APRS DIGIPEATER TO BE FEATURED AT HAMCATION

If you’re visiting the Hamcation fairgrounds between the 13th and 15th of February and you’re bringing along an APRS-enabled device, tune it to 147.585, using a path of TEMP1-1. That will get you into the digipeater being set up by the Daytona Beach Amateur Radio Association, enabling you to connect with others at Hamcation, sending and receiving messages.

The Dayton group is sponsoring the digipeater activity and calling it APRS Day Out, allowing radio operators to practice the kind of networking skills that would come in handy during events like Hamcation - or during a crisis.

Once you’re connected, your first message should, of course, be “CQ,” to let everyone know you’ve arrived on the network.

See more details about APRS Day Out by following the link in the text version of this week’s newscast at arnewsline.org

CALIFORNIA HAMS BROADEN WINTER FIELD DAY PARTICIPATION

The Tehachapi Amateur Radio Association, AC6EE, is calling the event the inaugural Wintertide Disaster Outreach. This year’s exercise on January 24th is combining all the basics of this important amateur-radio preparedness drill with roles for the public safety and disaster response agencies that they customarily work with during crises. That means the Salvation Army, local search and rescue and representatives from the city of Tehachapi will be among those on hand.

The group’s Field Day coordinator Theresa Scott, W5ILP, and its public affairs officer, Micah Martin, KN6VUT, told the Tehachapi News that including the community partners simply made sense this year since they are part of the realtime response team with the hams when calamity strikes.

The group is also hoping that bringing this expanded public visibility to Winter Field Day might also inspire more people, including spectators who come to learn more, to pursue their amateur radio licenses.

Micah told the newspaper that the Winter Field Day Association, which supports this exercise every January, was not aware of any other Winter Field Day events that had planned such a wide-ranging involvement this year.

It’s being done for a good purpose, according to Theresa, who told the newspaper [quote]: “We really want to encourage people to get on board with this…It can be a lifesaving tool.” [endquote]

FCC SET TO OK NEW UNLICENSED DEVICE CATEGORY ON 6 GHz

The Federal Communications Commission intends to approve unlicensed operation on 6 GHz by a new category of devices known as "GVP" devices - which stands for geofenced variable power. The devices are commonly used with short-range hotspots, indoor navigation, automation and augmented or virtual reality devices. A number of tech companies, such as Apple, Microsoft and Qualcomm, have been advocating for the move.

The FCC will grant the devices a higher power than previously permitted for other unlicensed devices, and require them to use geofencing systems so they do not interfere with radio astronomers and fixed microwave links

The FCC's vote is set for the 29th of January.

UK REGULATOR EYES FREQUENCY-SHARING BY DEVICES

In the UK, the regulator Ofcom has proposed changes in radio-spectrum that would make it Europe’s first country to implement the sharing of the same frequencies between two different technologies. The proposal looks specifically at the upper portion of the 6 GHz band, where priority usage would be given in one portion to Wi-Fi devices such a routers and another to mobile devices, such as cell masts.

Ofcom said the move to this so-called prioritised spectrum would most directly benefit businesses, households and the UK economy in general. The change would affect indoor and lower-power Wi-Fi, and any higher-power Wi-Fi under the control of an Automated Frequency Control system as protection against interference.

The regulator will be accepting comments on the proposal no later than 20 March.

SILENT KEY: "LINUX IN THE HAMSHACK" HOST RUSS WOODMAN, K5TUX

Family, friends, and followers of the popular "Linux in the Hamshack" podcast are grieving the loss of its host Russ Woodman, K5TUX. Russ became a Silent Key on the 14th of January. His death came 16 days after hospitalization for complications from influenza.

His wife, Cheryl, W5MOO, who posted daily updates on his condition on Facebook, announced his death.

The news hit family, friends, and his followers hard. On his YouTube channel, Russ tells viewers that although he first began Linux in the Hamshack to give amateurs options beyond using closed-source software, his efforts gained momentum and expanded into podcasts, video tutorials, and other activities. As his constituency grew, he proudly called Linux in the Hamshack (quote) "a podcast, a state of mind, and a phenomenon" (endquote)

For more than 15 years, his podcast has been co-hosted by numerous fellow amateurs, including his wife, Cheryl.

Russ, who was first licensed in 1993, was 56.

SILENT KEY: ADOLF SHEPHERD, VU2AF, HELPED GROW HAMFEST INDIA

An enthusiastic CW operator who was also widely known for having a warm and dignified voice on the air, Adolf Shepherd, VU2AF, believed in extending friendship through the airwaves. Those who joined him on the evening HF net, AIRNET India, looked forward to the welcome they always received from him as net control. One radio operator, Sandeep Baruah VU2MUE, wrote in a Facebook post that Adolf had a strong and positive presence on the net. He said [Quote] "To countless listeners, it felt as though he was attempting to unite the entire nation of India through a single, thirty-minute radio transmission, binding distant operators together in a shared moment of communication and purpose." [endquote]

Adolf's enthusiasm and hard work is also credited with having transformed a modest regional hamfest into what is now known as HamFest India, a popular national event.

Adolf, who was first licenced in 1966, was reported to be a Silent Key on the 7th of January. No other details were given. On his page on QRZ.com, he described himself as [quote] "one of the few oldtimers still on the air." [endquote]

RADIO NOISE CANCELS, DIVERTS FLIGHTS IN GREECE

Flights into Greece were temporarily grounded, delayed or diverted this month after an unexplained noise was heard over radio frequencies that are used to communicate with aircraft. The air-traffic radio blackout caused a loss of all frequencies, according to reports from the Association of Greek Air Traffic Controllers. The Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority told the media that the cause was a [quote] "continuous involuntary emission" [endquote] disrupting communications on the 4th of January.

Authorities said they were able to rule out any likelihood of a deliberate attack but they were continuing their investigation into what they called an unprecedented outage. It was suspected that the two-hour standstill was the result of some unknown technical issue. A report by the BBC said that one theory reported was that a station in the mountains near Athens had failed.

Greece's Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport said that there are plans to upgrade the country's aging air navigation systems and have the modernization in place by 2028.

FINANCIAL TRADERS RENEW PLEA FOR USE OF HF BANDS

The Shortwave Modernization Coalition is pressing the FCC for an answer to its petition, which was filed in the spring of 2023. The group is seeking the authorization to transmit on the bands between 2 MHz and 25 MHz under Part 90 of the FCC rules. A number of the bands being sought either include or are adjacent to amateur radio bands.

The coalition's original filing drew substantial opposition from amateur radio operators and the ARRL, citing the potential for interference. The ARRL said that in 2024, the IARU's monitoring system detected what was believed to be HF trading interference on the amateur portion of 20 meters.

The US Coast Guard also objected to the petition, saying additional traffic would raise the noise floor for everyone.

Last year, three of the firms were given FCC approval as experimental licensees. They were prohibited from charging fees or receiving payments for anything related to their on-the-air operations. The coalition believes that granting permanency will solidify their status in business and will not create interference, as feared, because the technology exists to locate open channels.

WHEN HAMS CARE TO TAKE CARE

Forty-eight Novembers have come and gone since Doug KC2YME and his wife, Linda, were married and they have rarely been apart. The couple raised three sons and even as Doug pursued his career, he found joy in his off-hours as a ham radio operator. Those off-hours are precious to him now since he retired to become fulltime caregiver to his wife, who has dementia and requires kidney dialysis. Being deaf, she either reads his lips or increasingly relies on messages being written down.

Still, amateur radio is there for him and, at times, Doug’s ragchews have put him in touch with any number of amateurs who, like him, are devoting time – sometimes fulltime – to a family member’s complex needs. He is now hoping to bring together these kindred spirits to gather on 40 metres to share insights, stories and ultimately friendship. He is looking for suggestions as to the date and time for such a net. Anyone wishing to join to or learn more can contact him at k c 2 y me ham @ gmail.com

HAM CLUB CW ACTIVITY BUILDS NEWCOMERS' CONFIDENCE

The activity is called "CQ XING," or "CQ Crossing," and it was launched on the 1st of January by the A1Club to help new CW operators overcome their fear of having QSOs longer than the customary short exchange. Described as a "crossing to meet more CW friends," the activity centers around 7.030 MHz, particularly on Fridays from 1300 to 1500 UTC. The international club, which is based in Japan, said in its announcement that while a simple exchange of RSTs is often fine, amateurs engaging in "CQ XING" (SEE CUE EXXING} are leaving the opportunity open for something a bit longer - even a ragchew. The club said that calling CQ in this manner conveys [quote] "our shared desire to operate with consideration and respect, making it easier for CW beginners to participate...." [endquote]

Any ham hearing the message "CQ A1C XING" is welcome to reply. A speed of between 10 and 20 wpm is suggested.

To find out more about the A1 club, visit the link https://a1club.org/A1_club_e.htm

DX REBEL GROUP EXPEDITES CONWAY REEF PLANS

The Rebel DX Group has announced that they expect to face fully restricted physical access to Conway Reef but are nonetheless hoping to activate the site before the new limitations begin. The team posted a notice on various DX news sites saying [quote] "We are quickly organizing a trip to 3D2/C before the new restrictions take place." [endquote] The team reports that Fiji's Ministry of Fisheries will soon designate the site as a restricted-access zone. No specific dates were provided in their announcement -- either for the activation plans or the start of the restrictions.

A trip to Conway Reef would mark a fourth return there. The Rebel DX group activated it in May of 2024 as 3D2CCC, facing numerous challenges, including very windy conditions and issues with birds interfering with the equipment.

UK TELEGRAPHY STATION MARKS 125th ANNIVERSARY

The commercial telegraphy station that opened in 1901 at the Lizard Wireless Station captured the imagination of the pioneer Guglielmo Marconi. He used it as a test site while planning what was to become part of his historic transatlantic transmissions from nearby Poldhu in December of that year. By then, radio had already emerged as a prominent communication force: Just 23 days after the Lizard station opened, its operators received the first over-the-horizon wireless signals sent from St Catherine’s Point on the Isle of Wight. It was a record-setting moment.

The station's historic callsign, GB4LWS, is back on the air throughout the month of January. Ham radio operators from the Cornish Radio Amateur Club join Geoff GØFHT and Tim MØAFJ of the National Trust to mark the anniversary.

Geoff, who is the Lizard's amateur radio operations manager, told Newsline that the celebration recognises the station's role in creating the foundation for our modern connected world.

GERMAN AMATEURS' ACCESS TO 70 MHz BAND IN LIMBO

In Germany, amateurs' use of the 70 MHz band appears to be in limbo as of January 1st. The annual temporary-use permit that had been in place expired on the 31st of December. The regulator has taken no action to renew it.

The Novice-level -- the middle licence class in Germany -- amateur radio licenses have had temporary permission to use the 6-metre band. The nation's regulator, BNETzA a Federal Agency, has not extended these operating privileges for Class E license holders. Any amateurs wishing to transmit on 50 MHz in Germany must hold a Class A, full license, which has had permanent access to the band since June 2024.

MINNESOTA AMATEURS HONOR WW2 MILITARY CHAPLAIN

Father George Metcalf, who held the callsign WØJH, also held faith in the troops he served under Gen. George Patton -- and that favorable weather would aid the Allies' efforts during the Battle of the Bulge. With the help of a fellow military chaplain, the priest offered a prayer for the Allies to enter the key battle under fair skies.

In the decade following the war's end, the Episcopal priest made his home at what is now the Belwin Conservancy’s Savanna Center in Afton, Minnesota. On January 9th, 10th and 11th, the Stillwater Amateur Radio Association will be on the air from the priest's former home to honor him and will be using his original callsign. They will be joined by Father Brian K. Burgess, KD4UTL, an Episcopal bishop who will be visiting from Illinois to operate with the hams and officiate on Sunday at a local service.

NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR CONTEST HALL OF FAME

The nomination period is also open through to the 1st of March for the Contest Hall of Fame, which is being managed by the World Wide Radio Operators Foundation. Originally established by CQ magazine in 1986, candidates for inclusion are those who have personal operating achievements but also provided meaningful support to others in pursuit of contesting excellence. Recent inductees include Uli Weiss, DJ2YA and Pat Barkey, N9RV. The hall of fame also includes Silent Key Dick Ross, K2MGA, president of CQ publishing.

For details visit the website contesthof.com

HALL OF FAME NOMINATION PERIOD OPENS

Nominations are open now through to the 31st of March for candidates to be nominated for entry to the Heritage CQ Amateur Radio Hall of Fame. Licensed hams and any individuals whose actions have an impact on amateur radio are eligible.

The Heritage CQ Amateur Radio Hall of Fame continues the tradition established in 2001 by CQ magazine, which has ceased publication. Hamgallery oversees the hall of fame and is accepting nominations sent to the attention of Tom Roscoe K8CX at k8cx@hamgallery.com

A diverse group of licensed amateurs will review the nominations. Please ensure that the words "CQ Amateur Radio Hall of Fame" appear in your email's subject line.

There will be a maximum of three inductees.

EXPERIMENTAL HF STATIONS LOSE CALLSIGN-ID WAIVER

Experimental HF stations that had previously held waivers exempting them from station identification are now being required to transmit their assigned callsigns at least once every half-hour. The FCC sent letters in December to those stations who held the temporary waivers saying it was dropping the exemptions following complaints of interference from other spectrum users. The experimental licenses are for stations operating on the band between 2 and 25 MHz.

A posting on Radio World reported the change, which first appeared in Experimental Radio News from Bennett Kobb, AK4AV

The FCC has said that the identification must be in either by voice or Morse Code and that digital encoding and digital modulation must be disabled during the ID.

NEW HOLLAND RADIO SHACK ACQUIRES QUICKSILVER RADIO

Quicksilver Radio Products, the popular Connecticut-based business established by John Bartscherer, N1GNV, two decades ago, is relocating to Pennsylvania as a division of the New Holland Radio Shack.

John, who was widely known as John Bee, became a Silent Key in October of 2025 while he was hospitalized. The death of the popular and personable radio amateur also drew concerns among loyal longtime customers that his business would permanently close its doors. In a late December announcement that appeared in the QRZ.com forums and on Facebook, the company said it was in the process of moving its inventory to its new location. Quicksilver said that the company also planned to have a presence at Hamcation in Orlando, Florida in February.

The business' website, qsradio.com , is also operating again.

MONTENEGRO LAUNCHES FIRST SATELLITE

The small Balkan nation of Montenegro finished 2025 by taking a history-making step into space with the launch of its first satellite.

Weighing just under 2 kilogrammes, the 1U CubeSat began its journey on the 28th of December aboard a Soyuz carrier rocket from Russia's new cosmodrome near the border with China. A project of Montenegro Space Research, it is designed to collect data for transmission back to Earth. On board are a high-resolution camera, solar panels and a variety of sensors - all designed to function throughout the satellite's three-year mission in low-earth orbit.

Montenegro's amateur radio association announced that it received its first telemetry signals from the satellite on the 31st of December, adding that it planned to donate an antenna to the space research organisation for everyday reception.

The satellite has been named Luca [pronounced: LOO CHA], which is Montenegrin for "light."

SWEEPING REGULATION CHANGES FOR UK DRONES

As of January 1st, the landscape for drone operators has also changed in the UK, under new Civil Aviation Authority regulations. Each drone to be sold must carry Class Marks that reflect compliance with that particular aircraft's technical and safety standards. The Class Marks are similar to those used in the EU and cover where and how the drone can be flown.

There is also an array of new regulations covering different weights of drones and their permitted proximity to people - or crowds of people. Drones carrying cameras, and weighing at least 100 grams, are also required to have a Flyer ID. A Remote ID is also required to transmit the drone's identification and its location while airborne.

The new regulations apply to drone use by hobbyists as well as professionals. The class-based regulations do not apply to drones purchased before the first of this year. They will instead operate under the weight-based rules.

For specific rules, visit caa.co.uk/drones