FCC BANS IMPORT, SALE OF FOREIGN-MADE DRONES

The import and sale of foreign-made drones and components are now banned in the US, following action by the Federal Communications Commission, citing the potential of national security risks. The agency's move follows an executive order from the White House in June, banning unmanned aircraft systems and their parts.

The executive order, known as "Restoring American Airspace Sovereignty," stated that the move also has the goal of boosting drone manufacture in the US for use here and for export to the global marketplace.

The ban is expected to have far-reaching effects on drone sellers as well as their customers. Drones are widely used by first responders, farmers, business owners and hobbyists. The ban affects only new products that are not already here in the US.

WEATHERING A LONG LIFETIME OF STORMS

Well-respected, kind and personable, Neil Frank understood how storm preparedness could be vital for lifesaving communication during hurricane season. He particularly valued amateur radio for its resiliency when disaster cut conventional means of getting the word out. The meteorologist's long tenure at the helm of the National Hurricane Center, part of the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, changed everything -- especially in 1980, when he established an amateur radio station at the NHC in Florida to stay connected to vulnerable areas in the Caribbean.

Julio Ripoll, WD4R, was a university student pursuing architecture studies at the time -- and was president of his school's ham radio club -- when Neil Frank tapped him for the role of cofounder and the first amateur radio coordinator of station WX4NHC. What was to have been a two-year assignment lasted for more than 45 years and more than 100 hurricanes, encouraged by his friend and mentor. Julio, who remains active as assistant coordinator, told Newsline in an email: [quote] "Dr. Frank showed this young ham kindness and understanding from Day 1 and for many years after. His support and pep talks helped my confidence and inspired me in many ways." [endquote]

Neil Frank's own tenure at the NHC lasted from 1974 to 1987, the longest term any director has held. He eventually moved on to KHOU-TV in Houston, Texas where, affectionately given the nickname "Doc," he was chief meteorologist until 2008.

Neil Frank died December 24th, 2025 - Christmas Eve Day - at the age of 94.

FCC READY TO ELIMINATE FOUR HAM-RELATED REGULATIONS

Four rules covering the amateur radio service in the United States are marked for elimination by the Federal Communications Commission unless the agency receives objections filed no later than the 2nd of January -- objections that it considers worthy of consideration. The FCC plans to otherwise remove the four rules, three of which it called “obsolete,” and one that it says duplicates an existing provision.

The FCC published its intention in the Federal Register and identified the rules. They are provisions 97.27, 97.29, 97.315 (b)(2), considered out of date by the FCC. The fourth provision is 97.521 (b), which relates to Volunteer Examiner Coordinators.

The FCC has scheduled the removal of the four rules on the 10th of February. The agency’s action is part of its broader 2025 initiative to remove regulations that it considers burdensome or no longer necessary.

To see each of the rules relevant to ham radio in depth, visit federalregister-dot-gov (federalregister.gov). There you will also find information on how to file a comment, if you wish to do so.

NEW ZEALAND HAMS USE "ZM" PREFIX FOR CENTENARY YEAR

How do you show pride in the group that has come to represent and advocate for amateur radio in New Zealand? One way is to drop the "ZL" prefix and swap it out with "ZM" during the centenary year of 2026. So be listening! The "ZM" prefix is a recognised special-event callsign in New Zealand and has been used before. This occasion is a far happier one than the previous authorisation by Radio Spectrum Management, which allowed the use of "ZM" during the period of the COVID-19 lockdown.

Don't worry, the "ZL" prefix isn't going away for the year. You'll see be hearing for special event callsigns such as ZL100MVL and ZL100AM, which have been approved for use until 31 March.

Here's to the next 100 years for New Zealand's hams!

AMSAT YOUTH INITIATIVE TAKES CLOSER LOOK AT CLIMATE CHANGE

As students return to school after the holiday break, the AMSAT Youth Initiative has released the second installment in its free online series about satellites and their impact on life here on Earth.

The course is called "Satellites and Climate Change" and was written by Eric Sonnenwald, N2XSE, a retired educator in New Jersey. Eric was also the author of the first installment, released in late 2025: "Satellites and Meteorology."

Anyone wanting to help students learn more in the fields of science, technology, engineering art and mathematics will have access to material in the Youth Initiatives program, which will have 14 installments in all.

The program has received two grants from Amateur Radio Digital Communications. Two more courses will be launched online shortly: "Satellites and Pollution Control" and "Satellites and Preservation of Natural Resources." Visit the website buzzsat dot com (buzzsat.com) for more details.

EASING THE WAY FOR BLIND HAMS TO USE DIGITAL MODES

One of the gifts that Darrell Hilliker, NU7I, has provided to users of contemporary technology is his blog, Blind Access Journal. As an advocate for people who are blind like Darrell - or perhaps challenged by low vision or obstacles posed by aging - he has developed his blog to provide resources to developers, decision-makers and other consumers of technology so they can make the modern world more accessible to everyone.

The Arizona radio amateur has now issued a call - a QST in every sense - asking fellow hams to turn their efforts toward making digital mode software such as WSJT-X more accessible too.

Darrell said in a press release that the increasing popularity of digital modes has made it harder for hams with disabilities to participate fully because an accessible user interface is missing from the software. He wrote: [quote] “A month doesn’t go by where I don’t hear at least one conversation on the bands where an older ham is contemplating giving up or curtailing their activities due to a physical disability like arthritis or a visual impairment. We can do better as a community—and we can do it together.”

He told Newsline in an email that he is issuing a call, through his blog, [quote] "to inspire and engage members of the amateur radio community." [endquote] He said that because WSJT-X is open source, it provides an opportunity for collaboration for improvements in keyboard navigation, screen reader support and overall usability. He hopes his blog can be a place where advocates, developers and users can brainstorm.

To volunteer or simply to learn more, contact Darrell at editor at blindaccessjournal - that's one word - dot com. (editor@blindaccessjournal.com)

LOCAL GOVT., CHILEAN HAMS SIGN EMCOMM CONTRACT

Almost a year ago, 90 percent of Chile was plunged into darkness during a national blackout, causing the government to declare a state of emergency. Recalling that disaster recently, the mayor of the municipality of Villa Alemana, Nelson Estay, said that [quote] "the only ones who were functioning and available were the amateur radio operators." [endquote]

If anything of that magnitude should ever happen again - or, for that matter, should almost any emergency occur at all - the municipality knows that the radio operators are there. Now, however, it has been formalized. The Los Molinos Amateur Radio Club has signed an agreement with Villa Alemana in support of the Communal Emergency Operations Committee

The club's president, Lorenzo Passalacqua, CA2PJP, said the agreement strengthens an already healthy working relationship established some time ago. He said [quote] "All that was missing was the official signing of this agreement." [endquote]

IT'S GROWING SEASON FOR NEW HAM CLUB IN MONTANA

The newly-formed Headwaters Amateur Radio Club of Montana is growing strong: Members are preparing to hold their first meeting on the 19th of January at the Belgrade Chamber of Commerce office -- and making plans to participate in Winter Field Day a week later. According to their publicity director, Carol Flaherty, KA7ROL, the club was formed recently in Belgrade and has already had some success holding a net using 2-meters simplex. They are hoping soon to establish a repeater.

The biggest priority will be to provide emergency communications to the various communities in this snowstorm- and windstorm-prone region in Montana's Gallatin Valley. For now, the club continues in growth mode. Carol said members expect to welcome area university students and some of the Scouts who received their ham licenses after last summer's Camporee.

FIRST DESECHEO ISLAND ACTIVATION SINCE 2009

There has been no amateur activity from Desecheo Island, 13 miles off the Puerto Rican coast, since 2009 – but now the first Puerto Rican-led DXpedition in 48 years to KP5 is preparing for that moment. The organisers, the Manyana DX Foundation and the Vieques Island Amateur Radio Club, are calling the activation of this small uninhabited island a “landmark DXpedition.”

It is a protected nature reserve with strict limits to access, so two self-contained remote deployable units, or RDUs, will be set out in the second week of January. Operators have undergone training specific to the remote activation. They expect to be on the air within 24 hours of RDUs’ deployment, operating around the clock for about 30 days on 160-6 metres, CW, SSB and FT8. A live stream will be available from Club Log.

Of course, expect pileups. The island is the 14th most wanted entity on the DXCC list.

TEXAS FIRM LAUNCHES LARGEST COMMERCIAL SATELLITE

The huge satellite is called BlueBird6 and it was launched on the 23rd of December from India’s Satish Dhawan Space Center, blazing the path to the so-called next-generation constellation of space-based cellular broadband satellites by AST SpaceMobile. The satellite features an array of antennas which, when deployed, compares in size to the dimensions of a tennis court: 693 square feet, or about 64 square metres.

The project by the Texas-based startup is considered a direct rival to SpaceX’s Starlink constellation.

Last September, the FCC’s Space Bureau granted AST SpaceMobile limited use of frequencies in the amateur band between 430 and 440 MHz.

Permission was given on an emergency basis only after overwhelming objections raised by ham radio operators and amateur radio societies worldwide. They argued that alternate UHF frequencies are available for the satellite’s telemetry, tracking and command functions.

NO TIME LIKE THE PRESENT ... MAYBE

A storm-related power cut by the electric utility serving the Boulder campus of the National Institute of Standards and Technology caused a drift in time of 4 millionths of a second in the official time-keeper, the F-4 atomic clock. Those moments are immeasurable and of little importance to most of us - except for those who rely on precision in data centers, global positioning systems, aerospace, telecommunications and the Network Time Protocol service, the timing resource for computer systems.

In the wake of the storm, Jeff Sherman, the physicist who maintains the atomic clocks, reported in a mailing-list post on Google groups that [quote]: "The atomic ensemble time scale at our Boulder campus has failed due to a prolonged utility power outage." [endquote]

By some reports, then, in late December, time literally stood still -- however briefly -- until the switch was made to a backup generator. That cost the F-4 atomic clock its accuracy.

Anticipating the storm with winds of hurricane strength, the NIST had previously advised users to connect to redundant systems at other campuses such as WWV/Fort Collins Colorado, or Gaithersburg, Maryland which would remain unaffected.

As for the F-4 atomic clock in Boulder, the time discrepancy was resolved with the clock's recalibration after power was back on by Sunday, December 21st. It was, of course, just a matter of time.

RAY SOIFER W2RS/SK HONORED AGAIN IN AMSAT CW EVENT

Ray Soifer, W2RS, loved CW and he also loved satellites. Before becoming a Silent Key in March of 2022, Ray gave a gift to both the CW and satellite communities: AMSAT's CW Activity Day, formerly known as AMSAT Straight Key Night.

The annual event has since been renamed the W2RS Memorial AMSAT CW Activity Day and, as always, the on-air action is taking place on January 1st, the same day that the ARRL holds Straight Key Night. Participants use any amateur radio multi-mode satellite to make QSOs using CW on that day between 0000 and 2359 UTC. Although the use of a straight key or a bug is not required, it is strongly encouraged. So are photos and video clips, which operators are invited to share on various social media platforms with amsat as the tag. As for logs, they're not necessary either, but AMSAT would like operators to submit reports to the AMSAT-BB.

One word of caution: operators are urged to use the minimum power necessary to complete their contacts. Constant carrier modes such as CW are capable of disrupting transponders.

MINNESOTA HAM TEAM KEEPS HOLIDAY FEST SAFE AND BRIGHT

The small town of Arlington, Minnesota is always happy to welcome newcomers, particularly at its annual holiday festival, Arli-Dazzle. No doubt there were first-timers among those attending in the estimated crowd size of 10,000 who arrived on December 5th and 6th, feeling the holiday spirit.

Perhaps more importantly, the newcomers included 10 ham radio operators - six of them newly licensed Technicians, with handy-talkies in hand - as part of the team of more than 34 hams who volunteered to ensure that everyone enjoyed this holiday tradition.

Don Burgess, KCØQNA, the emergency radio coordinator for Sibley County, told Newsline in an email: [quote] “This town event is one that a lot of my radio team really looks forward to doing each year regardless of temps or weather conditions. The Local Police Chief looks to us as his reserve officers in many aspects, and we never let him or the community down.” [endquote]

He said the hams traveled from as far away as Minneapolis and St. Paul - the so-called “Twin Cities” an hour away - to make sure things went smoothly, from setting up barricades for the 5K runners to setting up light generators for the parade route. The Sibley Emergency Radio Team Club, with Don as safety and logistics coordinator, have provided that reassuring presence for the past 16 years.

The team is no stranger to community service at dozens of public events - even in nearby towns such as Gaylord. This festival is one that’s special, said Don. [Quote] “It really takes on the mom and pop old days family Christmas vibes for sure.” [Endquote] The team is happy to lend mom and pop a hand.

SILENT KEY: JIM HEATH, W6LG, NOTED YOUTUBE ELMER

In many of the videos on his channel, Jim Heath W6LG, introduces himself as "your YouTube Elmer for ham radio basics." In his easygoing, personable style, Jim explained, in plain and basic language, the mysteries of  SWR, grounding, antennas and dummy loads. A popular presence on YouTube, Jim brought viewers directly into his radio room via a YouTube studio inside his shack.

Jim, who had endured years of hospitalizations following a leukemia diagnosis, became a Silent Key on December 22nd at his California home. He had been a ham since getting his license in 1964 with the callsign WN6JZC. He had held his well-known vanity callsign, W6LG, since 2004. He also grew to love chasing DX and counted among his collection the QSL cards of King Hussein of Jordan JY1 and Father Marshall D. Moran 9N1MM, the first ham radio operator in Nepal.

Jim had also been the owner of High Sierra, which made one of the first screwdriver antennas for mobile HF use.

Over much of his adult life, Jim faced numerous health challenges -- a disabling fall from a roof in 1998 while working as a building inspector; and a series of health crises later, including pulmonary embolisms, congestive heart failure and severe osteoporosis. Then came the news he had leukemia.

In his final months he appeared on Ham Smarter, the YouTube channel of Vince D'Eon VE6LK, and the two became friends. Vince described Jim as [quote] "a good friend to many and an Elmer to all." Announcing Jim's death, Vince urged hams to continue visiting the W6LG channel so they can [quote] "learn from the best." [endquote]

Jim was in his mid-70’s.

SILENT KEY: JIM SHAFFER, KE5AL, ADVOCATE FOR BLIND HAMS

The amateur radio software developed by Jim Shaffer, KE5AL, gave hams who are blind the ability to control and monitor their HF rigs without needing a sighted person's assistance, providing the freedom of independent operating in their shacks. The retired IBM software engineer knew that operating challenge all too well: he was blind since birth.

Jim became a Silent Key on the 2nd of December. According to his online obituary, the Texas resident died of complications from Parkinson's disease.

Jim's well-known applications, JJRadio and JJ Flex Radio, attracted attention for their promise of accessibility when used with many different radio models. His development of the free programs brought him to the attention of host Hap Holly/KC9RP, host of the RAIN Report, which featured an interview with Jim. Hap, who became a Silent Key earlier this year, had also been blind since birth -- and like Jim, also supported the Handiham progam, which trains and serves the community of hams with disabilities.

Non-hams in Central Texas also knew Jim well for his other deep involvement: He was a versatile musician and popular fiddler in a number of music groups, including the Piney Grove Ramblers.

BOUVET DXPEDITIONER IS HAM RADIO UNIVERSITY FEATURED SPEAKER

Don't forget the regional amateur radio educational event taking place on Long Island, New York: Ham Radio University which - appropriately enough - is taking place on a university campus. Long Island University-Post campus will be once again hosting the all-day program on Saturday the 10th of January. Now in its 27th year, Ham Radio University draws amateurs from around the region and also serves as the Long Island Section Convention for the ARRL.

This year's featured speaker will be Adrian KO8SCA, who has been preparing for a return trip to Bouvet Island as co-leader of a 24-member team. The day's offerings will include 23 forums and, of course, a discussion about POTA, Morse Code and STEM education.

The date is coming up fast. Admission is free but a $10 donation is suggested. Visit hamradiouniversity dot org for more details (hamradiouniversity.org)

UNIVERSAL POSTAL CONGRESS ENDS USE OF IRCS in 2026

Although International Reply Coupons, or IRCs, are still being used by some DX-chasing hams in their requests for QSL cards, that option is set to end by this time next year. Countries belonging to the Universal Postal Union have voted to discontinue their use effective 31 December 2026. The vote was taken in September at the 28th Universal Postal Congress held in Dubai. There are a number of IRCs already in circulation that bear the expiration date of 31 December 2025 and they are expected to be honoured for another year.

In an era marked by a migration toward confirmations on digital platforms and in digital QSOs, the move brings an already disappearing amateur radio practice to its conclusion. A statement from the Universal Postal Union said the sunset of the IRC, first put into practice in 1907, was [quote] “a natural progression within the broader transformation of international postal services in alignment with the digital practices and modern outlook of their customers.” [Endquote]

SUCCESS WITH STUDENT DMR PROJECT IN INDIA

The challenge of teaching science and communication to disadvantaged students in the Indian state of Karnataka got a big boost one year ago when the Karnataka Residential Educational Institutions Society turned 20 of its schools into ham shacks. Some of the teachers became hams and, in turn, guided their young students in grades 6 through 12 along the way. Forty students became hams and were soon using the DMR hand-held radios, participating in the daily net and connecting to the world.

More broadly, with the installation of DMR base stations by the Indian Institute of Hams, the schools themselves became communication hubs that could be used when natural disasters knocked out conventional means of contact in their remote rural communities.

The past year has been one of challenge and innovation for Shirin, VU3DBO, one of the 20 teachers in the school system who received her ham radio certificate from the Ministry of Communication. The science teacher wove the radio curriculum into the classes where she also taught about energy, technology, the environment and space.

Shirin told Newsline in an email that the hands-on STEM learning, the expanded communication skills and the exposure to team work has sparked the students' curiosity and built confidence over the past year. She said amateur radio was [quote] "a wonderful hobby, fun in a hands-on way." [endquote]

AN "ANTENNA RACING" EVENT THAT'S ALL IN GOOD SPORT

The quartet of contenders were locked in what one on-site moderator called [quote] "a battle of pure technical fury."[endquote] Their telescoping masts, their coax and their antenna analysers were ready for action.  Introducing this world-class portable antenna-building competition was Amateur Radio Newsline's own Jim Meachen ZL2BHF, a commentator on the sidelines along with event organiser, Nick ZL2NEB.

There were more than a few tense moments in this Kaikoura park -- and there was no room for cheating: Speed of deployment and low SWR were everything. This event showcased what Jim called [quote] "high-octane engineering athletics." [endquote] It was all up to Malcolm, ZL4MWB, Nick, ZL2NEB, Graeme, ZL1BDS and Stewart, ZL2STR, each taking turns, one by one, to show that their antennas could resonate with the best of them.

Nick, who had jokingly suggested creating the competition, was pleased to see POTA/SOTA activators embrace this chance to rev their engines. Like Formula 1 cars, competitors had to stay on track.

So who won the coveted 40m dipole that had been donated by Greg ZL1GUD from the HamShack? Tune in to find out, sports fans: We're providing the YouTube link to the recorded action in the text version of this newscast at arnewsline.org

Nick, meanwhile, believes that it might be time for these antenna athletes to go for the gold. He told Newsline in an email: [quote] "I think that we really have a good chance of it being included in an upcoming Olympics at some point." [endquote]

HAMCATION ANNOUNCES 3 TO RECEIVE HONORS

Newsline congratulates three award recipients to be honored at HamCation 2026 in February in Orlando, Florida. Kansas amateur Tony Milluzzi, KD8RTT, has been named the 2026 Gordon West Ham Ambassador of the Year for his support of the Collegiate Amateur Radio Program. The Carole Perry Educator of the Year award is being given to Nathaniel Frissel, W2NAF for his ongoing work with the HamSCI citizen science education program which he founded and continues to grow. The recipient of the new Amateur Radio Hero Award, is a name well-known to Newsline and our listeners: Ambarish Nag Biswas, VU2JFA. The West Bengal, India, amateur has been chosen for [quote] "his outstanding support of local and national emergency operations and law enforcement during life-threatening events where lives were saved by his actions." [endquote] He and his club are two-time winners of the former Amateur Radio Newsline International Newsmaker Award.

Congratulations to everyone. Hamcation will take place on the 13th through to the 15th of February.