On the 10th of May, the Nashua Area Radio Society is hosting its free Ham Bootcamp on the Zoom platform from 10 am to 6 pm Eastern Time. Demonstrations and tutorials will cover emergency communications, satellite operations, FT 8 and equipment for VHF/UHF operating.
Hams will also learn how to build a station so they can get on the air. In fact, one of the main purposes of the bootcamp is to help hams overcome many of the most common obstacles that keep them off the air - everything from how to select the right HT to participating in foxhunting or contesting.
For more details, visit the link in the text version of this week's newscast at arnewsline.org
WRTC BIDDING DEADLINE FOR SPONSORED TEAMS IS APRIL 30TH
If you're interested in competing in the World Radiosport Team Championship in the UK in 2026, you have until the 30th of April to submit your sealed bid in US currency. Two sponsored team positions are available. The two highest bidders will be selected for WRTC2026 after an auction of two rounds. The minimum bid is 20,000 US dollars.
Sponsored teams have participated in previous WRTC events and differ from qualifying teams in that they purchase their place in the competition.WRTC organisers consider this arrangement provides a valuable contribution to the event's budget. All teams are bound by the same operational rules.
Bidders will be notified by the 6th of May as to their standing in the first round and will become eligible to submit their final bid no later than the 31st of May.
For more details about the process, see the link in the text version of this week's newscast at arnewsline.org
PANCREATIC CANCER SPECIAL EVENT HONORS ITS FOUNDER'S MEMORY
This is the first year that special event station N3P is going on the air without Rich Ryba [pron: REE-BAH] WQ3Q. Rich conceived of the event three years ago to call attention to the work of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, or PanCAN, an organization that serves patients and families of patients suffering from pancreatic cancer.
Rich had lost his younger brother, Tom, to the disease years earlier and became a Silent Key from it himself last year. Bill Samek, W3BUW, said that he knew it was time for the Skyview Amateur Radio Society, the club Rich had belonged to, to fulfill the mission for him this year. Operators are putting N3P on the air on 25th, 26th and 27th of April, coordinated as always to the Purple Stride Walk benefit that takes place on Saturday, April 26th in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania - one of several such walk-a-thons around the nation.
Yes, there will be QSL cards but these are not typical QSOs. As Rich himself told Newsline in an interview in 2023: [quote] “People want to talk, want to share their experiences with their family. We told our operators to sit and listen. It doesn't matter how long the contact takes if it serves a purpose of helping." [Endquote]
HAMS ACTIVATE IRAN'S FIRST SPECIAL EVENT STATION FOR IARU
If you happened to hear the callsign EP100IARU on April 18th and you got in the log, you are among the more than 500 contacts made by eight amateur radio operators in Iran using CW, SSB and FT8. This was the first activation in celebration of the IARU's anniversary organised by the Naghsh e Jahan Radio-Amateur Society. World Amateur Radio Day marks the founding of the International Amateur Radio Union in 1925 in Paris.
In Iran, the special event station coordinator, Amir, EP3ISF [E P THREE EYE S F], told Newsline that the group's participation marked a "significant milestone" for everyone. Meanwhile, be patient: He said that QSL cards are being mailed directly.
INTERNATIONAL AMATEUR RADIO UNION EYES RESTRUCTURING
Our top story is the International Amateur Radio Union which has just marked the 100th anniversary of its founding in Paris. It's using the occasion to look within - and to consider a way it can be restructured. The IARU's administrative council has released a consultation containing an overview and a number of proposals. Region 2, which covers North, Central and South America, will be hosting two informational meetings on the Zoom platform where Region 2 societies can discuss the document, ask questions or recommend changes.
One Zoom session will be conducted in SPANISH on Monday, May 5, 2025 at 2359 UTC moderated by
Ramón Santoyo XE1KK, former Region 2 president, Region 2 president, George Gorsline VE3YV, will moderate a session on Wednesday, May 7th in English at 2359 UTC.
Links to both meetings can be found in the text version of this week's newscast at arnewsline.org
You will also find a link to the homepage of IARU Region 2 where you can download the document in PDF format.
THE SUMMIT OF EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
Greg Davidson, KF6CNS, recalls sitting in his garage with a friend in late March when a call for help came over on the 2-meter simplex calling frequency. Vincent LeVeque KF6FLJ had been hoping for a day of SOTA on Mt. Williamson in the Angeles National Forest when his hike ended in a 150-foot slide down the hillside and a bone-breaking crash into a tree. Vincent had dropped his mobile phone; his emergency beacon had little power remaining - but he was able to call for help on his handy talkie. Greg received that call 50 miles away thanks to a large commercial antenna at home. His immediate telephone outreach eventually led him to Will Richards KJ6JJB, operations leader of county sheriff's Montrose Search & Rescue. Will dispatched a helicopter and stayed on the phone with Greg who was maintaining radio contact with Vincent. Pinning down the location's coordinates precisely posed a challenge for the helicopter but Vincent was soon spotted, his bright orange windbreaker standing out against the snow.
Vincent told Newsline he was airlifted to the nearest trauma center for surgery on his femur and he is now recovering. He said Greg's attentiveness to the calling frequency that day may well have saved his life. Will quickly noted, however, that Vincent himself did some emergency preparedness too: the dashboard of his parked car held a map of his intended hiking route -- and another option to track him down. He said that both Vincent and Greg "did everything right."
RSGB HONORS 2 FROM HAMSCI FOR PROPAGATION STUDIES
Congratulations to Nathaniel Frissell, W2NAF, and Gwyn Griffiths, G3ZIL, whose studies of ionospheric propagation with Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation, or HamSCI, has been honoured by the Radio Society of Great Britain.
The Les Barclay Memorial Award has been given to Nathaniel for HamSCI's contributions in elevating amateur radio-based citizen science to a higher profile. The award is being given to him by the RSGB Propagation Studies Committee. He is the founder of HamSCI.
Gwyn is the author of a series of articles published in several issues of the RSGB magazine, RadCom, in 2024. She has been recognised through the society's Wortley-Talbot Trophy which recognises in particular her article, "Height of Reflections at HF," that appeared in the August 2024 magazine issue. She is a longtime member of the HamSCI community.
HAM RADIO TAKES 1ST JOURNEY ON FLORIDA TRAIL EVENT
A group known as the Tropical Trekkers has been celebrating the anniversary of a 10-mile stretch of the Florida Scenic Trail since it was opened to hikers 7 years ago. With mobile phones in hand, the organizers have traditionally tracked the celebration's hikers with as much accuracy as intermittent cellular service would allow. That is, until this year.
In late March, seven amateur radio operators were dispatched to checkpoints every 3 or so miles along the trail and used VHF simplex to ensure that no hikers became lost, injured or in need of assistance during this annual event. Mike Gormley, WA8VEC, a longtime trail supporter, told Newsline that the presence of radio was a natural for the trail event - and he was relieved when his offer to bring a team of volunteers was accepted.
Mike has known the needs of trail life well. For years he has been known as “Water Boy” for his regular placement and replenishment of fresh water jugs along a 30-mile stretch of trail during hiking season. So far this year, he has already distributed 195 gallons.
He also volunteers with the Tropical Trekkers, his chapter of the Florida Trail Association, to help with the physical maintenance of 70 miles of trail.
Nine months before this year's event, Mike and his team of radio volunteers - some of whom are also part of ARES or activate POTA - started developing written forms and a protocol for tracking the hikers’ whereabouts. On the day of the hike, they even provided return shuttle service for those who finished at the far end of the trail.
This is not the journey's end, however. The team has been invited back and is already planning for next year. Mike said that perhaps next time they’ll make use of Winlink too.
FIRST YOTA JUNIOR CAMP
The application period is open for Youth on the Air Junior Camp, which is makiNg its debut this year for amateur radio operators under the age of 15. Applicants must have a valid US ham radio license and will be expected to attend with a parent or guardian who needn't have a license themselves. This is a three-day version of the YOTA region wide camps for older youngsters and is modeled after the Kids on the Air program in IARU Region 1. It will take place in July at the Voice of America Museum in West Chester, Ohio. For details visit yota.org.
BIG WELCOME FOR YOUNGSTERS AT HAMVENTION ON MAY 17TH
If you are a high school student, or even younger, the easiest way to attend Hamvention is to simply show up on Saturday the 17th of May at the Greene County Fair and Expo Center. Admission is free that day for youngsters. Young visitors who want an experience that's designed just for them are also able to attend the Youth Rally, a special day-long program designed to offer students a variety of hands-on experiences in amateur radio. It is led by Steve Goodgame, K5ATA, the ARRL's education and learning manager. Students get to take part in a short on-air sprint, contact a parachute mobile radio operator and learn about satellite communications. Youngsters are encouraged to bring a 2-meter HT if they have one.
Unlike admission to the fairgrounds, advance registration is recommended for the Youth Rally and costs $20.
ZERO RETRIES NEWSLETTER HOSTING INAUGURAL CONFERENCE
September will be a big month for technology and innovation in amateur radio – and at the inaugural Zero Retries Digital Conference, many of the articles readers have enjoyed in the newsletter will come to life: Those attending can expect to hear about the IP400 Networking Project, and see demonstrations of the M17 Digital Voice/Data system and the MMDVM-TNC data system. Conference manager Tina Stroh KD7WSF expects to put out requests for presenters very soon and will make a sign-up sheet available online.
The conference will be held on the 13th of September at the Edward D. Hansen Conference Center in Everett, Washington.
The Hansen conference center will be transformed into a kind of epicenter of digital innovation at that time. The Zero Retries conference is taking place just as GRCon 2025 wraps up. GRCon is the annual conference for the GNU Radio project and community, That conference runs from Monday September 8th through to Friday September 12th. Although the two events share the same venue, they are not connected to one another.
Invitations to the Zero Retries conference are expected to be sent out shortly.
SILENT KEY: SHIRLEY HARDSTAFF, VK7HSC, INNOVATOR AND ADVOCATE
Remembered for her leadership and her personal touch as president of the North West Tasmania Amateur Radio Club, Shirley Hardstaff VK7HSC, had been immersed in amateur radio since the first day she got her licence.
A familiar face to many in the Australian Ladies Amateur Radio Association, or ALARA, and at many gatherings in Tasmania, Shirley became a Silent Key on the 5th of April.
Her friends recalled her as someone with a leadership style that brought a personal touch to YL meet-ups, placing less of an emphasis on business and committee formalities and more focus on social interaction. In 2019, she organised and funded the Bi-Monthly Chat and Show which was held at the Penguin Rec Centre and later the Ulverstone Rec Centre, until 2021.
Her on-air presence embraced traditional HF as well as other modes, including Echolink, DMR, IRLP and SSTV. She often served as stand-in net control for the Mount Duncan Net and a big supporter of the Scouting event Jamboree on the Air.
Shirley, who was the VK7 representative to ALARA from 2010 to 2014, was elected president of the North West Tasmania Amateur Radio Club in 2010. She stepped down in 2023. She and her late husband, Max, VK7KY, were widely known for their travels and were familiar faces at ham radio events around Tasmania.
Shirley was 83.
SILENT KEY: BOB FAY, WBØNPN, EMERGENCY RESPONDER AND MENTOR
If you've ever been to the Voice of America Museum in West Chester, Ohio, it's possible you met Bob Fay, WBØNPN. He was an active member and past officer of the West Chester Amateur Radio Association which has its shack inside the museum.
Bob became a Silent Key on the 5th of April.
First licensed in 1973, Bob was especially devoted to public service and emergency communications in different states through the years. He had been active in Hamilton County Ohio ARES as well as Lake County Illinois RACES and was a special deputy sheriff for the Hennepin County, Minnesota Mobile Amateur Radio Corps. He had also been deeply involved in emergency communications in Riverside and Los Angeles counties in California.
His long tenure as a ham deepened his appreciation for radio and he especially loved sharing his enthusiasm and expertise with the next generation. A proud moment for him was his receipt of an Elmer Award in 2016 from Christopher Brault, KD8YVJ - now KK8C -- after Chris became the 2015 recipient of the Hiram Percy Maxim Award from the ARRL.
Bob was 89.
REGULATOR SEEKS COMMENT ON AUSTRALIA'S CLASS-LICENSE CONDITIONS
The Radiocommunications Licence Conditions Determination 2015, which provides conditions on the use of amateur radio assigned and non-assigned licences, is being reviewed by The Australian Communications and Media Authority before it expires on 1 October 2025. While many amateurs now operate under the Radiocommunications Class Licence 2023, existing non-assigned amateur licences will continue to exist and operate under the conditions of the 2015 Amateur LCD until they expire. The authority's goal is to fine-tune the language of the LCD so it aligns with the new amateur Class Licence. Although the ACMA is seeking comments from the public, the authority stresses that this review is not considering major changes, such as amateur access to bands, but a list of simple recommendations that are now available for viewing in draft form.
Comments are due no later than Monday the 26th of May at 5 p.m. AEST.
To see the draft document, follow the link in the text version of this week's newscast at arnewsline.org
HAMS GAIN EXEMPTION IN IOWA'S DISTRACTED-DRiVING LAW
Amateur radio operators in Iowa have won an exemption to the state's new distracted-driving law that takes effect on the 1st of July. The governor signed the bill into law on the 2nd of April after both the state House and Senate passed it overwhelmingly. It bans drivers from using mobile phones or any wireless device while behind the wheel unless it is in hands-free or voice-activated mode. The bill, which was five years in the making, exempts licensed hams who are using two-way radios. Iowa joins 30 other states, including New York, Arizona and Minnesota, in granting hams permission to operate their radios while driving.
MOUNT ATHOS CONTACTS DEEMED VALID TOWARD DXCC
The DXCC Desk of the ARRL has determined that contacts made with the SV1GA/A team at Mt. Athos this past January meet the criteria for counting toward the DXCC award program. The ARRL made the announcement on its website on Friday, the 4th of April. DX chasers had been waiting to hear whether their QSOs counted ever since the team's planned 10-day operation was quickly and unexpectedly halted amid controversy. Local authorities challenged whether the hams had obtained the appropriate permission to be there.
Mt. Athos, an autonomous region governed by the monastic community in northeastern Greece, is a World Heritage Site and 28th on the ClubLog Most Wanted List.
The ARRL ended its announcement by saying: [quote] "Any future operations by this team from Mt. Athos will require additional documentation for securing accreditation for DXCC credit." [endquote]
HAMS INVITED TO MONITOR METEOR SCATTER EVENTS
This is a big year for meteor-scatter experiments to be conducted by HamSCI during the Perseids showers in August and the Geminids showers in December. For hams who are hoping to participate in either or both of the Meteor Scatter QSO Parties taking place during those events, there is important work to be done this month.
The citizen science research group is encouraging operators to get ready by setting up your equipment now in time for the Lyrids shower, which will be peaking on the 21st and 22nd of April. The days before and after those dates are also expected to provide good opportunities to take advantage of meteor scatter. Radio operators may participate either actively by calling CQ or passively, by monitoring and reporting.
Operators may use MSK144 within the WSJT-X software on both 10 and 6 metres. SWLs and hams may also participate passively by monitoring via PSK Reporter to send in their findings.
Details about HamSCI’s plans for the meteor-scatter investigations can be found at the link that appears in the text version of this week’s newscast at arnewsline.org
HAMS WEIGH IN ON FCC INVITATION FOR REGULATION COMMENTS
Suggestions varied widely among hams who responded to the FCC’s invitation – but for the most part there appeared to be a strong call for continued regulation of amateur radio with no changes to the three-tier license system or testing. Some hams did request changes - either that the license system be streamlined - or simply be eliminated.
The spectrum appeared to be a major concern, as some hams pressed the FCC to retain amateur privileges on the current bands. The FCC has set April 28th as the deadline for reply comments. All filings on the FCC website should be made in reference to Docket Number 25-133.
HAM RADIO NEWS PRESENTER RETIRES AT 101
Happy birthday and happy retirement to Peter Valentine, GØNQZ, who upon reaching the age of 101 on the 12th of April, has decided to take things a little easier…..but only just a little. Peter is still an active radio ham and participant in regular nets, including the HF nets of the International Short Wave League and the Radio Amateurs Old Timers’ Association. Peter has to his credit an enviable record as a presenter for the Radio Society of Great Britain’s GB2RS report. Best wishes and see you on the air, Peter!
THE WORLD IS MARKING WORLD AMATEUR RADIO DAY
Hams around the globe are marking World Amateur Radio Day on April 18th and ham radio clubs and other groups have been devoting a day - or even the whole month - to a variety of activities to celebrate the 100th year since the founding of the International Amateur Radio Union in Paris, France.
The IARU has declared the theme of this year's celebration - "Entering the Next Century of Amateur Radio Communications and Innovation."
Although the theme of the anniversary is forward-looking the IARU urged hams to appreciate the gains made in previous decades too. A message on its webpage noted that this is [quote] "a time to reflect on our achievements." [endquote]
Member societies in each region of the IARU will be marking the occasion in a variety of ways. Some are hosting open houses to demonstrate amateur radio to the public; others have already been on the air this month activating special event stations with callsigns ending in the suffix "W A R D." In Canada, the mayor of the capital city of Ottawa has issued the first municipal proclamation ever of Amateur Radio Day, as the Ottawa Amateur Radio Club and West Carleton Disaster Relief present demonstrations for the public at several locations.
