to everyone throughout his exceptionally long life.

He said: [quote] "This is all to honor our beloved Oscar. He is one of a kind and means the world to all of us." [endquote]

For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Ralph Squillace KK6ITB.

(TONY JONES N4ATJ, GASTON GAZETTE)

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, give some thought to the true poetry of amateur radio and let your literary self shine through. 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 the number of syllables you must use to write your three-line haiku.

NEWSCAST CLOSE: With thanks to Amateur Radio Daily; Andrew Albertson, KN4CTG; CQ Magazine; David Behar K7DB; Enigma Reloaded; 425DXNews; Facebook; Gaston Gazette; Intrepid-Dx Group; Mirko, 9A6KX; QSO Today; Saquib Ahmed, VU3HZW; shortwaveradio.de; Tony Jones, N4ATJ; Wireless Institute of Australia; 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 Stephen Kinford N8WB in Wadsworth Ohio saying 73. As always we thank you for listening. Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) is Copyright 2023. All rights reserved.

Keplerian Bulletin 73 ARLK073
From ARRL Headquarters
Newington, CT September 26, 2023
To all radio amateurs

Special thanks to AMSAT-NA (AMSAT.ORG) for the following Keplerian data.

Decode 2-line elsets with the following key:
1 AAAAAU 00 0 0 BBBBB.BBBBBBBB .CCCCCCCC 00000-0 00000-0 0 DDDZ
2 AAAAA EEE.EEEE FFF.FFFF GGGGGGG HHH.HHHH III.IIII JJ.JJJJJJJJKKKKKZ
KEY: A-CATALOGNUM B-EPOCHTIME C-DECAY D-ELSETNUM E-INCLINATION F-RAAN
G-ECCENTRICITY H-ARGPERIGEE I-MNANOM J-MNMOTION K-ORBITNUM Z-CHECKSUM

0 AO-07
1 07530U 74089B   23269.62392823 -.00000018 00000-0 17634-3 0 9994
2 07530 101.9582 257.0196 0011883 229.2081 244.1718 12.53667310235885
0 ISS
1 25544U 98067A   23269.68716995 .00023780 00000-0 42730-3 0 9992
2 25544 51.6442 185.7812 0005971 69.7057   8.9569 15.49724853417537
0 SO-50
1 27607U 02058C   23269.49263109 .00002627 00000-0 37546-3 0 9998
2 27607 64.5560 314.2780 0058033 203.2415 156.6063 14.77664224117190
0 AO-73
1 39444U 13066AE 23268.85153895 .00010318 00000-0 11100-2 0 9993
2 39444 97.6818 229.7399 0050297 302.0031 57.6303 14.87753651531198
0 XW-2A
1 40903U 15049E   23112.43632650 .18814400 25108-5 15498-3 0 9990
2 40903 97.0819 181.5568 0011783 175.5276 309.8044 16.51931608427640
0 IO-86
1 40931U 15052B   23266.86029560 .00001495 00000-0 11661-3 0 9992
2 40931   5.9994 102.0890 0013575 253.8005 106.0628 14.77367694431969
0 CAS-4B
1 42759U 17034B   23269.43293486 .00015711 00000-0 73815-3 0 9995
2 42759 43.0147 272.0798 0010165 32.1254 328.0212 15.19352815347027
0 CAS-4A
1 42761U 17034D   23269.44855698 .00016795 00000-0 78766-3 0 9991
2 42761 43.0132 270.5096 0010953 34.1871 325.9681 15.19368119347020
0 AO-91
1 43017U 17073E   23269.20101007 .00010291 00000-0 69630-3 0 9996
2 43017 97.6137 149.5697 0230267 95.2471 267.5065 14.87534920316193
0 PO-101
1 43678U 18084H   23269.48236776 .00003767 00000-0 36043-3 0 9996
2 43678 98.0369 55.6047 0009514 179.1619 180.9618 14.93810980267387
0 QO-100
1 43700U 18090A   23268.98755229 .00000132 00000-0 00000-0 0 9996
2 43700   0.0261 170.6429 0001277 15.2142 199.9849 1.00271106 17696
0 JO-97
1 43803U 18099AX 23269.14693647 .00009295 00000-0 70985-3 0 9994
2 43803 97.5621 329.2062 0013377 119.7190 240.5368 15.02114082262847
0 CAS-6
1 44881U 19093C   23269.46096016 .00001873 00000-0 23772-3 0 9994
2 44881 97.8552 346.1709 0016068 106.6884 253.6094 14.82789341203806
0 RS-44
1 44909U 19096E   23269.54562949 .00000041 00000-0 12536-3 0 9992
2 44909 82.5165 280.5946 0216555 310.2010 48.0311 12.79722878175126
0 XW-3
1 50466U 21131B   23269.47950387 .00001076 00000-0 36252-3 0 9999
2 50466 98.5470 350.6954 0004206 182.3016 177.8153 14.39069265 91929
0 IO-117
1 53106U 22080B   23269.37565288 -.00000003 00000-0 00000-0 0 9997
2 53106 70.1406 284.5561 0008473 167.7073 192.3795 6.42557266 28255
0 FO-118
1 54684U 22167C   23269.51041278 .00022728 00000-0 11586-2 0 9999
2 54684 97.5750 46.6518 0012447 349.3635 10.7333 15.16702852 44027

Keplerian bulletins are transmitted twice weekly from W1AW.

The next scheduled transmission of these data will be Friday, September 29, 2023, at 2330z on Baudot and BPSK31.

DX Bulletin 39 ARLD039
From ARRL Headquarters
Newington CT September 28, 2023
To all radio amateurs

This week's bulletin was made possible with information provided by The Daily DX, 425 DX News, DXNL, Contest Corral from QST and the ARRL Contest Calendar and WA7BNM web sites. Thanks to all.

MONACO, 3A. During October all Monaco amateur radio operators are allowed to use the special call sign 3A70ARM to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the creation of the Association des Radioamateurs de Monaco. Activity may be on 80 meters to 10 GHz using all modes. QSL via operators' instructions.

RODRIGUES ISLAND, 3B9. Andreas, DK6AS is QRV as 3B9/DK6AS. Activity is generally on 10 meters using CW. His length of stay is unknown. QSL to home call.

TIMOR-LESTE, 4W. Satoshi, JH2EUV is QRV as 4W/JH2EUV from Dili until October 13. Activity is in his spare time on 80 to 6 meters. QSL to home call.

SAMOA, 5W. Livo, 9A7Y, Mladen, 9A2NA, Borut, S50B and Rolando, 9A3MR will be QRV as 5W0LM from October 1 to 14. Activity will be on 160 to 6 meters using CW, SSB, and some FT8. QSL via 9A3MR.

UGANDA, 5X. Members of the Czech DXpedition Team are QRV as 5X3K until October 27. Activity is on 160 to 10 meters using CW, SSB, RTTY, and FT8. QSL via OK6DJ.

SENEGAL, 6W. Elvira, IV3FSG is QRV as 6W/IV3FSG until October 16. QSL via IK2DUW.

GHANA, 9G. David, AB0GC is QRV as 9G1SD. He is active in his spare time mostly on 12 meters using SSB. QSL to home call.

FRENCH POLYNESIA, FO. Manfred, DK1BT, Wolf, DL4WK, Annette, DL6SAK, Tom, DL7BO and Frank, DL7UFR will be QRV as TX6D from Tahiti,
IOTA OC-046, from October 2 to 15. Activity will be on 160 to 10 meters, including 60 meters, with 5 stations using CW, SSB, and various digital modes. QSL via DL7DF.

ST. VINCENT, J8. Brian, GW4DVB will be QRV as J88PI from Palm Island, IOTA NA-025, from October 2 to 10. Activity will be on 40 to 6 meters using SSB, SSTV, and FT8. QSL direct to home call.

SWAINS ISLAND, KH8. A group of operators will be QRV as W8S from October 4 to 17. Activity will be on 160 to 6 meters using CW, SSB, RTTY, and FT8.
QSL via LoTW.

TUVALU, T2. A group of operators are QRV as T22T from Funafuti, IOTA OC-015, until October 9. Activity is on 160 to 6 meters with ten stations using CW, SSB, and FT8 in DXpedition mode. QSL via LoTW.

EAST KIRIBATI, T32. Bert, K3AAN/CX3AN will be QRV as T32AN from Christmas Island from October 4 to 11. Activity will be holiday style on 40 to 6 meters using mostly SSB with some CW. QSL via EB7DX.

BELIZE, V3. Dave, KM4DYR will be QRV as V31DN from Ambergris Cay, IOTA NA-073, and other islands in the group from October 1 to 9. Activity will be on 40, 20, and 10 meters using SSB. His primary goal is to activate a number of Parks on The Air sites. QSL direct to home call.

MARSHALL ISLANDS, V7. Lisa, KJ6GHN is QRV as V73ML from Kwajalein Atoll. Activity is currently on 160 to 6 meters using mostly SSB. She is here for the next 3 to 4 years. QSL via LoTW. In addition, look for Ulrich, DL2AH to be QRV as either V7/DL2AH or possibly V73AH from Majuro, IOTA OC-029, from October 3 to 15. QSL direct to home call.

LORD HOWE ISLAND, VK9L. Bob, W7YAQ and Al, K7AR are QRV as VK9LAA until October 4. Activity is on 160 to 6 meters. QSL via W7YAQ.

VIET NAM, XV. Greg, XV9BPO is active as XV9Q. Activity is on the HF bands. QSL via LoTW.

ALBANIA, ZA. Antonis, SV1ENG is QRV as ZA/SV1ENG from Lucove until October 1. Activity is on the HF bands using mostly CW with some SSB and various digital modes. QSL to home call.

TRISTAN DA CUNHA AND GOUGH ISLANDS, ZD9. Yuris, YL2GM is QRV as ZD9W from Tristan da Cunha, IOTA AF-029, until October 22. Activity is on 160 to 6 meters using CW, SSB, and FT8. QSL via LoTW.

THIS WEEKEND ON THE RADIO. The NCCC FT4 Sprint, NCCC RTTY Sprint, NCCC Sprint CW Ladder, K1USN Slow Speed CW Test, Feld Hell Sprint, The Worked All Provinces of China DX CW Contest, UK/EI DX SSB Contest, Russian World Wide Multimode Contest, AWA Amplitude Modulation QSO Party, UBA ON SSB Contest and the Peanut Power QRP Sprint are all scheduled for this upcoming weekend.

The K1USN Slow Speed CW Test, ICWC Medium Speed CW Test, OK1WC Memorial, RSGB 80-Meter Autumn CW Series, ARS Spartan Sprint, Worldwide Sideband Activity Contest, German Telegraphy CW Contest, Phone Weekly Test, A1Club AWT, CWops Test, VHF-UHF FT8 Activity Contest, Mini-Test 40, Mini-Test 80, 432 MHz Fall Sprint and the UKEICC 80-Meter SSB Contest are on tap for October 2 to 4.

Please see September 2023 QST, page 70, October 2023 QST, page 72, and the ARRL Contest Calendar and WA7BNM Contest Web Sites for details.

We would like to draw your attention to the upcoming DXpedition W8S to Swains Island, IOTA OC-200. From 4 to 17 October, a dedicated team of ten radio amateurs, including five Dutchmen, will be active. Operating in CW, SSB, RTTY and FT8 modes, they will work around the clock from two camps and aim for around 75,000 QSOs.

We wish the team around Hans, DL6JGN, every success and keep you updated here and via social media.

It is just three weeks until the RSGB 2023 Convention so grab a coffee and browse the great line-up of speakers at this year’s event.

After serving for nine years, the RSGB Trophy Manager is retiring and we are looking for a new volunteer for this role. Although traditionally an individual role, the tasks of the Trophy Manager could also be carried out by a small team.

If you are interested in applying for the role as an individual or a small team, please email gm.dept@rsgb.org.uk or you can find out more about the role on our website.

The RSGB Board is pleased to announce the appointment of Richard Horton, G4AOJ as a co-opted Director, to assist it in its duties until the RSGB 2024 AGM.

The RSGB website experienced downtime on Sunday, 17 September owing to an issue affecting a third party service provider.

Although the situation was outside of our control, we do apologise for any inconvenience caused by this incident.

The following is a QST. A club goes QRT after vandals destroy their equipment. Hams in Latvia celebrate the mechanical key -- and hams, it's almost time to head for the bunkers in the UK. All this and more as Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2395 comes your way right now.

We begin this week with the story of a ham radio club in Canada that is struggling with the loss of important radio equipment that was the heart and soul of the group. We hear about them from Sel Embee KB3TZD.

The Cambridge Amateur Radio Club VE3SWR went QRT earlier this month following a break-in at the shed where the club stores its equipment. The Kitchener-Waterloo Amateur Radio Club helped get them back on the air. While the Cambridge club sorts out the damage and the losses from the early September incident, members have been given use of the Kitchener-Waterloo club's equipment and repeaters. Harry Niezen, VE3HZ, president of the Kitchener club, told the CBC that it was natural for the club to open its doors to help fellow hams.

According to a story on the CBC website, Scott Mitchell, VA3GGT, president of the Cambridge club, said that the club's electric generator went missing along with numerous tools after the break-in. Part of the storage shed had been set on fire and the club's repeaters suffered smoke damage. The club's duplexer had been thrown to the other side of the shed and was destroyed.

Scott said he discovered the damage in early September after going to the shed to check on why the club repeater had not been on the air for a few days. He thought perhaps the extreme heat in that part of Canada had caused the shutdown. Temperatures were 40 degrees Celsius, including the humidity index.

Scott posted on the club's Facebook page that although much of the shed was ransacked [quote] "thankfully our repeaters were the only thing they didn’t break into." [endquote]

The incident has been reported to police. According to a report on iheartradio Canada, the losses and damage are estimated at between $2,000 and $3,000.

This is Sel Embee, KB3TZD.

(CBC, IHEARTRADIO. CAN, FACEBOOK)

In Maine, hams are getting ready to take on a lifesaving project that addresses a need in one part of their region of the state. Andy Morrison K9AWM fills us in.

An amateur radio club in Maine says there is something important missing in one region of Aroostoock County: an emergency amateur radio tower. The group, the Caribou Emergency Amateur Radio Service, plans to change that. Members are raising the estimated $35,000 they will need to build a 190-foot tower filling the radio void that exists between Caribou and the St. John Valley. The hams plan to install the tower on a 1.5-acre plot of land donated by Caribou Emergency Amateur Radio Service president T.H. Merritt, KL5YJ, and his wife, Terri. They said the land's high altitude makes it an especially good location for a tower.

When completed, this will be the Caribou group's fourth tower for use by area hams for communications every day and in emergency situations.

The new tower will also be a welcome addition to communicators around the region, according to Darren Woods, KC1ERZ, the director of Aroostook's Emergency Management Agency. He told the Bangor, Maine, Daily News that all first responders in the area will benefit from having this kind of expanded radio access in a crisis.

The funds being raised are expected to cover the cost of the tower, a backup generator that relies on solar and battery power, and other items. The Caribou radio group, which is a nonprofit organization, has also applied for a $8,590 community safety grant from the local utility, Versant Power, to purchase a repeater.

This is Andy Morrison K9AWM.

(BANGOR DAILY NEWS)

The amateur radio operator's tool kit for disaster assistance usually consists of towers, radios, antennas and other communications equipment. Now one club in Missouri has just added a new device - one that communicates with the heart. Randy Sly W4XJ brings us the details.

The Sedalia-Pettis Amateur Radio Klub has a new addition to its emergency communications trailer. It's an AED, an automated external defibrillator which is capable of restoring the heart's natural rhythm in cases of cardiac arrest. The small device was donated by an organization called Wear Red for Women, which raised the funds to buy it during a luncheon and auction earlier this year.

The club's vice president, Richard Camirand, KEØQYA, told local media that the AED will be placed in the emergency communications trailer that hams use during disaster drills as well as real emergencies.

This is Randy Sly W4XJ.

(KMMO RADIO, THE SEDALIA DEMOCRAT)

You may have worked the Latvian Contest Group YL1ZX in any number of major contests on the band over the course of any year. Well, now those same hams are involved in another activity - one that its members have organized as a kind of celebration. We hear about it from Jeremy Boot G4NJH.

Something special will be happening on 80 metres in a few short weeks: It's a celebration of the mechanical key used by many CW operators. This one-hour activity featuring bugs, side-swiper and straight keys will encourage amateurs to shake the dust off on the 13th of October and engage in as many QSOs as they can using a simple exchange. The activity frequencies will be between 3.520 MHz and 3.560 MHz. Operators will be calling "CQ MK," of course, for "mechanical key."

This is the third activity of this kind that the group will have hosted this year in the hopes of recognising these keys' increasing popularity.

For details and to see the operators' simple exchange, see the link that can be found in the text version of this week's newscast.

This is Jeremy Boot G4NJH.

(QRZ.COM, LATVIAN CONTEST GROUP)

The ham radio community can once again be proud of some of the award-winners being recognized by the Radio Club of America. Who are they? Neil Rapp WB9VPG tells us.

A number of amateur radio operators are being recognized by the Radio Club of America for their contributions to radio and the wireless community. Ruth Willet KM4LAO, was chosen as the first recipient of the Radio Club of America's Carole Perry Young Professional Award. According to the RCA website, her selection was based on her work with the RCA's Youth Activities Program and recognizes her pursuit of a career in the wireless industry. Ruth previously received the RCA's Young Achiever Award while she was an undergraduate at Kettering University in Michigan.

The other recipients include Ray Novak N9JA of Icom America, who will receive RCA's Special Service Award. Tim Duffy, K3LR, the CEO of DXEngineering is being recognized for products their business has provided to the wireless industry. They will join a number of others at an awards banquet in November in Denver, Colorado.

The RCA has also announced the inauguration of two awards named for scientsts prominent in the field of radio. The awards are named for entrepreneur and scientist Ulrich Rohde N1UL/DJ2LR and Nobel Prize-winning radio astronomer Arno Penzias. The first recipients will be named next year. The Ulrich L. Rohde Award for Innovation in Applied Radio Science and Engineering recognizes innovation and major contributions to wireless communications. The Arno A. Penzias Award for Contributions to Basic Research in the Radio Sciences recognizes research in RF and related subjects.

This is Neil Rapp WB9VPG.

(RADIO WORLD)

If your heart is set on getting that elusive Worked All States award and the state of Wyoming is still missing from your log, wait no longer. Special event station W7Y will be listening for you from September 22nd to October 2nd. When operators around the state call "QRZ" what they're really saying is "Come and Get Wyoming" - which just happens to be the name of the event being organized by the ShyWy Amateur Radio Club. Just as in previous years, Wyoming contacts are out there for the taking so get on the air and go for it. For additional details visit QRZ.com and look for W7Y - "come and get Wyoming."

(ROBERT BRAGG, WY7AA; QRZ.COM)

What's better than camping out with friends and radios? How about camping out with MORE friends and MORE radios? That's why three Wisconsin amateurs are sharing their annual autumn tradition with the immediate world. Kent Peterson KCØDGY tells us what's going on.

In autumn, you'll find Michael KB9VBR, Travis W9HDG, and Joe KD9CJX in the park together, camping and calling CQ as they have done for a few years now. This year, as October rolls around, they've decided to put out another call - a QST to anyone and everyone in the area, or who'll be visiting, to join them at the Clear Lake Campground in the Northern Highlands American Legion State Forest. That park carries the POTA designation K-7260 so you know what that means.

The three ham hosts are calling this the inaugural Wisconsin Ham Radio POTA Campout and it's taking place on October 13th to the 15th. According to the event website, you can activate as much or as little as you like and use any mode you wish. Come for the weekend - or just for a day. However, if you're going to camp, you'll need to make a reservation through the Wisconsin state parks system.

If you want to attend, you can use the contact form on the event website or email Michael directly. His email address and the campout website both appear in the text version of this week's newscast at arnewsline.org

Oh, and arrive prepared for the kind of the outdoor weather that mid-October in Wisconsin can bring. The campout even has its own official T-shirt and hoodie, with either to be worn, depending on the weather. As for the weather, well, the organizers say that this event will take place, rain or shine -- or anything else!

This is Kent Peterson KCØDGY.

(DO NOT READ: Michael's email is kb9vbr@jpole-antenna.com
Event website is: https://www.jpole-antenna.com/2023/08/14/join-us-for-the-1st-ever-wisconsin-pota-campout/ ]

(AMATEUR RADIO DAILY)

History will come alive next month at numerous military bunkers around the UK. This is a radio exercise, not a contest, and organizers hope it will become a popular event every year. We learn more from Jeremy Boot G4NJH.

Throughout October, hams and shortwave listeners around the world are getting a new chance to make contact with hundreds of Royal Observer Corps bunkers throughout the UK, including the Isle of Man. Activators will be stationed all month at these important defence watching posts just as other hams have done over the years when the event was managed by a team at Castles and Stately Homes on the Air. Organisers of this event are dedicating it to the memory of Chris Darlington, MØDOL, who helped create the programme for the previous group. Chris became a Silent Key in the spring of 2017.

The origins lie with the Coventry Amateur Radio Society, which made bunker activations a club event for some four years. Two hams, Brian G8GMU and Joshua M3HBM, are credited with starting the activity as a low-power VHF and UHF exercise.

Bunkers, of course, are used as observation posts and in keeping with that mission, the organisers will be doing just that to see whether this is a viable programme that can be launched in earnest starting in November.

Visit the event website at the link that appears in the text version of this week's newscast script at arnewsline.org

This is Jeremy Boot G4NJH.

(WIA, BOTA)

In the World of DX, listen for Darren, VK4MAP, operating holiday style as 3D2RAT from Rotuma Island, IOTA number OC-060, until the 29th of September. Darren is using SSB on 80, 40, 20, 15, 12 and 10 metres. QSL direct to his home call.

The Emirates Amateur Radio Society is marking Saudi National Day with a special callsign A6ØARS. The station will be on the air through to the 23rd of September. Details are available on QRZ.com. The callsign A91ARS will also be on the air through the 23rd, operating by the Bahrain Amateur Radio Society. QSL via EC6DX.

Listen for John, AG7N, using the call DL/AG7N as he operates holiday style from Norderney Island, EU-047, through to the 23rd of September. Listen on 20 metres where he will be using CW. See QRZ.com for details.

Vincent, K6VVK, is operating holiday style as FO/K6VVK from two islands in French Polynesia. He is on Moorea, IOTA number OC-046, from the 25th of September to the 1st of October and then he is moving on to Rangiroa, IOTA number OC-066, where he will operate from the 2nd to the t6th of October. He will be using SSB, CW and FT8/FT4 on the HF bands and 6 metres. See QRZ.com for QSL details.

(425 DX BULLETIN)

In our last story, we introduce a prominent figure in radio astronomy, the late Australian researcher Joe Pawsey. How big are his contributions? As we hear from Graham Kemp VK4BB, they're as big as the universe itself.

It took 15 years and the efforts of three authors on two continents to complete the project - but the fruits of their labour would likely have brought a smile to Australian radio astronomer Joe Pawsey. His biography has been published.

W.M. Goss, Claire Hooker and Ronald D Ekers collaborated on the book, "Joe Pawsey and the Founding of Australian Radio Astronomy." On Wednesday, the 27th of September, scientists at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory in New Mexico are preparing to celebrate the coauthors' achievement, which maps the researcher's life and work and its relevance to radio astronomy today.

The story tracks the researcher's earliest studies following the Second World War, when Joe Pawsey was at the helm of Australia's first radio astronomy research group. He is credited with inspiring the creation of the radio astronomy group of the Radiophysics Laboratory at Australia's national science agency in Sydney. The book explains how his study of the interference between radio waves later paved the way for creation of the Very Large Array, antennas that create a single telescope spanning great distances.

The book launch, like the book itself, has also spanned great distances. In July, the Pawsey Supercomputing Research Centre in Perth hosted the event in his native Australia -- a nation whose profile he helped elevate in the world of science. As Ronald Ekers writes on the NRAO website [quote] "The book explains how an isolated continent with limited resources grew to be one of the international leaders in the study of radio astronomy and the design of instruments to do so.” [endquote]

This is Graham Kemp VK4BB.

(NATIONAL RADIO ASTRONOMY OBSERVATORY)

What's the one ham radio competition you can enter without turning your rig on? The Amateur Radio Newsline haiku challenge. In the spirit of fun and perhaps a little bit of literary adventure, we've been inviting listeners to channel their most creative selves and share the joy of ham radio in the form of a haiku. On our website, arnewsline.org, you will find a submission form. Use it to send your most poetic offering that follows the traditional haiku form: The first line is five syllables, the second line is seven syllables and the finishing third line has another five syllables. We cannot accept any other formats.

Our team will pick from the best submissions that follow the 5/7/5 syllable rule and represent the love of amateur radio. Your prize? For now, bragging rights -- and a featured spot for your haiku on the Amateur Radio Newsline website. We may have a surprise for you at the end of the year, however. So visit our website at arnewsline.org and take a look at this week's winning ham radio haiku.

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.

NEWSCAST CLOSE: With thanks to Amateur Radio Daily; ARRL; Bangor Daily News; the BBC; Bunkers on the Air; CBC; CQ Magazine; David Behar K7DB; Facebook; 425DXNews; iHeartRadio; Latvian Contest Group; National Radio Astronomy Observatory; QRZ.com; Radio World; Robert Bragg, WY7AA; The Sedalia Democrat; shortwaveradio.de; Wireless Institute of Australia; 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 Paul Braun WD9GCO in Valparaiso Indiana saying 73. As always we thank you for listening. Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) is Copyright 2023. All rights reserved.

Keplerian Bulletin 71 ARLK071
From ARRL Headquarters
Newington, CT September 19, 2023
To all radio amateurs

Special thanks to AMSAT-NA (AMSAT.ORG) for the following Keplerian data.

Decode 2-line elsets with the following key:
1 AAAAAU 00 0 0 BBBBB.BBBBBBBB .CCCCCCCC 00000-0 00000-0 0 DDDZ
2 AAAAA EEE.EEEE FFF.FFFF GGGGGGG HHH.HHHH III.IIII JJ.JJJJJJJJKKKKKZ
KEY: A-CATALOGNUM B-EPOCHTIME C-DECAY D-ELSETNUM E-INCLINATION F-RAAN
G-ECCENTRICITY H-ARGPERIGEE I-MNANOM J-MNMOTION K-ORBITNUM Z-CHECKSUM

0 AO-07
1 7530U 74089B   23262.44422212 -.00000044 00000-0 14655-4 0 9993
2 7530 101.9571 249.7856 0011847 243.2576 240.3820 12.53667070235222
0 ISS
1 25544U 98067A   23262.71774273 .00014877 00000-0 27354-3 0 9994
2 25544 51.6417 220.2818 0005765 37.9333 16.5128 15.49421761416453
0 SO-50
1 27607U 02058C   23261.64187686 .00002209 00000-0 31900-3 0 9996
2 27607 64.5573 338.3584 0059023 205.0026 154.8217 14.77623182116032
0 AO-73
1 39444U 13066AE 23262.39465529 .00008478 00000-0 91520-3 0 9995
2 39444 97.6819 223.4855 0050976 323.9004 35.8774 14.87644551530235
0 XW-2A
1 40903U 15049E   23112.43632650 .18814400 25108-5 15498-3 0 9990
2 40903 97.0819 181.5568 0011783 175.5276 309.8044 16.51931608427640
0 IO-86
1 40931U 15052B   23262.40475406 .00001444 00000-0 10965-3 0 9992
2 40931   5.9990 133.8960 0013150 192.3198 167.6608 14.77360138431309
0 CAS-4B
1 42759U 17034B   23262.46392670 .00012938 00000-0 61332-3 0 9995
2 42759 43.0152 310.9302 0011311 346.8976 13.1578 15.19160202345961
0 CAS-4A
1 42761U 17034D   23262.41387058 .00012503 00000-0 59269-3 0 9991
2 42761 43.0152 309.7273 0011981 347.1315 12.9226 15.19176824345965
0 AO-91
1 43017U 17073E   23261.66669559 .00008397 00000-0 57114-3 0 9997
2 43017 97.6139 142.3332 0230433 120.0172 242.4127 14.87391658315078
0 PO-101
1 43678U 18084H   23262.38195169 .00002075 00000-0 20135-3 0 9994
2 43678 98.0374 48.3446 0008855 203.4321 156.6495 14.93772601266326
0 QO-100
1 43700U 18090A   23262.04980171 .00000152 00000-0 00000+0 0 9994
2 43700   0.0245 254.5170 0002429 312.8735 194.0654 1.00272015 17877
0 JO-97
1 43803U 18099AX 23261.15281522 .00007443 00000-0 57146-3 0 9999
2 43803 97.5641 321.4129 0013578 142.1539 218.0643 15.01975956261644
0 CAS-6
1 44881U 19093C   23262.44279318 .00001618 00000-0 20633-3 0 9993
2 44881 97.8557 339.2765 0015825 127.6720 232.5932 14.82763195202768
0 RS-44
1 44909U 19096E   23261.80577861 .00000013 00000-0 11443-4 0 9998
2 44909 82.5171 285.7411 0216812 328.3542 30.4671 12.79722687174135
0 XW-3
1 50466U 21131B   23262.45699104 .00000852 00000-0 28999-3 0 9997
2 50466 98.5475 343.6981 0003793 203.5399 156.5616 14.39054147 90915
0 IO-117
1 53106U 22080B   23261.43787344 -.00000003 00000-0 00000+0 0 9994
2 53106 70.1429 287.3171 0008510 169.3045 190.7797 6.42557208 27740
0 FO-118
1 54684U 22167C   23262.38450657 .00018985 00000-0 97645-3 0 9993
2 54684 97.5753 39.5366 0012844 14.4171 345.7426 15.16423492 42941

Keplerian bulletins are transmitted twice weekly from W1AW.

The next scheduled transmission of these data will be Friday, September 22, 2023, at 2330z on Baudot and BPSK31.

DX Bulletin 38 ARLD038
From ARRL Headquarters
Newington CT September 21, 2023
To all radio amateurs

This week's bulletin was made possible with information provided by OH1VR, The Daily DX, 425 DX News, DXNL, Contest Corral from QST and the ARRL Contest Calendar and WA7BNM web sites. Thanks to all.

ROTUMA ISLAND, 3D2. Darren, VK4MAP is QRV as 3D2RAT until September 29. Activity is holiday style on 80 to 10 meters using SSB. QSL direct to home call.

TIMOR-LESTE, 4W. Satoshi, JH2EUV is QRV as 4W/JH2EUV from Dili until October 13. Activity is in his spare time on 80 to 6 meters. QSL to home call.

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, A6. Members of the Emirati Radio Amateur Society are QRV as A60ARS, and A60ARS/0 to /9 to mark Saudi Arabia's National Day celebrations. QSL via operators' instructions.

BAHRAIN, A9. Members of the Bahrain Radio Amateur Organization are QRV as A91ARS to mark Saudi Arabia's National Day celebrations. QSL via EC6DX.

FRENCH POLYNESIA, FO. Vincent, K6VVK will be QRV as FO/K6VVK from Moorea, IOTA OC-046, from September 25 to October 1, and then from Rangiroa, IOTA OC-066, on October 2 to 6. Activity will be holiday style on the HF bands and 6 meters, using CW, SSB, FT8, and FT4. QSL via LoTW.

REPUBLIC OF KOREA, HL. Hojoong, DS1TUW, will be QRV as DS1TUW/2 from Taeljaj Island, IOTA AS-090, on September 23 and 24. Activity will be on 40 to 6 meters using CW and FT8. QSL via LoTW.

SAUDI ARABIA, HZ. Special callsigns HZ93ND, 7Z93ND, and 8Z93ND are QRV until September 23 while celebrating National Day. QSL via HZ1SAR.

ALAND ISLANDS, OH0. Operators PA2A, PE1NYQ, PG2K and PA0VHA are QRV as OH0RY from Mellanon Island, IOTA EU-002, until September 30. Activity is on the HF bands. This includes being an entry in the CQ World Wide RTTY DX Contest. QSL via operators' instructions.

DENMARK, OZ. Dieter, DF2SD is QRV as OV9R from Fano Island, IOTA EU-125, and Nationalpark Vadehavet until September 30. This includes being an entry in the CQ World Wide RTTY DX contest. QSL via LoTW.

CURACAO, PJ2. Gabor, HA3JB is QRV as PJ2/HA3JB until September 26. Activity is on 80 to 6 meters using CW, SSB, RTTY, and FT8. This includes being an entry in the CQ World Wide RTTY DX contest. QSL direct.

CRETE, SV9. Seppo, OH1VR will be QRV as SV9/OH1VR near Chania from September 28 to October 3. Activity will be on 160 to 6 meters using mainly CW.
QSL direct to home call.

TUVALU, T2. A group of operators are QRV as T22T from Funafuti, IOTA OC-015, until October 9. Activity is on 160 to 6 meters bands with ten stations using CW, SSB, and FT8 in DXpedition mode. QSL via LoTW.

EAST KIRIBATI, T32. Ken, KH6QJ is QRV as T32AZ from Kiritimati, IOTA OC-024, until October 17. QSL to home call.

LORD HOWE ISLAND, VK9L. Bob, W7YAQ and Al, K7AR are QRV as VK9LAA until October 4. Activity is on 160 to 6 meters. This includes being an entry in the CQ World Wide RTTY DX contest. QSL via W7YAQ.

MYANMAR, XZ. Akio, JE2QIZ is QRV as XZ2B until September 30. Activity is on 15 to 6 meters using CW. QSL via JH3SIF.

ALBANIA, ZA. Antonis, SV1ENG is QRV as ZA/SV1ENG from Lucove until October 1. Activity is on the HF bands using mostly CW with some SSB and various digital modes. QSL to home call.

TRISTAN DA CUNHA AND GOUGH ISLANDS, ZD9. Yuris, YL2GM will be QRV as ZD9W from Tristan da Cunha, IOTA AF-029, from September 24 to October 22. Activity will be on 160 to 6 meters using CW, SSB, and FT8. QSL via LoTW.

CHATHAM ISLANDS, ZL7. Holger, ZL3IO is QRV as ZL7IO until September 29. Activity is on 160 to 10 meters using CW, SSB, RTTY, FT8, and FT4. He plans to be active in the CQ World Wide RTTY DX contest. QSL via DK7AO.

THIS WEEKEND ON THE RADIO. CQ Worldwide RTTY DX Contest, NCCC FT4 Sprint, NCCC RTTY Sprint, NCCC CW Sprint Ladder, K1USN Slow Speed CW Test, Maine QSO Party, AGCW VHF/UHF Contest, Masonic SSB Lodges on the Air and the UBA ON 6-Meter Contest will certainly keep contesters busy this upcoming weekend.

The K1USN Slow Speed Test, QCX CW Challenge, ICWC Medium Speed CW Test, OK1WC CW Memorial, Worldwide Sideband Activity Contest, 222 MHz Fall Sprint, SKCC CW Sprint, Phone Weekly Test, A1Club AWT, CWops Test, Mini-Test 40,
Mini-Test 80 and the UKE ICC 80-Meter CW Contest are scheduled for September 25 to 27.

Please see September 2023 QST, page 70, and the ARRL Contest Calendar and WA7BNM Contest Web Sites for details.

These priorities will set the framework for the RSGB's activities over the coming months

Both HQ staff and volunteers across the range of RSGB teams will be involved in planning how best to implement these four priorities.

The RSGB 2023 Convention has a great speaker programme and there are also some fantastic forums to take part in.

Full information about the updated programme, speakers, the drop-in buildathon and the social scene are on the RSGB website

December is Youngsters on the Air (YOTA) Month and is an exciting opportunity for you, your club, school, or social group to host an amateur radio station with the aim of getting youngsters active on the amateur bands.

If you’d like to register your interest for YOTA month, or simply ask for further information, you can email Jamie, M0SDV at yota.month@rsgb.org.uk

The RSGB Learning Team are calling out for members to get involved in the development, implementation and relaunching of the new Discovery Challenge, which is a revamp of the Individual Scheme from the Beyond Exams initiative.

If you’d like to help out with these exciting changes, or would just like to share some ideas or feedback, you can contact the Beyond Exams Co-Ordinator Mark Burrows, 2E0SBM at be.coordinator@rsgb.org.uk

The following is a QST. Hams in Belgium gain new 8-metre access. Wideband communications gets tested above 100 GHZ -- and there's a new challenge facing the recovery of the wireless from the Titanic's wreckage. All this and more as Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2394 comes your way right now.

We begin this week with two developing stories: the aftermath of a 6.8 magnitude earthquake in Morocco on September 8th and deadly massive flooding in northeast Libya. According to reports from Region 1 of the International Amateur Radio Union, there was no apparent organized amateur radio deployment in Morocco where the quake death toll was reported to be in the thousands. The IARU continues to monitor the situation. Meanwhile, ham deployments were considered less likely in Libya, where floods from a storm left more than 5,200 dead. According to the IARU website, Libya does not have an active member amateur society. Newsline will update these stories as circumstances warrant.

(IARU REGION 1)

Despite their potential for use in communications, radio frequencies in the terahertz and sub-terahertz ranges - that is, those above 100 GHz - are considered underutilized. The United States Air Force is about to share its plans for a radio they are hoping could change all that. Kent Peterson KCØDGY tells us about it.

A project in the works in the US Air Force Research Laboratory is exploring the potential that radio frequencies above 100 GHZ have for secure wideband communications. The military is looking to develop an ultra-broadband radio that can adjust output power, data rate and even carrier frequency and are hoping to find defense contractors in the industry who can assist with the project.

Although frequencies in those ranges, which can be used for 6G communications, have a high level of atmospheric absorption that can restrict how far the transmissions travel, the military is hoping to capitalize on the frequencies' ability to accommodate secure channels. The Air Force is hosting an informational day for the industry next month and will be looking for defense contractors who are US citizens to get on board the project.

Early experiments have already proven successful, according to a report on the Inside Towers website. Last December, communication was achieved at frequencies higher than 300 GHZ during flight experiments by the Air Force, which has been exploring these options for almost a decade.

This is Kent Peterson KCØDGY.

(INSIDE TOWERS, MILITARY & AEROSPACE ELECTRONICS)

In the latest chapter surrounding controversial salvage operations at the wreckage of the Titanic, the US government is challenging a company's plans to recover the doomed ocean liner's wireless telegraph.

The planned recovery of the Marconi wireless telegraph from the wreckage of the doomed luxury liner Titanic is being blocked by the United States government, citing federal law and an agreement with Great Britain that the ship should be treated as a gravesite.

The salvage company RMS Titanic Inc., based in Georgia, had announced its plan to visit the wreck site next May to recover items - including the radio and telegraph used to send the distress call in 1912.

Attorneys for the U.S. government claim the expedition would violate a pact with Great Britain that classifies the wreckage as a memorial. The government also maintains that the salvage trip would violate protections that the US Congress granted the TItanic site. The RMS TItanic company has particular interest in the Marconi room, where messages in Morse Code were transmitted, signaling that the ship was damaged after striking an iceberg in the North Atlantic while enroute to New York from Southampton, England.

RMST, which had been granted salvage rights earlier by the court, told the Associated Press recently [quote] "The company will continue its work, respectfully preserving the memory and legacy of Titanic, her passengers and crew for the future generations." [endquote] The company plans to put the radio in an exhibit that tells the story of the lost liner. In May 2020, the court gave RMST permission to recover the radio because of its historical significance but the US government challenged the plans for the expedition that year. The expedition was called off.

This is Jack Parker W8ISH.

(ASSOCIATED PRESS)

There's new access on the 8M band for amateurs in Belgium. Jeremy Boot G4NJH tells us more.

Hams in Belgium have been given privileges on the 40 MHz band, joining radio operators in South Africa, Slovenia and Ireland with 8-metre access. The Belgian regulator informed the UBA, the Royal Belgian Amateur Radio Union, that hams with a Class A operating certificate, the HAREC licence, are granted the use of frequencies between 40.660 and 40.690 on a secondary basis. Operators' power is limited to 5 watts ERP and operating bandwidth cannot exceed 3 kHz. Hams will also be required to keep a log of all transmissions and must submit it to the regulator at year's end. The UBA had petitioned the BIPT some time ago to grant this limited portion of the band for amateurs' use and, following a period of consultation, anticipated that the regulator would favour it.

This is Jeremy Boot G4NJH.

(UBA WEBSITE, WIA)

A different kind of RF filter has just been introduced by a defence company in Sweden to assist in military communications. Again, here's Jeremy Boot G4NJH.

It is being called the Ultra-Lightweight Camouflage Screen-Frequency Selected Surface, and it introduces a new capability for soldiers' communications in the field. It is a filter that permits certain radio frequencies to pass through the mesh of a camouflage net protecting military vehicles. The surface, which is not yet in service, was introduced by the Swedish defence company Saab earlier this month.

Saab says that until now, camouflage nets' ability to reduce enemy sensors' detection of equipment has also prevented GPS signals and other communications passing through, jeopardizing soldiers who then must move out of camouflage cover to perform certain tasks. At times that has even meant sticking antennas through the mesh in order to transmit or receive signals.

Johan Jersblad, a Saab senior development engineer, told reporters that the surface functions as a low-pass filter, which allows transmitted or received signals to penetrate the camouflage screen but retains the screen's ability to be undetected by higher-frequency radar.

The surface was on display for visitors at the DSEI Defence Exhibition held in London from the 12th to the 15th of September.

This is Jeremy Boot G4NJH.

(DEFENCE NEWS)

So what do three sons of William Penn - founder of the state of Pennsylvania in the United States - have to do with a special event station being activated in the town of Reading [pronounced REDDING]? Mark Abramowicz NT3V has the story.

While history records William Penn as the man who established the American colony first known as Penn’s Woods and later Pennsylvania, it was his sons – Thomas, Richard and John - who laid out the first streets of the town of Reading, just north and west of Philadelphia.

The city is celebrating its 275th birthday this year thanks to the work of the Penn brothers.

On Saturday, Sept. 23rd, members of the Reading Radio Club will mark the occasion by activating the club’s call sign - W3BN - as a special event station.

Club members will put three HF stations on the air from the Reading area for a 12-hour-period to commemorate the town’s historic milestone.

Reading’s storied past includes the Reading Railroad, breweries, pretzel-making, and the first factory outlets.

It is also recognized as home to one of the nation’s most successful minor league baseball teams long associated with the Philadelphia Phillies.

But Reading is best known for its Pagoda, an actual reproduction of a Japanese structure, which was built atop Mount Penn overlooking Reading in the early 1900s.

The popular tourist attraction became a historic landmark and a symbol for the town.

There's more about the Reading Radio Club’s special event station and how you can get in on the fun at QRZ.com. Search for W3BN.

And check out the colorful certificate that will look great on the wall of your shack.

In Reading, Pennsylvania, I’m Mark Abramowicz, NT3V.

The popular online instruction program HamTestOnline may not be going out of business after all. The creator and owner of the company, John W1AI (W-ONE-AY-EYE) announced earlier this year that he was planning to retire and would be shutting the website unless a purchaser came forward to continue the license-exam coursework that John had begun. John announced in his most recent newsletter that several organizations have since expressed an interest and that he would be negotiating with one of them soon. He said it was his hope that HamTestOnline would be able to ultimately continue without interruption.

(HAMTESTONLINE)

A former director of the ARRL's Great Lakes Division has become a Silent Key. We hear about him from Stephen Kinford N8WB.

A radio amateur with a long history as an ARRL, club and Hamvention volunteer has become a Silent Key. Dave Coons, WT8W, died on the 2nd of September.

Throughout his long association with the ARRL he had served as vice director and director of the Great Lakes Division and was a Volunteer Examiner through the ARRL's VEC. Locally, Dave was a leader in the Ohio amateur radio community, serving as president, vice president and secretary of the Dayton Amateur Radio Association through the years. At Dayton Hamvention he was chairman of the Flea Market Committee and was on the Communications Committee. His volunteer spirit won him the Frank J. Kirkpatrick Memorial Award in 1993 from the Clark County Amateur Radio Association, where he was also a member.

Dave was a veteran of the Korean War and served in the United States Navy. He was a retired postmaster of the Miamisburg, Ohio post office.

Dave Coons was 92.

This is Stephen Kinford, N8WB.

(ARRL, DAYTON DAILY NEWS)

In India, amateur radio operators have helped a young mother locate her parents, ending 16 years of searching for one another. Jason Daniels VK2LAW brings us those details.

A 27-year-old woman in India who had been taken by a relative from her parents' home in West Bengal 16 years ago has ended her long search for her family with the help of local radio amateurs.

The West Bengal Radio Club was contacted by authorities and was able to make the reunion happen. The woman had been living in Rajasthan with her husband and three children.

According to a report by the Indo-Asian News Service, the husband told police he first encountered the woman as an 11-year-old girl alone and weeping at a railway station, asking where her parents had gone. A close relative had reportedly taken her from the home in the hopes of having her find a better life.

The husband told police recently that he took the young girl to his own home, where he was living with his mother at the time, and tried without luck to trace her family. He told police that the girl remained in the home but that she did not become his wife until much later - and that it was the wish of his dying mother that he marry her.

The news report said that the woman confirmed the man's story to the police, saying that her husband has treated her well.

The West Bengal Radio Club was able to make the necessary connections back in West Bengal after the authorities contacted them, providing photos and copies of an official government identity card. Ambarish Nag Biswas, VU2JFA, the club's secretary, told Newsline in a text message that after the hams located her family, mother and daughter were reunited on September 7th in a video call. He said that, upon seeing one another, both began crying.

This is Jason Daniels VK2LAW.

(DAIJIWORLD.COM, IANS, AMBARISH NAG BISWAS, VU2JFA)

Earlier this year, Newsline told listeners about a US radio station on the West Coast that had begun using AI to replicate the voice of a popular DJ by using something called RadioGPT. A channel in Germany has just taken that technology a few steps further. Here's Andy Morrison K9AWM with the details.

Artificial intelligence is now responsible for fulltime programming on Antenne Deutschland, which calls the format Absolut Radio AI. The DAB+ multiplex channel in north-central Germany is using Radio.Cloud, which the broadcaster has already been using in its online streaming version. The AI is capable of providing the on-air voice as well as scheduling the necessary breaks and other elements. The broadcaster's managing director told the RadioWorld.com website that they are hoping to eventually find a nationwide market for the programming.

This is Andy Morrison K9AWM.

(RADIOWORLD.COM)

In the World of DX, Sajid, VA3QY, is on the air as A22EW from Botswana from the 16th of September to the 8th of October. He will be on 20 through 10 metres and possibly 6m. QSL via eQSL.

Be listening for special callsigns during the 2023 Rugby World Cup hosted by France. The games will continue through to the 28th of October. The callsigns are TM23RBY, TM23RUGB and TM63RWC. See the QRZ.com pages for the individual calls for QSL details.

Don, M0CVZ is active holiday style as 6Y5DH from Jamaica, IOTA number NA-097, through to the 30th of September. He is using SSB on 40, 20, 17, 12 and 10 metres. See QRZ.com for QSL details.

(425 DX BULLETIN)

Our last story for this week is about family and the future of radio. For some amateurs who are old enough to know the joy of being grandparents, showing the grandkids another big joy - radio - makes for a natural combination, as we hear from Jim Meachen ZL2BHF.

On Sunday, the 1st of October, the magic hour will be 3 p.m. local time in New Zealand. The magic frequency will be 146.625 MHz -- and the magic combination for Peter Henderson, ZL1PX, will be the company of his grandsons, Alex and Dan, sitting with him in his radio shack. October 1st is Grandparents Day in New Zealand - so earlier this year, Peter, who is vice president of the Franklin Amateur Radio Club, thought that hams in ZL might make good use of that special occasion to pass on the joys of amateur radio to the very youngest generation. Amateurs throughout New Zealand will be getting on their local 2m repeaters to kick off the first Grandparents/Grandkids Net in each region. Peter will be using the callsign ZL1SA on his local repeater in the Auckland region. After everyone has checked in, the young and the young-at-heart will take turns sharing their best grandparent joke, best grandchild joke, stories about their grandmum or granddad - and so on.

Peter suggests starting the day by inviting the grandkids over for Sunday dinner first. Once the meal is done, it will be time for the net.
Ah, but what if you don't have a grandchild? No problem: Peter suggests that you borrow one!

This is a chance to create a memory and - as Peter says, who knows? Maybe even create the next generation of amateurs who, one day, will be grandparents sharing amateur radio with grandkids of their own.

This is Jim Meachen ZL2BHF.

(PETER HENDERSON, ZL1PX, WIA, NZART)

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, 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.

NEWSCAST CLOSE: With thanks to Amateur Radio Daily; Ambarish Nag Biswas, VU2JFA; ARRL; the BBC; CQ Magazine; Dayton Daily News; David Behar K7DB; 425DXNews; HamTestOnline; Indo-Asian News Service; New Zealand Amateur Radio Transmitters; Peter Henderson, ZL1PX; Radio World; Royal Belgian Amateur Radio Union; shortwaveradio.de; Wireless Institute of Australia; 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 2023. All rights reserved.

Keplerian Bulletin 69 ARLK069
From ARRL Headquarters
Newington, CT September 12, 2023
To all radio amateurs

Special thanks to AMSAT-NA (AMSAT.ORG) for the following Keplerian data.

Decode 2-line elsets with the following key:
1 AAAAAU 00 0 0 BBBBB.BBBBBBBB .CCCCCCCC 00000-0 00000-0 0 DDDZ
2 AAAAA EEE.EEEE FFF.FFFF GGGGGGG HHH.HHHH III.IIII JJ.JJJJJJJJKKKKKZ
KEY: A-CATALOGNUM B-EPOCHTIME C-DECAY D-ELSETNUM E-INCLINATION F-RAAN
G-ECCENTRICITY H-ARGPERIGEE I-MNANOM J-MNMOTION K-ORBITNUM Z-CHECKSUM

0 AO-07
1 07530U 74089B   23255.57843432 -.00000020 00000-0 16632-3 0 9990
2 07530 101.9560 242.8686 0011841 256.8661 213.2132 12.53666879234123
0 ISS
1 25544U 98067A   23255.77426676 .00021045 00000-0 38619-3 0 9994
2 25544 51.6402 254.6496 0005859 12.0943 169.2833 15.49204146415370
0 SO-50
1 27607U 02058C   23255.55063035 .00002340 00000-0 33671-3 0 9993
2 27607 64.5580 357.0397 0059751 206.3581 153.4480 14.77593021115133
0 AO-73
1 39444U 13066AE 23255.46647377 .00006784 00000-0 73501-3 0 9995
2 39444 97.6791 216.7773 0051851 347.0907 12.8979 14.87537763528617
0 XW-2A
1 40903U 15049E   23112.43632650 .18814400 25108-5 15498-3 0 9990
2 40903 97.0819 181.5568 0011783 175.5276 309.8044 16.51931608427640
0 IO-86
1 40931U 15052B   23255.31634782 .00001413 00000-0 10558-3 0 9992
2 40931   5.9984 184.5143 0012472 89.3726 270.7830 14.77349242430143
0 AO-91
1 43017U 17073E   23255.61179854 .00007471 00000-0 51031-3 0 9993
2 43017 97.6162 136.5176 0230431 139.9508 221.8958 14.87293718314176
0 PO-101
1 43678U 18084H   23255.61631082 .00002556 00000-0 24696-3 0 9991
2 43678 98.0350 41.4273 0008531 226.9357 133.1149 14.93736626265313
0 QO-100
1 43700U 18090A   23255.30111064 .00000135 00000-0 00000-0 0 9994
2 43700   0.0154 149.2558 0002480 59.5403 276.4530 1.00271661 17560
0 JO-97
1 43803U 18099AX 23255.42327907 .00006857 00000-0 52808-3 0 9998
2 43803 97.5673 315.8253 0013274 158.7534 201.4244 15.01891683260786
0 RS-44
1 44909U 19096E   23255.55137355 .00000039 00000-0 11361-3 0 9999
2 44909 82.5182 289.8990 0217056 343.0051 16.3857 12.79722402173339
0 XW-3
1 50466U 21131B   23255.57347385 .00000714 00000-0 24556-3 0 9995
2 50466 98.5483 336.8388 0003420 226.9860 133.1041 14.39041761 89928
0 IO-117
1 53106U 22080B   23248.51952417 -.00000003 00000-0 00000-0 0 9994
2 53106 70.1477 291.8088 0008558 171.6392 188.4412 6.42557127 26919
0 FO-118
1 54684U 22167C   23255.58738441 .00015542 00000-0 80552-3 0 9992
2 54684 97.5732 32.7518 0013225 37.3950 322.8200 15.16191084 41916

Keplerian bulletins are transmitted twice weekly from W1AW.

The next scheduled transmission of these data will be Friday, September 15, 2023, at 2330z on Baudot and BPSK31.

DX Bulletin 37 ARLD037
From ARRL Headquarters
Newington CT September 14, 2023
To all radio amateurs

This week's bulletin was made possible with information provided by JA2VBK, The Daily DX, 425 DX News, DXNL, Contest Corral from QST and the ARRL Contest Calendar and WA7BNM web sites. Thanks to all.

ROTUMA ISLAND, 3D2. Darren, VK4MAP is QRV as 3D2RAT until September 29. Activity is holiday style on 80 to 10 meters using SSB. QSL direct to home call.

ITU HQ, 4U_ITU. As part of WRC-23 Preparation, delegates are QRV as 4U1ITU in their spare time until the end of the month. Activity is on the HF bands.
QSL via operators' instructions.

TIMOR-LESTE, 4W. Satoshi, JH2EUV is QRV as 4W/JH2EUV from Dili until October 13. Activity is in his spare time on 80 to 6 meters. QSL to home call.

JAMAICA, 6Y. Don, M0CVZ is QRV as 6Y5DH until September 30. Activity is holiday style on 40 to 10 meters using SSB. QSL via LoTW.

BOTSWANA, A2. Sajid, VA3QY is QRV as A22EW until October 8. Activity is on 20 to 10 meters, and possibly 6 meters, using CW, SSB, FT8, and JS8.
QSL via KB2MS.

BALEARIC ISLANDS, EA6. Andreas, DK5ON is QRV as EA6/DK5ON from Mallorca Island, IOTA EU-004, until September 28. This includes being active from Lighthouse ARLHS BAL-010, WLOTA 1902. Activity is on 40 to 6 meters using CW, SSB, and various digital modes. QSL to home call.

ALAND ISLANDS, OH0. Operators PA2A, PE1NYQ, PG2K and PA0VHA will be QRV as OH0RY from Mellanon Island from September 17 to 30. Activity will be on the HF bands. This includes being an entry in the upcoming CQ World Wide RTTY DX Contest. QSL via operators' instructions.

CURACAO, PJ2. Gabor, HA3JB will be QRV as PJ2/HA3JB from September 16 to 26. Activity will be on 80 to 6 meters using CW, SSB, RTTY, and FT8. This includes being an entry in the upcoming CQ World Wide RTTY DX contest. QSL direct.

GREECE, SV. Members of the Salamis Radio Amateur Group will be QRV with special call SX480SNB from September 16 to 30 to commemorate the 480 BC Battle of Salamis. QSL on LoTW.

DODECANESE, SV5. Claudio, HB9OAU is QRV as SV5/HB9OAU from Karpathos Island, IOTA EU-001, until September 21. Activity is on 80 to 10 meters using CW, SSB, and FT8. QSL via LoTW.

EAST KIRIBATI, T32. Ken, KH6QJ is QRV as T32AZ from Kiritimati, IOTA OC-024, until October 17. QSL to home call.

PALAU, T8. Operators JR3QFB, JO3LVG and JM1LIG are QRV as T88JH, T88MK, and T88FM, respectively, from Koror Island, IOTA OC-009, until September 19. Activity is on 40 to 6 meters using CW and some SSB. QSL to home calls.

ICELAND, TF. George, K5KG and Charles, K1XX are QRV as TF/K5KG and TF/K1XX, respectively, until September 18. Activity is on the HF bands. They plan to be active as part of the TF3D Multi/Multi team in the Scandinavia Activity CW contest. QSL via LoTW.

MICRONESIA, V6. Look for V6Z, V63Z, V6AAA, V6WW, V63FM, V63OS, V63VB, and V63SX to be QRV from Weno Island, IOTA OC-011, from September 18 to 21. Activity will be on 160 to 6 meters using CW, SSB, and FT8. This includes a beacon active on 50150 kHz. QSL via operators' instructions.

PITCAIRN ISLAND, VP6. Meralda, VP6MW has been active on 10 meters using FT8 around 1600z. QSL via W0VTT.

INDIA, VU. Special event station AT2G20 is QRV until September 15 in honor of the multinational G20 meeting being held here. QSL via operators' instructions.

VIET NAM, XV. Greg, XV9BPO was active on 15 meters using CW around 1500z. QSL via EA5GL.

CHATHAM ISLANDS, ZL7. Holger, ZL3IO will be QRV as ZL7IO from September 16 to 29. Activity will be on 160 to 10 meters using CW, SSB, RTTY, FT8, and FT4. He plans to be active in the upcoming CQ World Wide RTTY DX contest. QSL via DK7AO.

THIS WEEKEND ON THE RADIO. ARRL 10 GHz and Up Contest, North American RTTY Sprint, NCCC FT4 Sprint, NCCC RTTY Sprint, NCCC Sprint CW Ladder, AGB NEMIGA 80-Meter Contest, K1USN Slow Speed CW Test, SARL VHF/UHF Digital Contest, Scandinavian Activity CW Contest, Texas QSO Party, Iowa QSO Party, QRP Afield, New Hampshire QSO Party, New Jersey QSO Party, Washington State Salmon Run, Wisconsin Parks on the Air, Feld Hell Sprint and the BARTG Sprint PSK63
Contest will keep contesters busy this upcoming weekend.

The Run for the Bacon QRP CW Contest, K1USN Slow Speed CW Test, ICWC Medium Speed CW Test, OK1WC CW Memorial, 144 MHz Fall Sprint, RSGB FT4 Contest, Worldwide Sideband Activity Contest, Phone Weekly Test, A1Club AWT, CWops Test, VHF-UHF FT8 Activity Contest, Mini-Test 40 and the Mini-Test 80 are scheduled for September 18 to 20.

Please see September 2023 QST, page 70, and the ARRL Contest Calendar and WA7BNM Contest Web Sites for details.

The RSGB 2023 Convention will be held this year from 13 to 15 October. It is an action-packed weekend of amateur radio and includes the AMSAT-UK Colloquium which will be held during the Convention again.

Find out more and take advantage of the earlybird booking price which is available until 14 September – go to the Convention web page.

As part of the RSGB’s commitment to the growth of amateur radio, Regional Representative David De La Haye, M0MDB will be giving a presentation at the RSGB Convention in which he will explain more about the Regional Team and how its members can support you to do amateur radio outreach in your local area.

National Coding Week runs from 18 September but the RSGB is dedicating the whole of September to a focus on amateur radio and coding.

If you’re planning an event let the RSGB know – email comms@rsgb.org.uk so we can share your stories and photos to inspire others!

The Buildathon has always been a popular feature of the RSGB Convention and this year it will be run as a drop-in session from 10.30am to 5pm on the Convention Saturday.

If you’re interested in running a Buildathon at your club or event, you will be able to chat to Regional Representative David De La Haye, M0MBD while you make your kit. David will also be doing a separate presentation in Lecture Room 4, immediately before the Buildathon, in which he will explain more about the Regional Team and how its members can support you to do amateur radio outreach in your local area and run Buildathons at your club or event. Go along to pick up some tips!

The following is a QST. The retail giant Radio Shack is poised for a US comeback. NASA will test transmissions using laser light -- and hams in Alabama mark a painful moment in American history. All this and more as Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2393 comes your way right now.

We begin this week with news that many hams around the United States have been waiting forever to hear: The beloved electronics retailer Radio Shack, is returning to the US marketplace under new ownership.

The Radio Shack name is coming back from a difficult history that ended its pervasive presence with more than 5,000 locations around the US. The company filed for bankruptcy twice under its previous ownership and only a handful of its franchised locations were able to maintain a market presence.

Now the brand's largest franchisee - the Unicomer Group, based in El Salvador - has acquired the company. Although they aren't sharing much yet about their plans, the vice president of franchises, Rudy Siman, released a statement saying: "This acquisition will allow us to start another phase of growth and innovation in the shopping experience with the latest technology."
Stay tuned!

(RETAIL INSIGHT NETWORK, THESTREET, FORBES)

If you've ever found yourself answering the question - "Ham radio? Do people still do THAT?" - the next story from Jim Meachen ZL2BHF will strike a familiar chord with you.

Organisers in India called it an Amateur Radio Awareness programme -- and as more than 250 attendees in West Bengal, India, soon found out, amateur radio is thriving and doing good work to help society. Held on the 1st of September at the Ramakrishna (Rama Krishna) Mission school on the west bank of the Hooghly River, the session devoted itself to the science and technology that brings amateur radio alive on the air. The programme also touched on the critical role ham radio plays during a disaster or acting as an informal social services agency assisting families and communities in crisis. This nontechnical portion of the presentation is particularly relevant to those at the mission, where the school focuses on humanitarian work in the community. Members of the West Bengal Radio, which has a long history of community service work with amateur radio communication, led the programme.

This is Jim Meachen ZL2BHF.

(AMBARISH NAG BISWAS, VU2JFA)

The US Space Agency is ready to shed new light on ways to supplement RF systems for communication. In this case, that light is laser light and the experiment is testing higher-bandwidth data transfer. Kent Peterson KCØDGY brings us up to date.

The mission is not NASA's first test of using optical communication technology instead of RF to transmit data, but it is an important move in making the technology part of regular space missions. A terminal known as ILLUMA-T will arrive on the International Space Station via a SpaceX Commercial Resupply mission where, once installed, it will send laser light through an optical telescope to the Laser Communications Relay Demonstration, or LCRD.

The LCRD is on board a US Defense Department satellite in a geosynchronous orbit 22,000 miles from Earth. It is capable of transmitting data, pictures and video at a rate of 1.2 gigabits per second -- a rate comparable to some optical-fiber internet connections. The LCRD has been on the satellite where it has been beaming data to ground stations in Hawaii and California.

NASA believes a successful demonstration of optical communications will provide an enhanced way to transfer information - and one day, perhaps spoken communication from the ISS - through a smaller, lighter system that also requires less power.

This is Kent Peterson KCØDGY.

(NASA, SPACE.COM)

In the US, emergency communicators are looking back on lessons learned from Hurricane Idalia, as we hear from Randy Sly W4XJ.

Just like winter snowflakes, no two hurricanes are alike, depending on size, wind speed, rainfall and travel speed, so activations by emergency personnel, including amateur radio operators, have to be flexible.

Last week’s Hurricane Idalia is a good case in-point. Bobby Graves, KB5HAV, manager of the Hurricane Watch Net, told AR Newsline, “Going into Idalia, knowing this was going to be a fast-moving hurricane, we did our best to line up, well ahead of projected landfall, reporting stations, storm shelters, and emergency operations centers. We were expecting this storm to remain at least a Category 1 Hurricane into South Carolina. After it was downgraded to a Tropical Storm, we changed gears and began calling for any Post-Storm Reports.”

One serious issue involved a very strong, wide signal causing interference on the upper end of 20 meters. The FCC later confirmed that it was Over-the-Horizon RADAR that originated outside the US and was not considered intentional.

ARES in Northern Florida, Georgia and South Carolina were also activated. HF operations linked counties to the state EOC in Florida and much of the emergency communications activity took place through the linked UHF repeaters of the Florida Statewide Amateur Radio Network.

This is Randy Sly, W4XJ

An amateur radio activation in Birmingham, Alabama, will be recalling a painful history lesson that rocked the United States 60 years ago. The callsign KØMIK will be on the air on September 15th and 16th from the Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument in Kelly Ingram Park, which has the POTA designation K-3602. The park is across the street from the 16th Street Baptist Church where on September 15th, 1963, while Sunday school children inside were hearing a lesson in "A Love that Forgives," the church was bombed. Four young women died that day. Their pictures are on the monument that stands facing the church. KØMIK is the callsign of the OMIK (PRON: O-MIKE) Amateur Radio Association, an international organization that is the largest predominately Black amateur radio association in the US. The activation will be primarily on 40, 20, 17 and 15m using CW, SSB, plus via satellites. Tom Gaines KB5FHK told Newsline that anyone living in or visiting the Birmingham area on those days is welcome to stop by the activation, which is also part of OMIK's (O-MIKE's) ongoing POTA challenge.

(THOMAS GAINES, KB5FHK; JIMMY EARL, WB5MET)

There's still time to get earlybird admittance if you're attending the Radio Society of Great Britain's annual convention, as we hear from Jeremy Boot G4NJH.

If you haven't already booked your attendance at the Radio Society of Great Britain's convention next month, you still have a few days to take advantage of earlybird pricing. Convention organisers have extended the deadline for special pricing to the 14th September.

Although experts will be presenting on a variety of topics, from RF electrical interference to radio astronomy, the keynote speaker is certain to draw most of the attention. He is Colonel John Doody, a retired oficer of the UK Royal Corps of Signals. He will share his vast knowledge on cryptography, cyber security and information assurance.

The convention will take place at Kents Hill Park Conference Centre in Milton Keynes from October 13th to the 15th.

Additional details are available at rsgb.org/convention

(RSGB)

Hams with disabilities who have received encouragement and training through the Courage Handiham Program have something to celebrate this month and Kevin Trotman N5PRE tells us why.

For 56 years, the Courage Handiham Program has worked with people who have disabilities, encouraging them to work toward their goal of becoming a licensed radio amateur. The special event callsigns WØZSW and WØEQO will be on the air on Monday, September 11th in a five-hour special event QSO party that is part of this year's Handiham Radio Camp. The operators will be marking the program's 56th anniversary by calling QRZ using CW and SSB on 10, 15, 20, and 40 meters. The hours of the QSO party will be from 1600 to 2100 UTC.

The callsign WØZSW was originally assigned to Rochester, Minnesota amateur, Ned Carman, W0ZSW, who helped bring the Handiham program into being, based on his work in a clinic with individuals who had severe physical disabilities. The callsign WØEQO is assigned to the program's Camp Courage North station and was originally used by the first Handiham station that provided remote HF access to amateurs who had no other way of getting on the air.

This is Kevin Trotman N5PRE.

(AMATEUR RADIO DAILY, COURAGE HANDIHAM)

The first class of young participants in a program based at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory are advancing as hams. Sel Embee KB3TZD has those details.

The program known as ‘Exploring the Electromagnetic Spectrum with Amateur Radio’ has inspired its first group of young participants to explore something else following 20 weeks of instruction at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory: They're planning to upgrade their Technician licenses to General. They are also joining various amateur radio clubs, as well as the ARRL, and engaging with a virtual amateur radio club on Discord.

The Observatory launched this two-year program for high school and college-age students with a grant from Amateur Radio Digital Communications to provide an educational outreach to members of the indigenous, people of color, and LGBTQIA communities. The observatory is preparing to receive its next group of students -- a total of 18 participants from across the United States.

As with the first group, those running the program are hoping the curriculum with its hands-on activities can be the entry point for many of the students toward later careers in the STEM fields -- and of course, a window into the rewards of being an amateur radio operator.

This is Sel Embee, KB3TZD.

(NATIONAL RADIO ASTRONOMY OBSERVATORY)

In Europe an amateur radio activation is honoring the legacy of a once-popular British pirate broadcast station. Jeremy Boot G4NJH brings us that story.

Long before the British pirate broadcast station Radio Caroline took to the airwaves from a boat off the Essex coast, there was Radio Luxembourg. Much to the displeasure of the BBC, the English-language service was launched 90 years ago and became one of Europe's most popular stations. According to some reports, the long and medium-wave broadcast of its programmes and its British presenters peaked at an estimated 78 million daily listeners before Radio Luxembourg went off the air in December of 1991.

Since July, amateur radio operators and shortwave listeners are hearing Radio Luxembourg again - this time symbolically, with the callsign LX 90 RTL . The station is on the air until the end of this year. Various ham radio operators throughout Luxembourg are calling QRZ to mark the anniversary of that first broadcast. They can be heard on the HF bands using CW, SSB and the digital modes. They can also be contacted via satellite.

The special event radio operators have been carefully listening too, especially when the QSOs trigger moments of nostalgia. The operators write on the station's page on QRZ.com: [quote] "Many of you told us about your memories and the great time listening to Radio Luxembourg, especially the great entertainment with the best music on the air over the years." [endquote]

The DARC bureau will confirm all QSOs automatically and logs are being uploaded to Club Log, Logbook of the World and eQSL.

This is Jeremy Boot G4NJH.

(QRZ.COM, RSGB, TODAY.RTL.LU)

If you have expertise in engineering, technology or other areas relevant to radio, there may be a seat for you on an FCC advisory body. Interested? Patrick Clark K8TAC explains how to apply.

If you work in broadcasting or have a background in science, engineering or technology, you may be interested in becoming a member of the FCC's Technological Advisory Council. The TAC provides guidance to the commission and looks into issues that could have an impact on emerging technologies. The council's input is expected to help in the creation of informed policies. Members will be expected to be able to weigh in on such concerns as spectrum-sharing techniques, 5G and artificial intelligence.

The term lasts two years and there are four council meetings a year, which are one-day sessions.

For other details or to submit a nomination send an email to TAC at fcc dot gov (TAC@fcc.gov.).

Nominations are being received until the 22nd of September. The council expects to meet in December.

This is Patrick Clark K8TAC.

(RADIO WORLD)

The inaugural Invictus Games were held in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London in 2014 as an international celebration of wounded members of the military achieving marking a triumph over their various challenges.

This year the games are taking place in the German city of Duesseldorf, cohosted by the German Federal Armed Forces.

As veterans and serving members of the military compete in archery, cycling, power lifting, swimming and other activities, amateur radio is also playing a big role in the arena. As the games begin, special event station DQ23IVG continues to be on the air, making contact to celebrate this triumph of the human spirit. More than 500 competitors have arrived from 21 nations and are competing in 10 disciplines. To recognize their achievements, hams are calling QRZ until the 16th of September. See QRZ.com for additional information.

(QRZ.COM)

In the World of DX, listen for Torsten, DL4APJ, and Udo, DL2AQI operating as MD/DL4APJ and MD/DL2AQI, respectively, from the Isle of Man, IOTA Number EU-116 on the 10th through the 19th of September. They will operate using CW, SSB and the digital modes on 80-10 metres. See QRZ.com for QSL details.

Listen for Randall, KD8JN/4, operating from Hatteras Island, IOTA Number NA-067, from the 10th to the 15th of September. He will be using CW and SSB on or around the usual IOTA frequencies. QSL via his home call.

Be listening for a team of radio operators from the Rebel DX Group who are using the callsign T22T from Tuvalu, IOTA Number OC-015, from the 21st of September to the 9th of October. The team will be on 160-6m using SSB and FT8 either in normal or fox-hound mode. Visit the QRZ.com page for T22T for further details.

(425 DX BULLETIN)

This week's final story looks at something that we cannot see -- but, of course, we're going to look at it anyway. Here's Ralph Squillace KK6ITB.

There is beauty in the unseen. Ask any ham radio operator who has sent voice, code or data into space with the hope that its path finds a receptive, friendly destination. It never fails to engage our imagination when the message arrives, undetected by the unassisted eye.

In the US, the roadmap of the FCC's frequency allocations is always evolving. One of its most recent printed versions has captivated a New York City ham radio operator, Jon Keegan, KE3GAN.

Early this year, Jon wrote about a large colorful poster on his blog, Beautiful Public Data, and called this roadmap [quote] "a crazy, beautiful chart." [endquote] Indeed, the multicolored poster is a painter's palette of the unseen spectrum from 9 kHz to 300 GHz. The multicolored poster is produced by the National Telecommunications Information Administration which, together with the FCC, manages radio frequency assignments for different users - among them, aviation, broadcast, satellite and ham radio. The US government printing office sells it for $6 in US currency.

Jon's blog reports that the chart of frequency allocations is also popular among US lawmakers who pass regulations that affect the spectrum and need to better understand its uses. The latest version of this chart, produced in 2016, is expected to be due for an update soon, according to an NTIA specialist who spoke with Jon. With changes in technology, it's possible that these many colors of the frequency allocation chart may change again -- and like the spectrum itself, it will surely be in ways that are as-yet unseen.

This is Ralph Squillace KK6ITB.

(BEAUTIFUL PUBLIC DATA blog)

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 pag e at arnewsline.org. If it's newsworthy and we would like to cover it, we'll get back to you for more details. Meanwhile, 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 - five syllables in the first line, seven in the second line, and five in the third.

NEWSCAST CLOSE: With thanks to Amateur Radio Daily; Ambarish Nag Biswas, VU2JFA; Beautiful Public Data blog; Courage Handiham; CQ Magazine; David Behar K7DB; 425DXNews; FCC; Forbes; Jimmy Earl, WB5MET; NASA; National Radio Astronomy Observatory; Radio Society of Great Britain; Radio World; Retail Insight Network; shortwaveradio.de; SPACE.com; TheStreet; 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 Neil Rapp WB9VPG in Union Kentucky saying 73. As always we thank you for listening. Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) is Copyright 2023. All rights reserved.

Keplerian Bulletin 68 ARLK068
From ARRL Headquarters
Newington, CT September 8, 2023
To all radio amateurs

Special thanks to AMSAT-NA (AMSAT.ORG) for the following Keplerian data.

Decode 2-line elsets with the following key:
1 AAAAAU 00 0 0 BBBBB.BBBBBBBB .CCCCCCCC 00000-0 00000-0 0 DDDZ
2 AAAAA EEE.EEEE FFF.FFFF GGGGGGG HHH.HHHH III.IIII JJ.JJJJJJJJKKKKKZ
KEY: A-CATALOGNUM B-EPOCHTIME C-DECAY D-ELSETNUM E-INCLINATION F-RAAN
G-ECCENTRICITY H-ARGPERIGEE I-MNANOM J-MNMOTION K-ORBITNUM Z-CHECKSUM

0 AO-07
1 07530U 74089B   23251.59091083 -.00000029 00000-0 10692-3 0 9994
2 07530 101.9555 238.8514 0011835 264.7032 216.5048 12.53666672233622
0 ISS
1 25544U 98067A   23251.64025354 .00010676 00000-0 19268-3 0 9991
2 25544 51.6416 275.1050 0005674 46.5741 103.9530 15.50302887414733
0 SO-50
1 27607U 02058C   23251.55741019 .00002061 00000-0 29892-3 0 9994
2 27607 64.5575   9.2860 0060265 207.1980 152.5964 14.77574357114544
0 AO-73
1 39444U 13066AE 23251.43042436 .00006518 00000-0 70704-3 0 9990
2 39444 97.6784 212.8700 0052332   0.4306 359.6947 14.87484167528014
0 XW-2A
1 40903U 15049E   23112.43632650 .18814400 25108-5 15498-3 0 9990
2 40903 97.0819 181.5568 0011783 175.5276 309.8044 16.51931608427640
0 IO-86
1 40931U 15052B   23250.59067432 .00001278 00000-0 87059-4 0 9999
2 40931   5.9986 218.2526 0012810 20.3608 339.7029 14.77342500429442
0 CAS-4B
1 42759U 17034B   23251.54863510 .00009123 00000-0 43902-3 0 9993
2 42759 43.0170 11.7574 0012393 280.5796 79.3657 15.18912914344306
0 CAS-4A
1 42761U 17034D   23251.56444712 .00009590 00000-0 46050-3 0 9992
2 42761 43.0161 10.1901 0013111 282.0967 77.8413 15.18932728344300
0 AO-91
1 43017U 17073E   23251.23855289 .00006323 00000-0 43368-3 0 9999
2 43017 97.6169 132.3172 0230294 154.3617 206.9235 14.87240219313520
0 PO-101
1 43678U 18084H   23251.53005205 .00001489 00000-0 14637-3 0 9998
2 43678 98.0348 37.2509 0008341 242.9987 117.0381 14.93720517264704
0 QO-100
1 43700U 18090A   23251.50316333 .00000132 00000-0 00000-0 0 9995
2 43700   0.0162 194.5881 0002351   9.7453 349.9251 1.00269444 17528
0 JO-97
1 43803U 18099AX 23251.42573929 .00005456 00000-0 42178-3 0 9994
2 43803 97.5678 311.9264 0012913 170.9733 189.1726 15.01841885260186
0 CAS-6
1 44881U 19093C   23251.51041600 .00001151 00000-0 14885-3 0 9994
2 44881 97.8568 328.5355 0015156 161.3460 198.8312 14.82729593201140
0 RS-44
1 44909U 19096E   23251.56419488 .00000018 00000-0 28935-4 0 9999
2 44909 82.5189 292.5494 0217215 352.3388   7.4411 12.79722340172820
0 XW-3
1 50466U 21131B   23251.54068026 .00000588 00000-0 20460-3 0 9999
2 50466 98.5484 332.8200 0003248 241.9562 118.1298 14.39035788 89347
0 IO-117
1 53106U 22080B   23248.51952417 -.00000003 00000-0 00000-0 0 9994
2 53106 70.1477 291.8088 0008558 171.6392 188.4412 6.42557127 26919
0 FO-118
1 54684U 22167C   23251.56143922 .00012017 00000-0 62593-3 0 9999
2 54684 97.5723 28.7358 0013471 51.0260 309.2170 15.16076142 41308

Keplerian bulletins are transmitted twice weekly from W1AW.

The next scheduled transmission of these data will be Tuesday, September 12, 2023, at 2330z on Baudot and BPSK31.

DX Bulletin 36 ARLD036
From ARRL Headquarters
Newington CT September 7, 2023
To all radio amateurs

This week's bulletin was made possible with information provided by N9GB, The Daily DX, 425 DX News, DXNL, Contest Corral from QST and the ARRL Contest Calendar and WA7BNM web sites. Thanks to all.

KENYA, 5Z. Rick, M0LEP is QRV as 5Z4/M0LEP and will be here during the month of September. Activity is on the HF bands. QSL via LoTW.

ALGERIA, 7X. Enrique, EA5AD is QRV as 7X0AD from Oran until September 14. Activity is on 40 to 10 meters using FT8 and FT4. QSL direct to home call.

BARBADOS, 8P. Greg, N9GB is QRV as 8P9GB until September 14. Activity is on 60 to 10 meters using CW and SSB. QSL via LoTW.

BOTSWANA, A2. Sajid, VA3QY plans to be QRV as A22EW until October 8. Activity is on 20 to 10 meters, and possibly 6 meters, using CW and SSB.
QSL via KB2MS.

CAPE VERDE, D4. Harald, DF2WO is QRV as D44TWO from Sao Tiago, IOTA AF-005, until September 17. Activity is on the HF bands and 6 meters using CW, SSB, and FT8, and on Satellite QO-100. QSL via M0OXO.

NORTH COOK ISLANDS, E5. Operators AA7JV, HA5YD, HA7RY and KN4EEI are QRV as E51D from Penrhyn Atoll until September 10. Activity is on 160 to 6 meters using CW, SSB, and FT8. QSL via HA7RY.

FRANCE, F. Special event station TM23RUGB will be QRV from Tonneins from September 10 to 13, next on September 21 to 24, and then on October 16 to 22, during the Rugby World Cup. Activity will be on the HF bands. QSL via F5KHG.

ISLE OF MAN, GD. Torsten, DL4APJ and Udo, DL2AQI will be QRV as MD/DL4APJ and MD/DL2AQI, respectively, from September 10 to 19. Activity will be holiday style on 80 to 10 meters using CW, SSB, and various digital modes. QSL to home calls.

MARIANA ISLANDS, KH0. Uli, DL2AH is QRV as KH0/DL2AH from Rota Island, IOTA OC-024, until September 14. Activity is on 80 to 6 meters using SSB and FT8. QSL direct to home call.

DODECANESE, SV5. Claudio, HB9OAU is QRV as SV5/HB9OAU from Karpathos Island, IOTA EU-001, until September 21. Activity is on 80 to 10 meters using CW, SSB, and FT8. QSL via LoTW.

EAST KIRIBATI, T32. Ken, KH6QJ is QRV as T32AZ from Kiritimati, IOTA OC-024, until October 17. QSL to home call.

PALAU, T8. Operators JR3QFB, JO3LVG and JM1LIG will be QRV as T88JH, T88MK, and T88FM, respectively, from Koror Island, IOTA OC-009, from September 12 to 19. Activity will be on 40 to 6 meters using CW and some SSB. QSL to home calls.

ICELAND, TF. George, K5KG and Charles, K1XX will be QRV as TF/K5KG and TF/K1XX, respectively, from September 11 to 18. Activity will be on the HF bands. They also plan to be active as part of the TF3D Multi/Multi team in the upcoming Scandinavia Activity CW contest. QSL via LoTW.

CORSICA, TK. Thomas, DL1ASA is QRV as TK/DL1ASA/p for the next few weeks. He will also try to be active from IOTA EU-164, various SOTA, WWFF, and various Lighthouse references. Activity is holiday style on the HF bands. QSL to home call.

BELIZE, V3. Uwe, DL8UD and Mark, DK8MM are QRV as V31KO and V31XT, respectively, until September 14. Activity is on the HF bands. They will be active as V3O in the Worked All Europe DX SSB contest. QSL V3O and V31KO via DL8UD, and V31XT via DK8MM

IRAQ, YI. Sam is now QRV with the new call sign YI1YY. Activity is on 40 to 10 meters using SSB. QSL via IK2DUW.

ALBANIA, ZA. Achim, DL1DAW is QRV as ZA/DL1DAW from Kallmet/Lezha until September 11. Activity is holiday style on 80 to 10 meters using CW and SSB. This includes an entry in the Worked All Europe DX SSB contest. QSL to home call.

THIS WEEKEND ON THE RADIO. ARRL September VHF Contest, ARRL EME Contest, Worked All Europe DX SSB Contest, North American CW Sprint, NCCC FT4 Sprint, NCCC RTTY Sprint, NCCC Sprint CW Ladder, K1USN Slow Speed CW Test, FOC QSO Party, YB7-DX Contest, SKCC Weekend CW Sprintathon, Ohio State Parks on the Air, Alabama QSO Party and the Russian Cup Digital Contest will certainly keep contesters busy this upcoming weekend.

The 4 States QRP Group Second Sunday Sprint, K1USN Slow Speed CW Test, ICWC Medium Speed CW Test, OK1WC Memorial, Worldwide Sideband Activity Contest, Phone Weekly Test, A1Club AWT, CWops Test, VHF-UHF FT8 Activity Contest, Mini-Test 40, Mini-Test 80 and the RSGB 80-Meter Autumn CW Series are all on tap this weekend.

Please see September 2023 QST, page 70, and the ARRL Contest Calendar and WA7BNM Contest Web Sites for details.

Have you just passed your Foundation licence? Or are you an established Foundation licence holder who is looking for a new challenge?

The following is a QST. Historic contact between 2 US missile silos. Big changes for hams in Australia -- and for one parachute mobile YL, the sky is no limit. All this and more as Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2392 comes your way right now.

Our top story takes a page right out of history. Two United States missile silos have made radio contact with one another for the first time since the 1960s. This time, however, it was a contact between civilians: they were hams on high alert for QSOs. Kent Peterson KCØDGY brings us the details.

The Atlas F Missile silo in Plattsburgh, New York, possessed the kind of military readiness in the 1960s that reflected an American nation poised for war. Among those sites decommissioned by the US military in 1965, one silo within a mile of the border with Canada showed a different kind of readiness on the 19th of August. On that day, the activation was for an amateur radio contact. Despite difficult band conditions, a successful QSO was logged - and it was with another deactivated missile silo, this one in Texas.

Members of the Champlain Valley Amateur Radio Club originally wanted to simply test the club's equipment - but after the club learned about a ham radio test scheduled that same day at a deactivated silo in Texas, they modified their plan.

The northern New York club's second vice president Matt Pray, W2UXE, told the Press-Republican website that all the hams decided to try for a contact between the two silos. Their effort delivered the brief but hoped-for result: Matt's call was logged in Texas by Robert Grabowski, KB5RG, at the Dyess Air Force Base in Texas

The day presented another link to history: Dick Somerset, a retired member of the US Air Force, was there in Plattsburgh. In the '60s, he had been a launch crew member stationed at the Dyess base in Texas and had also worked in Plattsburgh with the silos' Quality Control. More than a half-century later, he was pleased to see radio contact between the two silos - this time with peace in mind.

This is Kent Peterson KCØDGY.

(SUN COMMUNITY NEWS, PRESS-REPUBLICAN)

A launchpad in Florida has sent three more ham radio operators into space, as we hear from Paul Braun WD9GCO.

Three amateur radio operators were among the four-member crew aboard the spacecraft Endurance as it lifted off on the 26th of August from Florida's Kennedy Space Center. The launch of the Crew-7 mission launch was provided by SpaceX for NASA.

US astronaut Jasmin Moghbeli, KI5WSL, is the commander of the mission and the pilot is Andreas Enevold Mogensen, KG5GCZ, an ESA astronaut from Denmark. One of the two mission specialists is Satoshi Furukawa, KE5DAW, of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. Satoshi trained as a doctor in Japan, where he practiced as an anesthetist and surgeon. The trio is joined by another mission specialist, cosmonaut Konstantin Sergeyevich Borisov of Roscosmos.

This is the eighth commercial crew program launch for NASA and SpaceX. The crew is expected to be on board the International Space Station for about 190 days,

This is Paul Braun WD9GCO.

(CNN, AMSAT NEWS)

There are big changes ahead in Australia for operators and hams have until the end of this month to share their thoughts with the regulator. Graham Kemp VK4BB gives us the details.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority is seeking input on the new amateur radio qualification framework it intends to have in place in December, two months ahead of the February date when apparatus licences are to be replaced by the new class licence structure. The new class structure will also revoke overseas class licences and instead permit qualified amateurs visiting from overseas to operate.

University of Tasmania’s Australian Maritime College will no longer conduct exams or issue qualifications for the ACMA, which has said only that it will manage such work instead.

The authority seeks input as well on a new fee structure that includes the cost of recognition certificates and other payments associated with the licence process. The regulator's website calls these proposed fees "similar" to those already in place.

Comments are due by the 26th of September. For a list of fees and other details, visit the link in the text version of this week's Newsline script at arnewsline.org

This is Graham Kemp VK4BB.

A longtime broadcast engineer with a history of mentoring and supporting fellow amateur radio operators has become a Silent Key. William Culpepper, W4BZ, formerly W4PER, was devoted to amateur radio and was active in the Antique Wireless Association, the ARRL, the Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers and the Association of Federal Communications Consulting Engineers. On the professional side of radio, he worked with RCA, New Jersey Public Broadcasting and a variety of consulting firms, including the one he later founded, William Culpepper & Associates.

His death in July was reported on the website Radio World.com. William Culpepper was 90.

(RADIO WORLD)

In New Zealand, hams will be activating summits and remembering a devoted SOTA friend and colleague, as we hear from Jim Meachen ZL2BHF.

The sudden death of Andrew White, ZL3CC, in March of 2018 was a difficult loss for many of the amateur radio friends who had come to know the Christchurch operator through Summits on the Air and his SOTA activation blog. New Zealand hams are especially grateful that Andrew played a big role in establishing SOTA on the South Island. On May 1st, 2016, the day that the South Island officially became active in the SOTA programme, Andrew wrote happily on his blog and thanked the many friends on the team who helped make it happen.

Many of his radio friends set aside the closest Saturday to what would have been Andrew's birthday to hold Andrew White ZL3CC memorial day. This year it is on the 9th of September. It is a day of activation, summit-to-summit contacts when possible and then fellowship at a nearby cafe, often near the Banks Peninsula summits. Operators will be able to honour Andrew and work toward the ZL3 award at the same time.

It would no doubt please him to know that the South Island summits are still alive with RF.

This is Jim Meachen ZL2BHF.

If you've ever used Echolink and live anywhere in the world, you're invited to a special talk in Australia by the ham who created it - and you don't have to go to the airport. John Williams VK4JJW gives us those details.

Jonathan Taylor, K1RFD, who developed the Echolink, the Voice over Internet Protocol network for linking repeaters and amateurs, will be a guest of the Hunter Radio Group VK2AWX in Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia on the 14th of September. Echolink has a global reach of nearly one half a million amateur radio users.

For those who cannot attend the talk in person, Amateur Radio New South Wales will provide a link via Zoom, where Jonathan will deliver his talk remotely. Jonathan, a resident of Connecticut, was inducted into the CQ magazine Amateur Radio Hall of Fame in 2005. The programme will take place between 18:00 and 22:00 AEST

The Zoom link can be found on the arnewsline website at www.arnewsline.org

This is John Williams VK4JJW.

[DO NOT READ] Zoom Meeting link
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89884640439?pwd=OTFVTjFjM2tteUhNQmRuclp2RVpLZz09
Meeting ID: 898 8464 0439 Passcode: 898540

(WIRELESS INSTITUTE OF AUSTRALIA)

Whether you are an established amateur radio operator or simply thinking about becoming a ham, the doors are open to you in West Bengal as a major Indian radio convention kicks off this month. Jason Daniels VK2LAW brings us those details.

Amateurs from Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are expected to join conference attendees from all around India when the Pan-India Radio Convention takes place in West Bengal. The nationwide event is being held by the Open Source Classes for Amateur Radio, or OSCAR, and it is opening its doors to prospective hams as well as those who are longtime operators.

A number of classes will be taught during the weekend of September 23rd and 24th and candidates for an operators certificate will be given an opportunity to take the qualifying exam. Workshops will focus on equipment, signal propagation, digital modes and the latest technologies. There will also be fox hunting and CW contests.

According to a post on Facebook, this is the first Pan India amateur radio event to be held in East India in decades.

This is Jason Daniels VK2LAW.

(DEVDISCOURSE.COM, OSCAR)

Radio fans in the UK are raising their voices - and a petition - to convince the BBC to keep a longstanding favorite radio service. We hear about their efforts from Jeremy Boot G4NJH.

A petition drive has been launched to press the BBC to reverse its plans to take its longwave service on 198 kHz off the air by 31st March 2024. The BBC made the announcement in May 2022 that it was closing its longwave transmitter, describing it as a dying technology.

According to the petitioners on the Change.org website, the single longwave transmitter at Droitwich is efficient, covering most of the UK and northern Europe. It is viewed as one of the more historic features of the BBC, and its planned shutdown would come a mere six months before it marked its 90 years on the air. The Change.org petitioners called it [quote] "a historic radio lifeline." [endquote]

BBC Radio 4 has already begun a public information campaign to convince listeners to make the change from longwave to the broadcaster's other platforms. Those platforms are expected to carry many of the programmes now on Radio 4 Longwave, including Test Match Special, Yesterday in Parliament, Shipping Forecast and the Daily Church Service. The BBC has been following listeners' trend toward favouring digital radio and has acknowledged on its website that a wide range of alternative listening services have become available.

This is Jeremy Boot G4NJH.

(RADIO TODAY, CHANGE.ORG, SHORTWAVE LISTENING POST, BBC)

Congratulations to the National Radio Astronomy Observatory on the 30th anniversary of the inauguration of one of the world's most high-precision radio telescopes: The Very Long Baseline Array of the National Science Foundation. The array of 10 radio antennas operates remotely from New Mexico and has been collecting data on galaxies, tracking black holes' and pulsars movements and looking inward at the planets in our own solar system. The array's stations have been set up in areas such as Fort Davis, Texas; Los Alamos, New Mexico and Brewster, Washington, among other locales -- all chosen for having very low levels of radio interference.

(NATIONAL RADIO ASTRONOMY OBSERVATORY)

In many countries this time of year September means it's back-to-school season. That's true for hams too, as we learn from Andy Morrison K9AWM.

School is in session at the QSO Today Academy and the virtual doors open on September 8th. The three-day intensive learning environment is the outgrowth of six virtual Ham Expo conventions organized by Eric Guth 4Z1UG, starting in August of 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic took hold. The academy will feature a mix of live and pre-recorded sessions and will include a searchable library of the previous ham expos. Presentation topics include SOTA; the 10 worst antennas for amateur radio; how to chase the RAC Portable Operating Challenge award; tips for purchasing a transceiver; and a discussion about the ICQPodcast's Digital Voice Project. There are additional sessions on antennas, operating aids and, not surprisingly, even AI (Ayyy Eye) gets mentioned in the virtual classroom.

Participate in any of the live presentations from anywhere in the World . Tuition is $15. For details, visit www.qsotodayhamexpo.com

This is Andy Morrison K9AWM.

(QSO TODAY)

In the World of DX, be listening for Greg, N9GB, operating holiday style as 8P9GB from Barbados, IOTA number NA-021) from the 8th to the 15th of September. He will be on 60-10 metres and possibly 6 metres. During the local afternoon hours he will be on SSB; in the evenings he will operate on CW. See QRZ.com for QSL details.

Listen for Harald, DF2WO, operating as D44TWO from Sao Tiago, (IOTA number AF-005), Cape Verde from the 2nd to the 17th of September. He will be using CW, SSB and FT8 on the HF bands and 6 metres. He will also operate via the QO-100 satellite. See QRZ.com for QSL details.

The special callsign VI7ALARA is active on the HF bands until the 8th of November, commemorating the Australian Ladies Amateur Radio Association's meeting to be held in Hobart, Tasmania. The callsign is being operated by a number of YLs in Tasmania and throughout Australia. See QRZ.com for more details.

Be listening as well for Amateur Radio Newsline's own Ed DD5LP, operating as 5B/VK2JI from the island of Cyprus, IOTA Number AS-004, from the 11th to the 16th of September. Ed will be operating low-power SSB, mostly on 40 and 20 metres, holiday style. He hopes to activate a number of SOTA and HEMA summits as well as some POTA parks. QSL to his home call.

(425DX BULLETIN, ED DURRANT DD5LP)

We end this week's report with a love story. We ask: Just how far would you leap for someone you love? And...would you remember to take along your radio? Jim Damron N8TMW tells us how one woman answered those questions at the Huntsville Hamfest.

The first time Ranae KR5SIX fell for Vern KV5SIX, was more than 22 years ago. The two native Texans, spirited adventure-seekers, discovered they were on the same frequency. They eventually married, had travel adventures together and returning home after a stay in Guatemala, they embraced more adventure by becoming amateur radio operators.

Just a few weeks ago, Ranae fell for her husband all over again - but this time it was at Skydive Alabama during the Huntsville Hamfest. To be precise, Ranae fell 14,000 feet from an airplane, going 130 miles an hour. Accompanying her on the earthbound trip - her first ever - was an HT tuned to 2 metres and veteran ham radio skydiver and family friend, Carlos Felix, KD9OLN. Jumping in tandem, Carlos was helping her fulfill her husband's dream. Vern had hoped one day to complete his 15th parachute mobile mission but serious injuries in a fly-fishing accident more than three years ago ended that plan. Encouraged recently by other YouTube channel creators at a party in Huntsville, Ranae told Vern: I'll do it for you. In fact, Vern was the first of the three radio contacts she made.

Her next mission: Training with Carlos to prepare to jump solo in Dayton - just in time for Hamvention 2024.

Meanwhile, you can see Ranae's parachute mobile in the video on their YouTube channel "What's Up with Six." She's smiling the whole way down. Carlos told Newsline [quote] "That smile is one of the most radiant smiles I have seen in skydiving." [endquote]

This is Jim Damron N8TMW.

(CARLOS FELIX, KD9OLN; VERN SIX KV5SIX)

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 pag e at arnewsline.org. If it's newsworthy and we would like to cover it, we'll get back to you for more details. Meanwhile, 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.

NEWSCAST CLOSE: With thanks to Amateur Radio Daily; the BBC; Carlos Felix, KD9OLN; Change.org; CQ Magazine; David Behar K7DB; DeviDiscourse.com; 425DXNews; Facebook; FCC; National Science Foundation; Press-Republican QRZ.COM; QSO Today; Radio Today; Radio World; Shortwave Listening Post; shortwaveradio.de; Sun Community News; Vern Six, KV5SIX; Wireless Institute of Australia; 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 Skeeter Nash N5ASH in Shelbyville, Tennessee saying 73. As always we thank you for listening. Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) is Copyright 2023. All rights reserved.

Keplerian Bulletin 66 ARLK066
From ARRL Headquarters
Newington, CT September 1, 2023
To all radio amateurs

Special thanks to AMSAT-NA (AMSAT.ORG) for the following Keplerian data.

Decode 2-line elsets with the following key:
1 AAAAAU 00 0 0 BBBBB.BBBBBBBB .CCCCCCCC 00000-0 00000-0 0 DDDZ
2 AAAAA EEE.EEEE FFF.FFFF GGGGGGG HHH.HHHH III.IIII JJ.JJJJJJJJKKKKKZ
KEY: A-CATALOGNUM B-EPOCHTIME C-DECAY D-ELSETNUM E-INCLINATION F-RAAN
G-ECCENTRICITY H-ARGPERIGEE I-MNANOM J-MNMOTION K-ORBITNUM Z-CHECKSUM

0 AO-07
1 07530U 74089B   23244.49584382 -.00000031 00000-0 93528-4 0 9997
2 07530 101.9543 231.7039 0011833 278.6553 234.6596 12.53666639232736
0 ISS
1 25544U 98067A   23244.67817156 .00012513 00000-0 22577-3 0 9994
2 25544 51.6433 309.6089 0005181 21.3540 129.4993 15.50133155413654
0 SO-50
1 27607U 02058C   23244.45071642 .00001962 00000-0 28557-3 0 9999
2 27607 64.5552 31.0812 0061200 208.6904 151.0829 14.77544558113498
0 AO-73
1 39444U 13066AE 23244.36702070 .00005893 00000-0 64064-3 0 9998
2 39444 97.6781 206.0341 0053158 23.5712 336.7923 14.87399990526962
0 XW-2A
1 40903U 15049E   23112.43632650 .18814400 25108-5 15498-3 0 9990
2 40903 97.0819 181.5568 0011783 175.5276 309.8044 16.51931608427640
0 IO-86
1 40931U 15052B   23244.17721744 .00001296 00000-0 89435-4 0 9999
2 40931   5.9995 264.0472 0013529 290.6121 69.2556 14.77334598428493
0 CAS-4B
1 42759U 17034B   23244.57777556 .00009211 00000-0 44486-3 0 9998
2 42759 43.0151 50.5936 0012093 240.5298 119.4345 15.18777893343245
0 CAS-4A
1 42761U 17034D   23244.52791053 .00010355 00000-0 49831-3 0 9994
2 42761 43.0148 49.3924 0012821 240.8732 119.0834 15.18791935343233
0 AO-91
1 43017U 17073E   23243.97186932 .00005446 00000-0 37602-3 0 9992
2 43017 97.6183 125.3364 0229907 178.3709 181.8310 14.87150682312447
0 PO-101
1 43678U 18084H   23244.56324059 .00002035 00000-0 19796-3 0 9993
2 43678 98.0338 30.1307 0008161 269.3227 90.7057 14.93697555263667
0 QO-100
1 43700U 18090A   23244.26545667 .00000128 00000-0 00000-0 0 9999
2 43700   0.0127 123.0926 0002578 71.5874 266.8461 1.00272931 17458
0 JO-97
1 43803U 18099AX 23244.42975361 .00005606 00000-0 43425-3 0 9995
2 43803 97.5693 305.1034 0012141 194.6655 165.4219 15.01761365259133
0 CAS-6
1 44881U 19093C   23244.49198332 .00001135 00000-0 14691-3 0 9995
2 44881 97.8577 321.6393 0014601 183.8867 176.2236 14.82712815200109
0 RS-44
1 44909U 19096E   23244.44982072 .00000038 00000-0 10678-3 0 9998
2 44909 82.5201 297.2777 0217517   8.9857 351.5039 12.79722276171917
0 XW-3
1 50466U 21131B   23244.51802324 .00000637 00000-0 22068-3 0 9996
2 50466 98.5492 325.8215 0003072 270.3347 89.7489 14.39026984 88337
0 IO-117
1 53106U 22080B   23241.35995544 -.00000003 00000-0 00000-0 0 9997
2 53106 70.1509 294.2974 0008593 172.8952 187.1830 6.42557086 26453
0 FO-118
1 54684U 22167C   23244.56487158 .00012849 00000-0 67232-3 0 9991
2 54684 97.5725 21.7574 0013832 73.8525 286.4229 15.15894373 40246

Keplerian bulletins are transmitted twice weekly from W1AW.

The next scheduled transmission of these data will be Tuesday, September 5, 2023, at 2330z on Baudot and BPSK31.

DX Bulletin 35 ARLD035
From ARRL Headquarters
Newington CT August 31, 2023
To all radio amateurs

This week's bulletin was made possible with information provided by PY2KP, The Daily DX, 425 DX News, DXNL, Contest Corral from QST and the ARRL Contest Calendar and WA7BNM web sites. Thanks to all.

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO, 9Q. Vlad, OK2WX is QRV as 9Q2WX until September 9. Activity is on 80 to 6 meters using CW, SSB, and various modes. QSL via IZ8CCW.

CAPE VERDE, D4. Harald, DF2WO will be QRV as D44TWO from Sao Tiago, IOTA AF-005, from September 2 to 17. Activity will be on the HF bands and 6 meters using CW, SSB, and FT8, and on Satellite QO-100. QSL via M0OXO.

NORTH COOK ISLANDS, E5. Operators AA7JV, HA5YD, HA7RY and KN4EEI are QRV as E51D from Penrhyn Atoll until September 10. Activity is on 160 to 6 meters using CW, SSB, and FT8. QSL via HA7RY.

CANARY ISLANDS, EA8. Marc, DL1BU will be QRV as EA8/DL1BU from Gran Canaria, IOTA AF-004, from September 3 to 17. Activity will be holiday style on the HF bands. QSL to home call.

MARIANA ISLANDS, KH0. Uli, DL2AH is QRV as KH0/DL2AH from Rota Island, IOTA OC-024, until September 14. Activity is on 80 to 6 meters using SSB and FT8. QSL direct to home call.

BELGIUM, ON. Special event station OO35ATH is QRV during the month of September to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Radio Club de Ath. QSL via operators' instructions.

DENMARK, OZ. Mike, DG5LAC is QRV as OZ/DG5LAC from Romo Island, IOTA EU-125, until September 13. Activity is on the HF bands using FT8, FT4, and some SSB. QSL via LoTW.

CURACAO, PJ2. Jeff, K8ND is QRV as PJ2ND from Signal Point until mid-October. Activity is on 160 to 10 meters using CW and SSB. He may be active as PJ2T in upcoming contests. QSL PJ2ND via K8ND and PJ2T via KU9C.

BRAZIL, PY. Members of the Liga de Amadores Brasileiros de Radio Emissao will be QRV with special event call sign ZV201ID from September 3 to 9 to mark the 201st anniversary of the independence of Brazil. QSL via LoTW.

CRETE, SV9. John, SV9CJO is QRV as special event station SV9/J43ND during all of September representing a social action against drugs. QSL via LoTW.

EAST KIRIBATI, T32. Ken, KH6QJ is QRV as T32AZ from Kiritimati, IOTA OC-024, until October 17. QSL to home call.

COSTA RICA, TI. Members of The Radio Club of Costa Rica are QRV with special call sign TI0RC during September to celebrates the club's 70th anniversary.
QSL via LoTW.

MARSHALL ISLANDS, V7. Bob, N7XR plans to be QRV as V73XR from Kwajalein, IOTA OC-028, beginning in September and active for three months.
QSL via Club Log.

AUSTRALIA, VK. A large group of operators are QRV with special call sign VI7ALARA until November 8 to mark the Australian Ladies Amateur Radio Association's meeting in Hobart. Activity is on the HF bands. QSL via Club Log.

PITCAIRN ISLAND, VP6. Meralda, VP6MW is generally active on 17, 15, 12, and 10 meters using FT8 between 2130 and 2300z. QSL via W0VTT.

THIS WEEKEND ON THE RADIO. The All Asian DX Phone Contest, IARU Region 1 SSB Field Day, RSGB SSB Field Day, Russian World Wide RTTY Contest, INDEXA Worldwide QSO Party, QRP 20 Meter CW Fox Hunt, NCCC FT4 Sprint, NCCC RTTY Sprint, NCCC CW Sprint Ladder, K1USN Slow Speed CW Test, CWOps CW Open, Wake-Up QRP CW Sprint, SARL Field Day Contest, Colorado QSO Party, IARU Region 1 145 MHz Contest, AGCW Straight Key CW Party, PODXS 070 Club Jay Hudak Memorial 80-Meter Sprint, WAB 144 MHz QRO Phone and the Tennessee will keep contesters busy this upcoming weekend.

The K1USN Slow Speed CW Test, ICWC Medium Speed CW Test, OK1WC Memorial, RSGB 80-Meter SSB Autumn Series, MI QRP Labor Day CW Sprint, ARS Spartan CW Sprint, Worldwide Sideband Activity Contest, Phone Weekly Test, A1Club AWT, CWops Test, VHF-UHF FT8 Activity Contest, Mini-Test 40 CW, Mini-Test 80 CW and the UKEICC 80-Meter Contest are all on tap for September 4 to 6.

Please see September 2023 QST, page 70, and the ARRL Contest Calendar and WA7BNM Contest Web Sites for details.

This page will be regularly updated to reflect Club News and Activities and both UK and World News Items deemed to be of interest to members. If you have an announcement which you think would interest Club members and would like it mentioned here, please send details to:- webmaster@wadarc.com