Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2108 for Friday, March 23, 2018 Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2108 with a release date of Friday, March 23, 2018 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1. The following is a QST. Alabama hams take to repeaters as tornadoes touch down. A ham in Colombia helps a German amateur in distress -- and does your pet know Morse Code? All this and more as Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2108 comes your way right now. ** BILLBOARD CART ** HAMS RESPOND AS TORNADOES TOUCH DOWN IN ALABAMA NEIL/ANCHOR: In our top story this week, tornadoes swept through Alabama here in the U.S. on Monday, March 19th, the night before the start of spring. Hams were on the air delivering information and assisting in rescue efforts, as we hear from Bobby Best WX4ALA. BOBBY: Ham radio operators across north and east Alabama assisted in passing ground truth storm reports to both the National Weather Service offices in Huntsville and Birmingham. Amateur radio operators and members of the North Alabama and Southern Middle Tennessee SKYWARN groups linked up multiple repeaters to cover that entire region and assisted the Huntsville NWS office with reports on multiple tornadoes that struck north Alabama. Amateur radio operators in east Alabama on the WB4GNA repeater atop Mount Cheaha, the tallest peak in the state, assisted not only with passing storm reports but also volunteer efforts in the wake of a major tornado that struck the city of Jacksonville Alabama as well as other portions of east Alabama late Monday night. As of last report late Monday night, volunteers were headed to Jacksonville from as far away as Anniston, Oxford and Birmingham Alabama to assist in rescue efforts. All in all, though, considering the fact that the storm prediction center had much of Alabama under a marginal risk for severe weather, things could have been much worse. For Amateur Radio Newsline reporting from Jacksonville Alabama I'm Bobby Best WX4ALA. *** AMSAT's HAMVENTION TEAM NEEDS VOLUNTEERS NEIL/ANCHOR: Here's another opportunity for hams to be helpful - and it's even easier if you happen to be going to Hamvention this year. Stephen Kinford N8WB explains. STEPHEN: What are you doing May 17th through May 20th? If Hamvention is included in any of your plans on those days, you may want to think about helping out the AMSAT Hamvention Team, which is looking for help in setting up or staffing the AMSAT booth during the big event at the Greene County Fairground and Expo Center in Xenia, Ohio. If you aren't sure how to assist at the booth when visitors stop by, AMSAT has plenty of Elmers to train you. If you just want to help with setup or tear-down, that's OK too. Contact Phil Smith W1EME if you're interested in being a part of the AMSAT presence in Ohio this year. Email him at w1eme at amsat dot org. For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Stephen Kinford N8WB. (SOUTHGATE, AMSAT) ** GERMAN AMATEUR'S CALL FOR HELP GOES GLOBAL NEIL/ANCHOR: This next story is about a disabled radio operator and his cries for help that were heard - quite literally - around the world. Here's Ed Durrant DD5LP. ED'S REPORT: Erding Radio Club member Lothar Fröhlich, whose call signs are DK8LRF and HK3JCL, was on the air from his QTH in Colombia, South America recently talking to friends in New York and Germany, when he heard a voice call out repeatedly. At first he thought it was someone was trying to break into the QSO but then he realized it was a ham in distress. He recognized the voice - this was an amateur in Dingden on the German-Dutch border, a ham with whom he enjoys ragchews often. The ham, who is disabled and relies on a wheelchair, had fallen and was home alone. His radio was on, fortunately with the transmitter in "VOX" mode so his cries activated the microphone Lothar called for any German hams who could copy him, asking them to please notify local police. Then, using EchoLink, he reached a repeater in Isen, east of Munich. A ham in Eichstätt in Bavaria responded and also called police who responded immediately. Ham radio had made distance vanish. The ham in distress was 5 metres from the microphone but his call went through anyway -- and those who assisted astounded the police by the fact that the call was started by a ham in Colombia on the other side of the world. For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Ed Durrant DD5LP. ** STANDING WHERE WARTIME HISTORY WAS MADE NEIL/ANCHOR: Any ham radio operator can appreciate the power of code, even if they themselves have never touched a straight key. One exhibit in the UK has taken the appeal of code several steps further, as we hear from Jeremy Boot G4NJH. JEREMY: A new exhibit at Bletchley Park doesn't just show an important part of World War Two history the way it happened - the exhibit has been established on the very site WHERE that history took place. Stepping inside the Bletchley Park building known as Hut 11A, visitors will be able to learn the story of the Bombe machines located there to help Allied intelligence crack the mysteries of the Enigma code and decrypt Nazi messages during the Second World War. The now-historic team behind that effort comprised Alan Turing, Gordon Welchman and serveral others. The exhibit invites museum visitors to [quote] "discover the truth and stand where they stood." [endquote]. The exhibit is a permanent one and so hopefully there will be plenty of time for that. For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Jeremy Boot G4NJH. (RSGB) ** NETS OF NOTE: THE COLORADO ASTRONOMY NET NEIL/ANCHOR: Our occasional series, Nets of Note, looks at how and why hams gather on the air to share viewpoints and interests. This week we're introduced to the Colorado Astronomy Net by Paul Braun WD9GCO. PAUL: As the Newsline office space nerd, this week's Net of Note combines two of my favorite things - space and ham radio. Burness Ansell, KI0AR, has been hosting the weekly Colorado Astronomy Net for over 20 years now. Ansell explains how it started: ANSELL: I've always been interested in astronomy and I started this net back in 1996. I just wanted to combine radio with astronomy and share my love of astronomy and looking at the night skies and how it could also relate to amateur radio. PAUL: The net covers basically anything having to do with astronomy, according to Ansell: ANSELL: I usually start off with phases of the moon and stuff like that - where the planets are through the week, rise and set times, any other planetary special events like conjunctions or photo ops. And then do some JPL bulletins or whatever sources I can find about what's up with the night skies, what's going on in the world of astronomy or cosmology - things like that. Radio astronomy, especially. If I can find clips of stellar noise or pulsars, I've done that before. PAUL: The hams that check into the net are from all over the country and have varied interests. Ansell explained: ANSELL: We have one member that's doing observational astronomy looking at galaxies. We have one teacher who lives up in Berthoud who does radio astronomy with his students at the Little Thompson Observatory up there and he's tracking meteor scatter. He's got students now pointing their dishes at the center of our galaxy and trying to record radio waves from there. PAUL: If you'd like to join in, you can find the schedule, repeater information, and the Echolink and Allstar nodes at Ansell's website at www.KI0AR.com/astro.html. You can also subscribe to his monthly astronomy newsletter from the site. So, keep one hand on the mic, and your eyes on the stars and check out the Colorado Astronomy Net every Tuesday night. For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Paul Braun, WD9GCO. NEIL/ANCHOR: If you have an interesting Net to share with us, write us at newsline at arnewsline dot org (newsline@arnewsline.org) ** NOMINATE THE NEXT 'YOUNG HAM OF THE YEAR' NEIL/ANCHOR: We remind you again that the Bill Pasternak/Amateur Radio Newsline Young Ham of the Year award is an honor for radio operators 18 and younger who hold licenses in the U.S. or Canada. We are accepting nominations until May 31. If you know of a deserving candidate who has been of service to the community or helped improve amateur radio for those in the hobby, submit his or her name for consideration. You can find the nomination forms on our website at arnewsline dot org (arnewsline.org) under the YHOTY tab. The award is named in memory of Amateur Radio Newsline founder Bill Pasternak WA6ITF. Candidates for the award must be 18 or younger and reside in the US (or its possessions) or Canada. Nominees must hold a valid Amateur Radio license issued by the US or Canada. The award will be presented at the Huntsville Hamfest in Huntsville Alabama in August. ** BREAK HERE: Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the N2JDW repeater in New York City on Monday nights at 8 local time, just before the Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Service Net. ** INDONESIAN HAMS ARE ON BOARD FOR ON-LINE TESTING NEIL/ANCHOR: Big news for license applicants in Indonesia. Tests are being given differently now, as we hear from Jason Daniels VK2LAW. JASON'S REPORT: When it comes down to doing things online, more and more countries appear to be climbing on board - particularly with respect to conducting ham radio license exams. Indonesian hams in the Bulukumba district of South Sulawesi province are now taking their test - which was to be March 24th and 25th - and the move was credited by officials there are showing authorities' commitment to making things easier and more transparent. This is a "first" for the nation and has been a change welcomed by the Amateur Radio Organization of Indonesia, known as ORARI, as well as those sitting for the test. According to authorities, the move to e-Licensing will allow for greater automation in the process and provide great savings by making the process paperless. The ORARI said that following the March testing, other regions are expected to follow suit, including the province of South Sumatra. For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Jason Daniels VK2LAW. NEIL/ANCHOR: We received word late that two nine-year-olds were among those to sit for the exam and they successfully answered the questions. Ordinarily that would make them eligible for their licenses. In Indonesia, however, youngsters under the age of 14 are not permitted to hold an amateur license. Are other reforms in the works? Newsline will let you know what we learn. (SOUTHGATE, ORARI) ** THELMA SOUPER MEMORIAL CONTEST CANCELLED NEIL/ANCHOR: A annual popular contest hosted by YLs in New Zealand has had to be scrapped this year, as we hear from Jim Meachen ZL2BHF. JIM'S REPORT: There's disappointing news for fans of the annual Thelma Souper Memorial Contest held annually in April. This year's event has been cancelled, as reported by the New Zealand Association of Radio Transmitters. The popular competition, which typically runs for two evenings, honors Thelma Souper ZL2JO, who became a Silent Key in December of 1977. Thelma was a founder of the New Zealand Women Amateur Radio Operators and served as its secretary. The contest was begun in 1976 as the WARO contest but it was renamed in 1978 at the group's annual general meeting. No additional details were given about the cancellation or its prospects for next year. For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Jim Meachen, ZL2BHF. (NZART) ** RADIO'S WORLD CUP COINCIDES WITH 'THAT OTHER ONE' NEIL/ANCHOR: If you're a good sport about radio and you also happen to be a good sport about soccer, you'll want to give extra attention to the World Radio Team Championships in Germany, as we hear from Ed Durrant DD5LP. ED'S REPORT: It's all coming together, they're all coming together! What are we talking about? - Well the World Cup of Amateur Radio - the World Radio Team Championships in Wittenberg, Germany this year from July 11th through 17th. There's a full program surrounding the 24 hours of actual competition on the Saturday and Sunday. The opening ceremony on Thursday has the Introduction of all competitors, referees and sponsors and the closing ceremony on Monday has the award presentations. Both take place in the historic Exerzierhalle hall from the 19th. Century, with dancing late into the night after the closing ceremony at the nearby "Stadthaus." Six hundred attendees are expected at the opening and 900 at the closing ceremony. If Germany wins that "other World Cup" - the soccer one, on Sunday the 15th of July - there could be dancing in the streets! YASME is sponsoring the "Ham Widows Ball" on the Wednesday evening which brings together spouses of competitors and referees. To book a place at the opening or closing ceremony or to book a trip around the region the website booking.wrtc2018.de/en/ is now available. For those not able to get to Wittenberg in July as a competitor, judge, helper or visitor, there are several on-air award schemes that will run during the event. WAWRTC - Worked all WRTC stations. WRTC Sprint - work all of the WRTC stations in the shortest time you can - in less than 24 hours. Most QSOs - up to 630 QSOs are possible - how many can you manage? WRTC Distance challenge - based not only on the number of QSOs but also the total of all the distances. One competition that is already running is VOTA or Volunteers on the air. Collect the Volunteers allocated numbers to enter this award scheme. There are about 300 current volunteers worldwide so they shouldn't be too difficult to find on the air! To find details on anything to do with WRTC 2018 and to keep up-to-date with what's happening go to the WRTC2018.de website where you can also still donate to help support the event. For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Ed Durrant DD5LP. ** WORLD OF DX NEIL/ANCHOR: In the world of DX, be listening for Sergio, IZ3NXC, operating as 9A8NXC from Pag Island from March 30th through April 2nd. You can find him on 80/40/20/15/10 meters using SSB and the Digital modes. QSL via ClubLog's OQRS or via IK3GES direct. Members of the Curva do Rio Group will be using the call sign PR2CI from Couves Island between April 6th to 8th. Find them on 80-10 meters using CW, SSB and the Digital modes. QSL via the Bureau, ClubLog's OQRS or LoTW. For direct, via PY2AE with self-addressed envelope and two dollars in U.S. currency. In Belize, find Victor, WB0TEV, active as V31VP until the 27th of March on 80-10 meters. He plans to operate some RTTY with a special session focusing on Asia starting around 2200z on March 26th. Send QSLs to V31VP via WB0TEV, direct, by the Bureau or ClubLog's OQRS. No LoTW or eQSL. (OHIO PENN DX) ** KICKER: PUTTING THE 'HAM' IN HAMSTER NEIL/ANCHOR: Our last story this week is about a talented and tiny pet - and it may at long last shed light on why it's no coincidence that the first three letters of "hamster" spell "ham." With that story, here's Paul Braun WD9GCO. PAUL: Some people enjoy the sound of Morse code. Some don't. But what about our little furry friends? Has anyone asked them? Kurt Zoglmann, AD0WE, had wanted to learn Morse as a child, but didn't really pursue it until recently. He then discovered something strange during his practice sessions. ZOGLMANN: You know, I noticed after a while that our little hamster, Waffles, she'd normally wake up around 11 o'clock at night but she would wake up early whenever I would start practicing. I didn't really think too much of it. I noticed that when they're happy or excited that they have a tendency to chirp, so I started putting two and two together that the frequency of the chirp was not too far away from my preferred frequency on practicing with Morse code. (1:05) PAUL: Zoglmann couldn't actually ask Waffles what she was thinking, but has a theory: (:05) ZOGLMANN: From little Waffles' perspective, I think she probably was mistaking it for a nearby hamster that was just extraordinarily happy and she wanted to know what all that was about. PAUL: Zoglmann would have been tempted to just write it off as a strange behavioral quirk in Waffles. However: ZOGLMANN: After her passing, we decided to get another hamster. Because the same behavior started to happen, I was like, "This is just so weird to be a coincidence!" so that inspired me to write a cute story to try to capture the call of hamster being Morse code. PAUL: Zoglmann figured that he should have some illustrations to go with the story, so he asked his husband, an artist, to draw a few. He ended up with a painting of a hamster working a straight key. Who knows? Given enough training, perhaps the new hamster can help out during contests. Will probably need a much smaller key, though. Or a teeny-tiny paddle. How would that be logged? AD0WE/H for "hamster"? For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Paul Braun, WD9GCO. NEIL/ANCHOR: Just a postscript here -- next time you're in a QSO with another ham using CW, before you accuse their station of having a "chirp" in the signal, it pays to ask first if their hamster needs adjusting. ** NEWSCAST CLOSE: With thanks to Alan Labs; the ARRL; the Amateur Radio Organization of Indonesia; the BBC; CQ Magazine; Hap Holly and the Rain Report; the IARU; the Irish Radio Transmitters Society; New Zealand Association of Radio Transmitters; Ohio-Penn DX Bulletin; Radio Society of Great Britain; Southgate Amateur Radio News; Ted Randall's QSO Radio Show; Wireless Institute of Australia; WTWW Shortwave; and you our listeners, that's all from the Amateur Radio Newsline. Please send emails to our address at newsline@arnewsline.org. More information is available at Amateur Radio Newsline's only official website at www.arnewsline.org. For now, with Caryn Eve Murray, KD2GUT, at the news desk in New York, and our news team worldwide, I'm Neil Rapp WB9VPG in Bloomington Indiana saying 73 and as always we thank you for listening. Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) is Copyright 2018. All rights reserved.