Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2427 for Friday May 3rd, 2024 Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2427 with a release date of Friday, May 3rd, 2024 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1. The following is a QST. Hand-hand communication faces a ban in Pennsylvania. A respected figure in amateur radio publishing becomes a Silent Key -- and two countries mark the centennial of a historic, record-breaking ragchew. All this and more as Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2427 comes your way right now. ** BILLBOARD CART ** PROPOSED PENNSYLVANIA DISTRACTED-DRIVING LAW WORRIES HAMS STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Our top story takes us to Pennsylvania, which is hoping to become the next state in the US to ban most drivers from using hand-held wireless devices while on the road. The bill is stirring emotions in a worried ham radio community, as we hear from Sel Embee KB3 T Zed D. SEL: The Pennsylvania State Senate is poised to consider a measure that would prohibit motorists' use of hand-held communication devices, especially cellphones. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Rosemary Brown, passed in the state House of Representatives in early April. The other house of the state Assembly - the Senate - is its last stop before the governor's desk, where it would become law once signed. The bill does contain some exemptions: handhelds' use is permitted, for example, by emergency responders. According to several reports, amateur radio was also exempted in the original language of the bill but was later removed in the House Transportation Committee. Miles A. Wicker, Jr., W3ICK, the ARRL's Pennsylvania State government liaison, told Newsline in an email that the bill, known as SB 37, remains a "hot topic" among amateurs throughout the state. He said he reached out to Nolan Ritchie, executive director of the Senate transportation committee to explain that without an amateur radio exemption, the impact on hams would be damaging, especially for those involved in emergency communications. Miles told Newsline: [quote] "He thanked me for providing the information and stated that they are working toward a resolution...As of today, this is where we sit." [endquote] Meanwhile, Senator Brown's office did not immediately respond to an email and phone call from Newsline. This is Sel Embee KB3TZD. (MILES A. WICKER, W3ICK, TIMES LEADER) ** SILENT KEY: CQ MAGAZINE PUBLISHER DICK ROSS, K2MGA STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Amateur Radio Newsline shares the deep sorrow of our colleagues at CQ magazine, who have announced that the magazine's publisher has become a Silent Key. We hear more about him from Don Wilbanks, AE5DW. DON: Richard "Dick" Ross, K2MGA, who became publisher of CQ magazine in 1979 after serving as its editor in the 1960s, became a Silent Key on Saturday April 27th. His achievements in the amateur radio publishing universe were many: As president of CQ Communications Inc., he published a number of magazine titles, including Popular Communications, CQ VHF, CQ Contest, WorldRadio Online, Communications Quarterly CB Radio, Electronic Servicing and Technology, Modern Electronics, MicroComputer Journal and the Music and Computer Educator. He also oversaw production and publication of CQ books and calendars as well as the CQ video library. Dick was a friend to Newsline and we could always count on CQ magazine's support of Newsline's Bill Pasternak Memorial Young Ham of the Year Award. In 2010, Dick was honored at Dayton Hamvention where he received the Special Achievement award. We at Newsline express our sympathy to Dick's family and his CQ colleagues. We are all grieving with you. As Newsline went to production, it was not known what plans would be made for CQ magazine's future. A memorial service will be scheduled for Dick sometime later. Dick was 84. This is Don Wilbanks AE5DW. (CQ MAGAZINE) ** SILENT KEY: JOHN HAYS, K7VE, ARDC'S OUTREACH MANAGER STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Our sympathies go out as well to Amateur Radio Digital Communications on the loss of John Hays, K7VE. John, who served ARDC as its outreach manager, became a Silent Key in late April. ARDC said in a statement on its website: [quote] "He took us from an unheard-of foundation to one that routinely receives hundreds of grant applications each year." [endquote] Licensed since 1973, John was a founding member of numerous ham radio organizations and served as a Volunteer Examiner. (ARDC) ** RESEARCHER SAYS SATELLITES IMPERIL MAGNETOSPHERE STEPHEN/ANCHOR: A researcher in Iceland is calling satellites a hazard to the protective shield around Earth known as the magnetosphere. We have details from Jeremy Boot G4NJH. JEREMY: A research paper by an American physicist has been stirring concern about the impact of satellite re-entries on the Earth's magnetosphere. The scientist, Sierra Solter-Hunt, a doctoral candidate at the University of Iceland, writes that magnetic dust generated at the time of satellite re-entry could eventually destroy the planet's protective shield - a concern accelerated in recent years by the proliferation of commercial satellite mega-constellations such as the Starlink network. An article on the space.com website notes that although meteors are also known to burn up as they enter our atmosphere, their makeup is not the same as the man-made satellites. Several media reports say that the research paper's theory has been questioned by other scientists who nevertheless agree that the impact of satellites burning up upon re-entry does require further study. Sierra Solter-Hunt told space.com that she is grateful there has been such a robust response. She said: [quote] "I wanted to get the conversation started." [endquote] This is Jeremy Boot G4NJH. LIVE SCIENCE, WIA, AMSAT NEWS SERVICE, SPACE.COM) ** FCC PROPOSES $850,000 TOTAL FINES, CHARGING SIX WITH PIRACY STEPHEN/ANCHOR: The FCC is taking action against more radio stations it claims engaged in unlicensed operation. Andy Morrison K9AWM brings us up to date. ANDY: Six broadcast radio stations in Massachusetts have been charged with piracy by the US Federal Communications Commission, which is proposing to levy a total of $850,000 in fines against them. The stations, along with seven operators who are said to be unlicensed, were identified as part of a sweep by enforcement agents in the Boston metropolitan area. The agents from the New York and Boston field offices conducted the investigations under the PIRATE Act, which gives the FCC increased ability to act against pirate broadcasters by authorizing fines of as much as $100,000 per violation up to a total of $2 million. The US Department of Justice is responsible for enforcement and collection of the fines The PIRATE Act, which became law in 2020, is an acronym for Preventing Illegal Radio Abuse Through Enforcement.. This is Andy Morrison K9AWM. (RADIO WORLD, FCC) ** NOMINATE OUR NEXT YOUNG HAM OF THE YEAR STEPHEN/ANCHOR: It's May and that brings us closer to the deadline for this year's Bill Pasternak Memorial Young Ham of the Year award. Let Newsline know of any promising young amateurs who are deserving of this honor. Candidates must live in the continental United States and be 18 years of age or younger. Tell our judges about your nominee's talent, promise and commitment to the spirit of ham radio. This is your chance to help honor and acknowledge that person who will, no doubt, go on to teach and inspire others. Find the nomination form on our website arnewsline.org under the "AWARDS" tab. Nominations close on May 31st. ** MARKING A 100-YEAR-OLD RAGCHEW THAT MADE HISTORY STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Two CW ops made history 100 years ago this month - one in Argentina and the other in New Zealand. That's cause for celebration as we learn from Jim Meachen ZL2BHF. JIM: The two-hour ragchew between the ham in Argentina and the ham in New Zealand was one for the history books as well as the log books -- and indeed, that's just where that contact has been recorded. The CW contact between Carlos Braggio (BRAJ-EE-OH), CB8, and Ivan O'Meara, 2AC, took place on May 22nd, 1924, setting a world distance record. The fact that the 7,000-mile chat was on 130 metres stunned scientists who believed that such a frequency could never support long-distance radio. The New York Times headline shouted to the world: [quote] "Radio amateurs talk 7,000 miles for 2 hours; Argentinian and New Zealander Establish What Is Declared a Record for Non-Professionals." Starting on the 18th of May, that history, as recorded by NZART historian Craig Crawford, ZL3TLB, is being celebrated. the New Zealand Amateur Radio Transmitters and the Radio Club Argentina are marking the centenary of this record-setting contact. Many Argentinian amateurs will be signing on the air with the prefix of "L" followed by a number, hoping to exchange greetings with hams in New Zealand. The NZART branch in Gisborne, where Ivan had his QTH, will host an open house celebration, also on the 18th of May, at their radio room at the Eastern Institute of Technology. For the rest of the month, hams from the Gisborne branch will be on the air using the callsign ZL1ØØAC (Z L one hundred AC). Even if there are no two-hour ragchews, no doubt hams will have plenty to talk about. This is Jim Meachen ZL2BHF. (CRAIG CRAWFORD, ZL3TLB) ** BREAK HERE; Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the K6PVR repeater in Ventura, California on Sundays at 6:30 p.m. local time. ** VETERAN DXPEDITIONER JOINS JARVIS ISLAND N5J TEAM NEIL/ANCHOR: A veteran Dxpeditioner has joined the team that will be calling N5J from Jarvis Island. Travis Lisk N3ILS has those details. TRAVIS: The Jarvis Island DXpedition, N5J, has added a veteran DXpeditioner to the team, whose plans include remote operation from this environmentally sensitive Pacific island location. The Dateline DX Association announced the addition of Adrian, KO8SCA, as a result of growing interest in the trip to this rare DXCC entity, which recently got the green light from the US Fish & Wildlife Service in Hawaii. According to the April 17th announcement, Adrian's talents as an IT consultant will be a major asset for the remote operation. Adrian, a YASME Award of Excellence recipient, was recently inducted into the CQ DX Hall of Fame. The DXpedition, which is planned for August, has been raising money for the trip and was recently given a $75,000 grant from the Northern California DX Foundation. This is Travis Lisk N3ILS. (DX-NEWS.COM) ** KIDS ON THE AIR MAKES ITS HAMVENTION DEBUT STEPHEN/ANCHOR: The new kids in town at the Xenia Fairgrounds in Ohio really ARE the new kids in town. A fledgling initiative known as Kids on the Air is making its Hamvention debut with a booth in the flea market - and bringing an important message with them. Jack Parker W8ISH tells us what it's all about. JACK: Jackson, K6KUK, is returning to Hamvention this year but this time he's not just a visitor. He'll be accompanied by friends who helped in the creation of an initiative last November that provides young hams with a global community: Kids on the Air. The US team members of this international group are looking to expand on Jackson's original concept that he first launched on SnapChat as the GenZHams (Gen Zee Hams) Amateur Radio Club, a social circle for young licensed amateurs. By the time two dozen or so young amateurs had come on board, the teens made the effort even more public by setting up a Discord server and welcoming new members. Jackson began to brainstorm with Jeff, K4JXX, Nick, KE2BDP and Jackson, KQ4INX, building ideas for other activities, including an Elmer program they're developing as the KOTA curriculum. There is also a multi-mode digital platform called KOTALINK in the works. Two hams in Australia joined the effort last December. With the help of Ed, VK1AAK, and Finn VK4ULA, an activation system known as KOTA - patterned after POTA and SOTA - is now under development. Jackson told Newsline he invites visitors to the KOTA booth at Hamvention Meanwhile, for more details about KOTA, visit the website using the link in the text version of this week's script. [DO NOT READ: https://kidsontheair.org/ ] This is Jack Parker W8ISH. (KIDS ON THE AIR) ** NETS OF NOTE: THE EAST COAST REFLECTOR YOUTH NET STEPHEN/ANCHOR: As part of Newsline's occasional series, Nets of Note, we take a look this week at a net that was created by - and for - youngsters to open the door to the amateur radio experience. Dave Parks WB8ODF tells us about it. DAVE: An electrifying dance by three animated figures greets visitors to the web page of the East Coast Reflector Youth Net. The 12-second animation sequence generates excitement for visitors eager to get a taste of something that is even more electrifying: The Youth Net itself. The East Coast Reflector has been hosting it for two years. Thanks to the efforts of two young amateurs, Aidan KD2YFO and Lucca KD2YHZ, things are going strong every Friday night at 7:30 Eastern Time. This teenaged team of young net controls hasn't missed a step. Michael Koenig, K2SHF, said in an email to Newsline that the boys put hard work and imagination into the net to keep it informal and fun. Although the net is designed primarily for youth, it's not unusual for adults to check in to see if they can tackle whatever special "question of the evening" Aidan and Lucca have dreamed up to break the ice. Third-party check-ins who are supervised by a licensed amateur can also participate. Michael told Newsline: [quote] "One of the goals of this net is to spark an interest in amateur radio and allowing non-ham youth to use a radio under someone else's callsign is a great way to do that." [endquote] The East Coast Reflector, W2ECR, is a platform accessible via hundreds of repeaters and nodes. For details on how to connect, visit the link in the text version of this week's newscast at arnewsline.org See Youth Net information under the tab marked "NETS" at the top of the screen on the web page of the East Coast Reflector. Everyone is welcome to join the dance. This is Dave Parks WB8ODF. [DO NOT READ: https://www.eastcoastreflector.com/welcome-to-ecr/ ] ** ISLANDS ON THE AIR TO HOST CELEBRATION DINNER STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Reservations are now open for IOTA-60, the celebration dinner marking six decades of the awards program, as we hear from Jeremy Boot G4NJH. JEREMY: The Islands on the Air programme has chosen to mark 60 years of recognised island activation and chasing by having a celebration dinner coinciding with Ham Radio Friedrichshafen. The IOTA-60 dinner will bring together hunters and activators on Friday the 28th of June at the V2O Bio Restaurant inside the Zeppelin Museum. Those planning to attend should purchase tickets and register their menu selections no later than the 31st of May; admission is by advance tickets only and costs £38. See the website in the text version of this week's Newsline script for more details. This is Jeremy Boot G4NJH. [DO NOT READ: www.iota-world.org/management-news.html ] (IOTA) ** WORLD OF DX In the World of DX, listen for Bo, OZ1DJJ, using the callsign OX3LX from Greenland until the 9th of May. He will be operating in his spare time using FT8, RTTY and CW, from Grid GP6Ø, Grid GP44 and Grid GP 51. QSL to QSL manager OZØJ. ** KICKER: WHEN THE SUN'S POWER CAN'T BE ECLIPSED STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Just last month, the sun made news when it went into hiding during a total eclipse over North America. For our final story, we introduce a California scientist who is ensuring that the sun makes news -- not only when it's very visible but when it is sharing some of its power. Here's Ralph Squillace KK6ITB to tell us more. RALPH: Ali Hajimiri, K1ALI, is an electrical engineering professor who wants to put the sun in the spotlight. He believes that the successful delivery of usable power to Earth from solar panels in space is just a matter of time. One year ago this month, he conducted what many scientists considered a pivotal experiment in support of his goal. A small satellite called the Space Solar Power Demonstrator, which he had launched five months earlier into low-Earth orbit, captured and transmitted via microwave a small amount of energy from the sun, illuminating two LEDs on the satellite. At the same time, a receiver placed on the roof of a campus building at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena picked up the transmitted signal too. The research team erupted in cheers. There have been, of course, many who have shared his mindset and dream over the years. The European Space Agency has its Solaris program which also focuses on safe space-based solar delivery, a goal shared by the UK's CASSIOPei satellite project. The May 22nd, 2023 experiment left the researchers encouraged. Caltech Magazine called it [quote] "a major milestone toward realizing a century-long dream." [endquote] As for the professor and his team, like the sun itself they're still positively beaming. This is Ralph Squillace KK6ITB. (PASADENANOW.COM, PVTECH.ORG, IEEE SPECTRUM) ** DO YOU HAIKU? Don't forget the Amateur Radio Newsline haiku challenge. If you're not too busy tuning your antennas or chasing the latest DXpedition, pick up a pencil and share your experience by sending an original haiku to us here at Newsline. Use the entry form on our website, arnewsline.org and please follow the rules for writing your three-line haiku -- sorry but we cannot accept any entries that aren't written in traditional haiku form. Share with fellow listeners the poetry that is inspired by your ham radio experience! NEWSCAST CLOSE: With thanks to Amateur Radio Weekly; AMSAT; CQ Magazine; Craig Crawford, ZL3TLB; David Behar K7DB; DXWorld; East Coast Reflector; Facebook; FCC; 425DXNews; IEEE Spectrum; IOTA; KidsOnTheAir; QRZ.com; Miles A. Wicker, W3ICK; shortwaveradio.de; PasadenaNow.com, PVTech.org; RadioWorld; Times-Leader 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 2024. All rights reserved.