If you're planning for some extra DX in 2026, you may find some familiar names and callsigns on the website of the World Radiosport Team Championship. Competing teams' names and callsigns have been released. Are any of them in your logs yet? Follow the link in the text version of this week's newscast to see who they are. In a separate email announcement, organizers also announced that they have chosen the 50 referees.
SSTV TRANSMISSIONS PLANNED FOR WORLD SPACE WEEK
The largest celebration of space is right here on planet Earth and it's taking place from the 4th through to the 10th of October. More than 90 countries are supporting this celebration of science and technology which this year has the theme "Living in Space."
Ham radio operators, of course, keep their feet on the ground - mostly - but have at least one ear tuned into what's going on high above us. So Amateur Radio on the International Space Station will deliver its own contribution to this annual event by transmitting six unique slow-scan TV images. Right now the schedule is tentative but there will be a window for transmission on Friday the 3rd of October and a second window, with the same images, on Saturday the 4th of October. The action will be happening on 145.800 MHz where the images will be sent in PD120 encoding.
World Space Week is an educational effort that was declared by the United Nations in 1999. The observance gives nations around the world an opportunity to show how space-related initiatives have the capacity to improve life on earth.
FCC CHARGES NEWLY LICENSED HAM WITH UNAUTHORIZED OPERATION
In the US, the FCC has charged an amateur radio operator with unauthorized operation on a frequency assigned for use by public safety agencies, private mobile paging and businesses. The FCC's action against Matthew Davidson, KG7EFI, stems from a complaint its enforcement bureau received on the 10th of July, barely one month after Davidson was granted his Technician class license. Technician licensees are permitted use of VHF bands including 6 meters, 2 meters, and 1.25 meters.
According to the complaint, enforcement agents said Davidson, who lives in Utah, was questioned 18 days after the complaint and admitted that he was transmitting on 173.675 MHz, a frequency that is unauthorized under his license.
The FCC has given him 20 days to file a formal written response.
PA QSO PARTY OFFERS NEW INCENTIVES TO CHASERS
It has grown to become one of the biggest QSO parties on the annual HF operating calendar.
The PA QSO Party is held on the second weekend of October, running this year on Oct. 11 and 12 with stations found on both SSB and CW. It has the reputation as "The Friendly QSO Party" because it attracts lots of newcomers and casual operators who take their time on the QSO exchanges.
Now it's become even friendlier: The committee that oversees the PA Party has introduced a new group of awards and plaques for this contest to stimulate even more activity – especially on the 10, 15 and 20 meter bands.
That’s where those of you outside of Pennsylvania become part of the winning formula for PA stations who will be looking for you.
Even if you’re not into contesting, nearly all of us who cruise the bands on the weekends are generally willing to stop to make contact with a station calling CQ. Well, that brief stop for a PA station during this event could translate into big rewards.
While the PA party does offer plaques and awards to out-of-state stations in a variety of categories, organizers want to promote even more activity from those stations. Doing so will help operators in PA to capture awards for sweeping sections and call districts in the Northeast, Southwest, the West, Central, Canada, and some DX plus the Caribbean.
You’ll find more about the PA QSO Party and a listing of the new awards in the links in the text version of this story on our website, ARNewsline.org.
SILENT KEY: TOP CONTESTER, WRTC REFEREE FLAVIO PRECISVALLE IK1SPR
Flavio Precisvalle, IK1SPR, became a Silent Key unexpectedly on the 21st of September. A licensed amateur for nearly 40 years, he was an enthusiastic contester in all modes, but had a particular love of CW.
Various online postings credited him with playing a major role in IQ1RY the Italian Radio Association in Bra, in the province of Cuneo. Flavio's former team members posted pictures online of him enjoying various contests, where he was often among the victors.
He was adept at "all mode" contesting, using CW, SSB and RTTY. Most recently he had competed in the Islands on the Air contest as part of the IP1X team. Whenever he could, he would support others, working as a referee twice in the World Radiosport Team Championship -- in Russia in 2010 and in Italy in 2022.
Flavio was a much-loved member of the Marconi Club, which organized an on-air tribute to him in CW on 80 metres on Friday the 26th of September. Flavio was 58.
LIGHTNING DESTROYS MAJOR NEW ZEALAND RADAR DOME
For New Zealand's meteorologists, the Westland Rain Radar is transmitting only silence, following a lightning strike of 156 kiloamps on the 18th of September. A statement from MetService New Zealand, the nation's weather service, said that the powerful surge was about five times greater than a typical strike and had sufficient power to run a residence for about two years. Various news reports said the power not only destroyed the weatherproof cover designed to protect the radar but "fried" the electronics and overpowered the grounding systems at the site.
The strike's destructive force has disabled the radar dome to the point that MetService expects it to be out of service for [quote] "an extended period" [endquote] while repairs are done. The radar is a critical forecasting tool for New Zealand's severe weather warnings and plays an especially important role for communities on the West Coast.
Meteorologists in the meantime will be observing high-resolution computer models, satellite images, weather stations and neighbouring radar sites. According to a report on the AccuWeather website, this is not the first time the radar dome has been hit by lightning. A hit in 2022 left it with only minor damage.
NUCLEAR-CLEANUP DRILL INCORPORATES HAM RADIO FOR 1ST TIME
It was a first for the Amateur Radio Emergency Service in Paducah [PUH-DUKE-KUH], Kentucky: responding to a mock emergency at a government-owned site that conducts nuclear deactivations and spent-fuel cleanup. Paducah is one of more than 100 government sites across the country handled by the energy department's Emergency Management program, which conducts nuclear remediation.
The hams, first-responders at numerous natural disasters throughout Kentucky, were now providing backup in a nuclear scenario.
According to a report on the department website, the hams got the word out, successfully transmitting emails over the radio from their mobile station inside a truck, reaching department headquarters in Washington, DC, as well as the project office in nearby Kentucky.
Myrna Redfield, program manager of the Four Rivers Nuclear Partnership, said that the first-time inclusion of ham radio meant that such scenarios gave an extra layer of resiliency to keep communication uninterrupted. She said: [quote] "Exercises like this not only enhance our preparedness but also strengthen ties with local responders who share our commitment to protecting people and the environment." [endquote]
FCC VOTES TO ALLOW CELL PHONE JAMMING NEAR PRISONS
In a move applauded by a number of lawmakers, the Federal Communications Commission has given prisons and other correctional facilities the authorization to use cell phone jamming technology to disable devices smuggled into inmates. Federal law prohibits the sale and operation of equipment that interferes with the operation of authorized radio communications, including GPS and cellular phones.
According to the FCC,the September 30th vote was taken to halt what authorities say are criminal activities, such as drug dealing or killings, being conducted by persons who are incarcerated.
The FCC said that its action would coordinate efforts between corrections officials and wireless carriers and is not designed to interfere with wireless services of cellular customers in the vicinity of the prisons.
The move drew praise from a number of lawmakers such as David Kustoff, a Republican congressman who in March had introduced the Cell Phone Jamming Reform Act of 2025.
US GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN HALTS FCC OPERATIONS
This developing story unfolded as Newsline went to production: the FCC was among numerous government agencies suspending operations as the result of a US government shutdown. The commission advised amateur radio operators and others that this would have an impact on processing of licenses, exams and any other communications as of October 1st. The FCC website cautioned visitors that information displayed might not be up to date. Newsline is following this story.
KEEPING HIS WIFE'S MEMORY CLOSE IN HIS HEART
When it comes to making a big effort, Eddie Misiewicz, KB3YRU, is putting his heart into this one: He's one in the crowd of many who are stepping off on the 4th of October near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, for the American Heart Association Heart Walk. While Eddie's fellow club members in the Skyview Amateur Radio Society, K3MJW, will be on
the air as special event station K3H - Kilo Three Heart - Eddie and his team of hams will be putting their best feet forward in memory of his wife of 28 years. Connie Misiewicz KB3YYC, became a Silent Key last March as a result of congenital heart disease. She was known throughout Skywarn as a devoted storm spotter and county net control station. She was also a familiar voice with the Breezeshooters of Western Pennsylvania Club, which encourages activity on 10 meters.
To Eddie, the three-mile walk he is taking to honor his late wife is the walk of a lifetime. It is also a way to channel his grief into something positive through a public heart-health awareness campaign, with other area hams joining him on the trek. The American Heart Association has designed the event to celebrate survivors of heart disease and stroke.
Meanwhile, Eddie has also joined another team - a team of lifesavers - to ensure there can be plenty more survivors in the years to come: He recently became an American Heart Association certified CPR instructor. He told Newsline it's the right thing to do. He's sure of it - in his heart.
See a link to the walk website in the text version of this week's newscast at arnewsline.org
OFCOM REVIEWS LICENSE PROCEDURES FOR SOME SATELLITES
Ofcom is hoping to improve the licensing procedures that were introduced in 2021 covering non-geostationary satellite orbit systems used by businesses, individuals and other entities, particularly in remote areas. The regulator opened a consultation earlier this month and is seeking comments up to the 18th of November.
Having issued eight such network and nine gateway licences for these systems, Ofcom believes it is time to work towards a swifter decision-making process while minimising the administrative burden on system operators. Ofcom is also looking at enabling the gateways to connect to a broader range of satellite services using both the Q and V bands.
The regulator intends to publish its decision early next year.
SABLE ISLAND CYØS TEAM ANNOUNCES DXPEDITION DATES
The Sable Island CYØS team has announced that their DXpedition has been scheduled for March 19th through to either the 30th or 31st of next year. The operation received its approval this past spring from parks officials in Canada but the dates in March were not set at the time.
The group said that it has been fundraising to cover the higher costs of flights between Halifax, Nova Scotia and the island - a significant increase, they said, since the 2023 DXpedition. The island is about 300 km, or 186 miles, east of Halifax.
The treeless and windy island, best known for its population of wild horses, is expected to pose a number of challenges during the expedition. The team leaders will be Murray WA4DAN and Glenn WØGJ. Operators will be joined by a number of members of last year's CY9C DXpedition to St. Paul Island, also off the coast of Nova Scotia.
CALIFORNIA CLUB HELPS AREA HAMS REPLACE WILDFIRE LOSSES
Rebuilding doesn't always call for brick, mortar, wood or steel. Hams in the San Fernando Valley Amateur Radio Club W6SD are using antennas, coax, power supplies, spare HTs and base-station radios instead. These pieces of vital equipment and others are being donated, along with funds, to help amateurs in the region refurbish the shacks that kept communication lines open during the Eaton and Palisades fires last winter - the same fires that ultimately destroyed the stations themselves.
Club president Richard Frankie, N6NCW, told the Los Angeles Times that the hams see the donations and loans as tools to repair the communication safety net so devastated last winter. He's been a part of the club and the community for nearly 50 years and knows that ham radio is about passing along the support so freely given through mentorship, loans or outright gifts.
According to the LA Times article, hams in the region who are still in need of equipment or assistance with their stations can contact the club through their Facebook page or website. The club is, of course, also offering mentorship and training for anyone wanting to join them on the air.
HAMS IN SWEDEN PRESS FOR DUPLEX FM HANDHELDS
Satellite enthusiasts in Sweden are calling on a dozen makers of Japanese and Chinese handheld transceivers to produce radios that have full duplex FM capabilities - enabling users to copy their own downlink while transmitting.
In an open letter to the various companies -- such as AnyTone, Kenwood, TYT, Yaesu and Alinco -- AMSAT-SM said hams are seeking equipment that would permit an operator to transit and receive at the same time on different bands without any desensing. According to an AMSAT News Service report, an older Kenwood model had that ability but it has been discontinued and nothing is on the market to replace it.
The letter was signed by Lars Thunberg, SMØTGU. A copy of it is posted on the AMSAT-SM website.
The AMSAT News Service report said that a handful of the dozen companies responded and one company - which was not identified - said they were discussing the request. There were no other details available.
WEATHERING THE STRUGGLE OF PROGRAMMING EMERGENCY RADIOS
Autumn weather can be very tricky in the part of Kentucky that the Princeton Ham Radio Club W4KBL calls home. Area residents who rely on weather radios - the ones that receive alerts and warnings from the National Weather Service -- often say those receivers can be tricky too. Sam Gray, KJ4TYE, the club's vice president and weather coordinator, said that's what inspired members to host a weather radio session recently. They showed local residents how to program their radios properly so they don't miss relevant weather watches and warnings in and around Caldwell County.
Sam told Newsline in an email [quote] "I have heard many people complain about the weather radio going all the time for counties not close to them." [endquote] He said those radios ultimately get unplugged and put into storage.When a disaster strikes, they have no warnings.
That changed on Saturday the 20th of September when club members greeted radio owners inside the EOC to demonstrate how to properly program those radios so that they receive alerts relevant to their specific county. Sam said the club, which is heavily involved in weather-spotting, knows the value of these kinds of alerts - but also knows that these radios, like many products these days, don't necessarily come with clear programming instructions in the box.
Sam said he encourages other clubs to reach out in their own communities to people confounded by the programming instructions and help them to receive the right reports. He said [quote] "Receiving alerts and warnings is key to preparing and survival." [endquote]
SPECIAL REPORT: AMATEUR RADIO PREPS TO DEFEND ANTENNA LEGISLATION
Momentum has been gathering among amateur radio clubs, advocates and influencers to muster vocal support for two measures that would remove restrictions placed on ham radio antennas by a growing number of homeowner associations around the US. At the helm of the grassroots campaign is the ARRL, the national amateur radio association, which formally kicked off the nationwide push on the 17th of September to bolster the chances of passage - at long last - this year.
The bills were introduced earlier this year in both the Senate and House of Representatives. Previous versions have died in other sessions. Through the years, opponents of such measures have declared that these restrictions are vital to preserving the value of homeowners' investments in their properties and to retaining the aesthetics of a community.
Amateurs maintain that they are seeking the same consideration given to TV antennas and satellite dishes under a federal law known as the Over the Air Reception Devices rule, protecting TV, broadband and direct satellite reception. The measures before Congress would enable hams to provide lifesaving communication if disaster should strike. In the meantime, many hams have resorted to attic installations, stealth antennas and other compromises.
The measures introduced as HR 1094 and S 459 are the latest versions under consideration. The Texas Ham Political Action Committee is working with the ARRL to provide amateurs access with pre-written letters addressed to the lawmakers representing each region. The website generates the messages and delivers them electronically. ARRL newsletters, club websites, social media platforms and blogs have been directing hams to the online tool and urging them to respond.
The Texas Ham PAC says on the site [quote] "This site and the service is provided as a donation to the ARRL and its legislative program by Texas HAM PAC." [endquote] You can find a link in the text version of this week's newscast at arnewsline.org.
Influencers taking high-profile advocacy roles include Thomas Witherspoon, K4SWL, who hosts the well-read QRPer website for low-power and portable ops. Noting that his home in western North Carolina is not in an HOA, Thomas said this is everyone's battle, regardless. He wrote that even in the midst of what he called an "apocalyptic communications failure" during Hurricane Helene last year, his modest home antenna was able to connect his family to a lifesaving repeater on Mount Mitchell, letting him talk to emergency nets and local EOCs.
Thomas wrote [quote] "Even if, like me, you’re a low-profile ham who doesn’t live in an HOA or restrictive community, there’s a very real reason we should all have the right to install even modest antennas at home."[endquote]
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]
