GETTING A READ ON AMATEUR RADIO IN NEW ZEALAND

Greg Dirk Van Der Reis, ZL1GUD, doesn't just have a good read on amateur radio in New Zealand - he produces a good read too: As of this month, his free independent e-zine, the New Zealand and Australian Amateur Radio Magazine, has published its third edition electronically. Although it was originally intended primarily for amateur radio readership in New Zealand and Australia, it is now being downloaded in parts of Europe and in Greg's native South Africa, where he began his radio life in 1979 as a CB'er and later a licensed amateur.

A prolific writer as well as a reader, Greg recognised early on that hams benefit from good communication in between time at the workbench or making contacts. He told Newsline that his electronic magazine is the outgrowth of work he first did for a local club's magazine after moving to New Zealand two years ago. His daytime business, The Ham Shack, sells amateur radio equipment for the home, portable and disaster preparedness while keeping him in touch with what hams need and the direction trends are going. He sees POTA and SOTA as big growth areas and his pages provide coverage on those topics, as well as personal profiles, DXpeditions and international events.

Greg told Newsline that the next edition will have a subscription button but until then, anyone reading this month's issue, can email him directly to be added to the distribution list. See the link to the magazine in the text version of this week's Newsline script at arnewsline.org

In an email to Newsline, he wrote: [quote] "This fills a gap and I would like it to bridge the amateur radio communities in New Zealand and Australia. I hope to create joint radio events between the two countries. We are only 3 hours apart by air." [endquote] Now the two countries are barely a few downloads apart -- and the same is true for the rest of the world beyond.

RSGB'S DMR PROJECT BEGINS AGAIN IN UK SCHOOLS

Just as the schools are back throughout the UK, so is the DMR Project launched by the Radio Society of Great Britain.

The initiative was introduced last May to loan equipment to schools to enable students to feel comfortable with making QSOs.

Now it is back as the schools and colleges reopen in September. The society's Outreach Team is working with teachers and, in partnership with the Radio Communications Foundation, they will pay licence exam fees for nine teachers who wish to set up ham radio clubs at their schools. Additional details are available from Chris Aitken MMØWIC, the youth chair, who can be reached at youthchampion dot school at rsgb dot org dot uk.

AUSTRALIAN REGULATOR MAKES CHANGES TO CB RULES

The Australian Communications and Media Authority is making changes to the Citizens Band Radio Station Class Licence Rules of 2015, which are about to sunset. The regulator is remaking the rules, with minor changes, saying that they reflect new developments in technology in the ensuing years. The ACMA characterised the changes as "minor."

They include permission to use FM now 27 MHz which was previously restricted to AM or SSB. This aligns CB in Australia with operations in much of the rest of the world. The rules also remove the requirement that calls be initiated only on specific call channels, giving operators the freedom to begin contacts on channels they customarily use. The ACMA also declared it would no longer be responsible for taking action against such on-air behaviour as harassment and threats, leaving enforcement issues instead to police and other authorities.

For details about these and other changes, see the Federal Register using the link in the text version of this week's newscast at arnewsline.org

MINNESOTA'S STATEWIDE POTA GROUP GROWS AMONG THE TREES

During the pandemic, Minnesota's parks provided amateur radio operators with welcoming places to get on the air with friends or just gather in a safe social setting. Many of those parks have since evolved into the birthplace of an organization that encourages POTA activations throughout the state by hosting activities, awards and formal events with the help of a group known as MNPOTA [pron: "MIN POTA."] Supported by the Stillwater Amateur Radio Association and a coalition of other clubs, MNPOTA has spent two years hosting year-round meetups and POTA activity days - including a Minnesota POTA Day in June. There is also an awards scheme that recognizes activators and hunters in different categories and different modes each spring.

Collin O'Connor, KEØIYN, a board member of the Stillwater club, said that all of this activity has nurtured and expanded Minnesota's population of POTA participants. He said that in the Stillwater club alone, between one-third and one-half of the more than 180 club members have become active in POTA.

Next year MNPOTA will add a new focus to its activities, encouraging Technician class license holders to get involved. Multi- and single stationary activations will be scheduled specifically on 6m and 10m, enabling the Techs to put their privileges to good use.

In the meantime, Collin encourages other POTA enthusasts in different states to consider a similar effort, even if they start small. He told Newsline: [quote] "Even 15 to 20 people is successful. Everything can grow from there. So let's spread POTA and keep POTA growing." [endquote]

ARDC SEEKS VOLUNTEER COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Amateur Radio Digital Communications is looking for volunteers to serve on one of four committees. They include the Grants Advisory Committee, which helps identify potential grant-making opportunities; the Technical Advisory Committee, which provides input on policies and technologies for 44Net, amateur radio's Internet IP address space; the Grants Evaluation Team, whose responsibilities include reporting on the results of funded grants; and the Conduct Review Committee, which oversees compliance with the Code of Conduct.

The ARDC also needs 44Net Portal Ticket Handlers, who help verify callsigns and other information for 44Net address space requests; and help on its Grants Communications Team, whose members write summaries to share with the public about the results of ARDC-funded grants.

Details about the application process, volunteer qualifications and time commitments for any of these posts can be found on the ARDC's blog. A link to the relevant post appears in the text version of this week's newscast at arnewsline.org

FCC LEVIES $920,000 PIRACY PENALTY AGAINST FM STATION

The US Federal Communications Commission has given the operator of a New Jersey FM radio station 30 days to pay a penalty of nearly $1 million, for what the regulator says is unlicensed operation of a radio station on 91.7 MHz. The commission identified the station as Radio Leve Kanpe which is described on a number of websites online as having Haitian Creole programming.

The station's operator, Masner Beauplan of Middletown, New York, has been assessed a forfeiture of $920,000 for what the commission says were illegal broadcasts between November 16th, 2023, and January 8, 2024. The FCC said that Beauplan had been sent a Notice of Apparent Liability in September of 2024 but never responded. Failure to pay means that the regulator refers the case to the US Justice Department, which is responsible for collecting the fines.

The Preventing Illegal Radio Abuse Through Enforcement Act, or PIRATE Act, of 2020 permitted the FCC to raise its fines when going after unlicensed broadcasters. Violating the PIRATE Act carries a maximum penalty of approximately $2.4 million.

CRYPTOLOGY, SPACE OFFER SIDE TRIPS AT TECHNICAL SYMPOSIUM

Attendees at the Radio Club of America's Technical Symposium and awards banquet can expect more from the experience by taking a sidetrip the day before to such nearby sites as the Goddard Space Center and the Cryptologic Museum of the US National Security Agency. Motorcoach tours will be available for both on Friday the 21st of November. The symposium and banquet take place on the 22nd of November at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Washington, D.C.

The banquet is held every year to celebrate achievements in every area of wireless innovation.

For details about the tours or the RCA event itself, visit radioclubofamerica dot org. That's "radioclubofamerica" - one word - dot org

WRTC ANNOUNCES HQ SITE IN ENGLAND

The market town of St. Neots in Cambridge has been chosen as the headquarters site for the World Radiosport Team Championship next year. Organisers have identified the three hotels close to the event where activities will take place from the 8th through to the 14th of July. There is also a renewed call for volunteers in various roles at either the headquarters site or one of the clusters. For additional details or to volunteer, visit the link in the text version of this week's newscast at arnewsline.org

SILENT KEY AMONG THOSE IN RADIO HALL OF FAME

An amateur radio operator with a flair for and a following in late-night broadcast radio is one of eight inductees into the Radio Hall of Fame for 2025. Dale Sommers, WB6OM, who became a Silent Key in 2012 at the age of 68, gained popularity as the so-called "Trucking Bozo," on AM Radio - a nickname the radio personality garnered during his highly rated overnight program that was a hit with the nation's truck drivers. The show originated on WLW-AM in Cincinnati before moving to SiriusXM Radio.

The Museum of Broadcast Communications has inducted Dale and seven other broadcast notables who have passed away, as Legends. They include late on-air personalities Amos Brown, Jed the Fish and the Big 89’s WLS-AM’s, Don Wade.

Also honored, the late broadcast engineer Richard Burden, research executive Joanne Church, scriptwriter and producer Irna Phillips and programming executive Steve Smith.

EQUATORIAL GUINEA SUSPENDS HAM RADIO LICENSES

s DXpeditioners called off the 3CØW and 3C3W activations in Equatorial Guinea, the government suspended all amateur radio licences in the country. Authorities made the announcement saying that a visiting ham radio operator gained access to sensitive areas in the country with radio equipment that was unauthorised. The government announcement did not identify the radio operators but various DX sites online listed Yuris, YL2GM and Eugene, EA5EL, as DXpeditioners operating from Annobon Island in the South Atlantic Ocean.

Both callsigns were seen on the spotting clusters, with 3CØW's last spot made on the 11th of September, accompanied by the comment that there was bad news reported on the DX-World.net.

That report said the operation had gone forward [quote] "without properly verifying the legality of the equipment or the compliance of the assigned frequencies with national regulations."

In its announcement, the Malabo government did not identify the callsigns but said that the hams had applied for licenses in 2018 and this year but had not verified that the equipment to be used was in legal compliance.

Yuris posted an update on DX-World, confirming that the team had not yet managed to get the local permit to operate as 3CØW in Annobon Island and that they were returning to the mainland where they had previously had a successful activation as 3C3W.

Meanwhile, authorities said that the suspension of licences will enable the government to develop a new regulatory framework with respect to legal frequencies and equipment - an action it said also aligns with national security requirements. A government statement said: [quote] "The goal is to ensure that no high-frequency equipment enters the country without proper approval and review of the license." [endquote]

The news comes one month before the scheduled 3C2MD DXpedition of the Mediterraneo DX Club International, which is to operate from the 30th of October through to the 11th of November. It is unclear what impact this move by the government will have on the planned DXpedition.

LETTING YOUNG READERS SEE A NEW DIMENSION TO RADIO

There are many dimensions to Lorilyn Roberts, KO4LBS. The Florida resident is an educator, a storyteller and a ham -- something she has wanted to be since childhood. Although she enjoys CW, one of her preferred modes when she is off the air is fiction. In many of the books she has authored, she uses that mode to communicate with faith and passion, reaching out most especially to young adult readers.

In her latest book, released September 5th, Lorilyn shows yet another dimension of her work, one that is reflected in its title "Eighth Dimension - Frequency." This is a work of fantasy fiction. It's the story of a teenager who gains fluency as an amateur radio operator but off the air, struggles to communicate as a caregiver for her mother who has dementia. The young girl, named Chumana, believes that her faith and her future have been shattered and she questions why things happen as they do in this universe.

Like Lorilyn, the protagonist at the core of this tale is a communicator - a gift that serves her well as she begins to make some unusual and unexpected connections via the digital modes.

Lorilyn told Newsline in an email that her hope is that young readers will discover amateur radio - and something more - by hearing Chumana's story. In fact, perhaps they will end up on the same frequency.

SIX RECIPIENTS SELECTED FOR YLRL SCHOLARSHIPS

The Young Ladies Radio League has announced six scholarship recipients for this year - two each for the Ethel Smith K2LMB Memorial Scholarship, the Mary Lou Brown NM7N Memorial Scholarship, and The Martha Wessel KØEPE Memorial Scholarship.

Congratulations to Grace Papay, K8LG and Neeti Sonth, KN6ØJJ for their selection as recipients of the Ethel Smith scholarship. Grace, who was Amateur Radio Newsline's Young Ham of the Year in 2024, is a top contester and youth mentor. She is studying electrical engineering at Cedarville University in Ohio. Neeti is a PhD student at the University of Colorado Boulder, where she is studying toward her PhD in aerospace engineering sciences. She is the communications officer for the school's amateur radio club.

Madison Clogher, KC1KJT, and Camrynne Ellis WX5CAM, have been chosen for the Martha Wessel scholarship. Madison is active in public service and emergency communications and worked recently with the Federal Emergency Management Agency in its office of planning and preparedness. She has a bachelor's degree in emergency management and is pursuing her master's in cybersecurity. Camrynne is entering her final year at Texas A&M University where she is studying meteorology and atmospheric sciences. She became involved in ham radio through the school's Texas Aggie Storm Chasers organization.

Rachel Jones KO4HLC, and Katherine Forson, KT5KMF are receiving the Mary Lou Brown scholarship. Rachel, a PhD candidate in aerospace sciences at the University of North Dakota, has been a presenter on radio space science for students and is currently the winter manager of KC4USV at McMurdo Station in Antarctica. Katherine is a senior meteorology student at Texas A&M University and active as an officer in the campus radio club W5AC. She is also a liaison between the club and the Texas Aggie Storm Chasers, where she serves as radio and licensing director. Katherine received the ARRL's Hiram Percy Maxim Award in 2021.

Newsline extends its congratulations to these six promising young talents.

WILD CARD TEAM MEMBERS CHOSEN FOR WRTC 2026

The excitement continues to build during these remaining months of planning for the World Radiosport Team Championship to be held next year in England.

Event chairman Mark MØDXR, has announced that members of the Wild Card team have been chosen by the Organising Committee. The lead position will be held by Diego, LW5HR, who showed much promise in the qualifications both as a single operator and as part of a number of multi-op teams. His teammate will be Manu, LU9ESD.

Mark said that given the strong representation of the US and Europe in the other teams, the make-up of the Wild Card team from South American amateurs has satisfied the organisers' goals for the field to achieve international diversity.

Wild Card teams are created to recognise candidates with exceptional competitive skills but who were not chosen during the selection process for the other teams.

The preparations and 24-hour contest take place from 8th to the 13th July showcasing the skills of 50 teams of two-person operators. Like the Olympic Games, it is held every four years.

PORTABLE-OP CELEBRATION ACTIVATES NY'S ERIE CANAL

Ten days on the air. Fourteen clubs in NY State. Six months of planning. It all adds up to two hundred years of the Erie Canal - the celebrated public-works project that sparked economic growth by providing a connection between the Atlantic Ocean and the Great Lakes in the early 1800s. It ultimately earned the nickname, the "Mother of Cities," because its connections fostered the development of towns, villages and cities.

Ham radio operators will light up the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor with an operating event that runs from the 16th through to the 25th of September. Many of them will be doing Parks on the Air activations, including a notable two-fer that also includes the Empire State Trail.

Organizers Matt K2EAG, Angela N3ARB and Mike N2MAK are encouraging clubs to create their own commemorative QSL cards for the event. The organizers aren't just looking to collect QSOs, though; they also want to gather stories from operators about their experiences during the event. They can be emailed directly to Matt at k 2 e a g at arrl dot net (k2eag@arrl.net) or posted on social media with the hashtag symbol and one of these three words: ErieCanal200, Erie Canalway or parksontheair.

UK REGULATOR MULLS SATELLITE-TO-CELL PHONE SERVICE

The UK is poised to become Europe's first country offering legal satellite connectivity for smartphones. The regulator Ofcom has released a consultation authorising the move and is requesting comments no later than the 10th of October.

Making this service available to standard mobile phones would provide the most remote parts of the UK with the access needed to send texts, make phone calls or even connect to the Internet - functions presently not possible in areas without mobile phone coverage.

This is known as "direct-to-device" and operation would be permitted after Ofcom has provided a variation to the licences of Mobile Network Operators. The change would also grant such use to mobile handsets and any other devices that make use of SIM cards.

DOUBTS ABOUT SOLAR CYCLE PREDICTION METHODOLOGY

As this year brings the solar maximum of Cycle 25, a different kind of solar storm has been raging - one that challenges the longstanding and prevailing paradigm scientists use to help arrive at forecasts. Sociologist and statistician Frank Howell K4FMH has done an extensive study of this so-called NASA-NOAA-ISED prediction formula, which utilizes a consensus methodology, pitting it against the work of solar physicist Scott McIntosh of Lynker Space.

In this busy, high-profile year for the sun and its activity, Frank has written extensively and presented a series of virtual talks on the subject in the US and overseas. He has also discussed the competing models extensively in his blog, K4FMH.com. Frank's most recent talk, "Progress in the Revolution: Sunspot Cycle Forecast Accuracy at Cycle 25," was given to Pennine [PEN-NINE] Ham in the UK, and can be seen on their YouTube channel.

Whether the NASA team or the McIntosh team prevails, one thing is certain: Like CMEs themselves, this scientific competition over solar predictions promises to rage for some time to come.

MANDATE FOR INDIAN HAMS TO CONVERT TO DIGITAL LICENSES

Hams in India who received amateur radio licences in paper form are being required to replace those certificates with a digital licence no later than the 15th of September by logging into the Saral Sanchar, a web-based portal of the Department of Telecommunications.

There is no application fee for the process, which provides amateurs with a QR code-authenticated certificate. This is the equivalent of the amateur radio booklets that had been issued manually with paper certificates until December 31st, 2019.

In early 2020, India began issuing all new and renewed amateur radio certificates digitally. The Telecommunication Rules of 2024 now require the holders of the older paper certificates to use the digital web-based portal as well. Failure to migrate will mean that when the licence expires, it cannot be renewed.

FCC EYES GIVING OK TO MOBILE PHONE JAMMING AT PRISONS

The Federal Communications Commission hopes to grant federal and state prisons the right to jam mobile phones that have been smuggled in to inmates.

The commission has scheduled a vote this month to remove a restriction that keeps the prisons from such jamming. The inmates are not authorized to have the phones, which the commission said are being used to assist them in conducting criminal activity while behind bars.

US law prohibits the use - and even the sale or distribution - of any equipment that can jam authorized signals such as radio communication, police radar, GPS devices and cell phones. Jamming is forbidden under the Communications Act of 1934, which has been amended and updated since its original drafting.

The vote is scheduled for September 30th.

FCC GRANTS LIMITED USE OF AMATEUR BANDS TO AST SPACEMOBILE

The FCC's Space Bureau said in a statement that it was giving permission to AST SpaceMobile to use frequencies between 430 and 440 MHz on an emergency basis only, The regulator said its move was in direct response to overwhelming concerns raised by amateur radio operators.

Citing potential interference among their issues, member societies of the International Amateur Radio Union, AMSAT, the ARRL and individual amateurs worldwide also argued that alternate UHF allocations exist for the satellites' telemetry, tracking and command functions. More than 2,500 comments were submitted to the FCC .

The FCC's action gives use of the amateur frequencies to the satellites for no more than a 24-hour period. The amateur radio 70cm band is used by hams worldwide for such applications as mobile FM voice, analogue and digital TV, digital data transmission, amateur radio satellites and weak-signal communications on SSB and CW.

AST SpaceMobile ultimately plans a full constellation of 248 satellites for broadband service from space.

SWEPT AWAY AT IOTA EXPEDITION TO PAJAROS ROCKS

A Honda generator. An IC 7000. Seven bandpass filters. Two multi-band antennas. A 500-watt amplifier. This equipment -- and more - are all gone now from the Pajaros rock where the team on IOTA Number SA-100 began operating on the 18th of August as 3G1P. Ocean swells of up to 3 metres - considered the worst seen in five years - forced Cezar, VE3LYC; Felipe, XQ7IR and Johan PA3EXX to be evacuated by the Chilean Coast Guard three days later. Wearing wetsuits, the hams swam to the rescuers' boats, eyeing the carefully packed-up equipment they had to leave behind on the rock. Already they were making plans to return for its retrieval.

Sea conditions prevented anyone from gaining access to the rock again until the 26th of August. Afterward, the team wrote on their website: [quote] "VERY BAD NEWS." [endquote] adding [quote] "There is absolutely nothing there except for the beam antenna that we left anchored, which has been damaged." [endquote] They believe that all else was swept away by the sea.

Now instead of QSOs, the trio has been collecting words of encouragement. In one of their most recent messages to chasers and supporters, they wrote: [quote] "We want to express our gratitude to all those who helped and will continue to help. They are living proof that the ham spirit is alive and well." [endquote]

To see the team's daily blog, detailing their challenges, follow the link in this week's newscast script at arnewsline.org