Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2154 for Friday, February 8, 2019 Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2154 with a release date of Friday, February 8th, 2019 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1. The following is a QST. Big changes for amateur tests and licenses in Australia. The ARRL's emergency preparedness manager steps down -- an amateur group prepares for serious talk about tower safety. All this and more as Amateur Radio Newsline Number 2154 comes your way right now. ** BILLBOARD CART ** AUSTRALIAN AMATEUR SERVICES MOVE FROM WIA TO MARITIME COLLEGE STEPHEN/ANCHOR: This week's top story comes from Australia, where big changes are coming in the way amateur licenses and tests are handled. With those details, here's Graham Kemp VK4BB. GRAHAM: "You probably already know that the successful tenderer was the University of Tasmania through the Australian Maritime College. Congratulations to the Australian Maritime College." That was the Wireless Institute of Australia's secretary Peter Clee VK8ZZ announcing that the Wireless Institute of Australia will no longer be giving amateur radio exams, issuing certificates of proficiency or assigning callsign recommendations, as it had been doing under agreement with the Australian Communications and Media Authority. That responsibility was transferred to the University of Tasmania's Australian Maritime College, effective February 1st. Full services will not begin immediately, however. Once the ACMA has signed a deed with the college, their offices will be providing amateur services during a phase-in period that begins on February 25th. Until that time, the ACMA has said it will be responsible for reviewing applications for licenses based on certificates of proficiency. Examinations conducted by the WIA are no longer approved and the WIA cannot issue certificates of proficiency any longer nor issue callsign recommendations, according to a statement on the ACMA website. The WIA congratulated the college in a media release and has given a proposal to the ACMA for making the transition out of their deed. For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Graham Kemp VK4BB. STEPHEN/ANCHOR: The WIA issued a statement on the 2nd of February saying: "The WIA board views this as a watershed moment in the history of amateur radio in Australia. The expedient delivery of these services by a skilled team backed by a sandstone university promises to deliver a robust, cost-effective and efficient qualification service for the Australian amateur community." ** ARRL'S EMERGENCY PREP MANAGER STEPS DOWN STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Meanwhile, in the U.S., as the ARRL undergoes restructuring at its headquarters in Connecticut, management is also examining the league's emergency preparedness program. Its manager Mike Corey KI1U (Kay Eye One You) has announced he is stepping down. Mike, who joined the league's staff in 2010, announced that his last day on the job will be the 15th of February. He said he is leaving for another opportunity. ARRL CEO Howard Michel (pronounced MICKEL) WB2ITX credited Mike with having expanded the league's Ham Aid program, national disaster response and rolling out ARES Connect, Michel (MICKEL) said in a statement: [quote] The Headquarters team will miss Mike’s friendly personality and wishes him well in his pursuits.[end quote] ** HAMS IN CUBA RESPOND AFTER HISTORIC TORNADO STEPHEN/ANCHOR: In Cuba, although Havana and the surrounding area were certainly unprepared for the scope of devastation from its recent historic tornado, amateur radio operators WERE prepared and did their best, as Kevin Trotman N5PRE tells us. KEVIN: A rare tornado swept through Cuba and its capital city of Havana on the 27th of January. As the death toll climbed, local radio amateurs were already preparing to respond to what was the strongest tornado to hit the island since 1940. The storm had knocked out landlines and left cell phone networks seriously compromised. Using 2m repeaters in the capital, hams relayed information about the storm's path and helped coordinate municipal response on the ground. The team included such radio operators as Carlos CO2JC, who is coordinator of the national emergency net; Daniel CO2DFC, Osvaldo CO2LD and Vladimir CO2VC, who were indentified in a report from the FRC, Cuba's national amateur radio society. The latest reports indicate that by the time the storm had ended, four were killed and nearly 200 were left injured. For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Kevin Trotman N5PRE (SOUTHGATE, MIAMI HERALD, QRZ) STEPHEN/ANCHOR: In more recent reports, the Cuban death toll climbed to six as two more victims died in hospital care. We at Newsline keep everyone in our thoughts. ** SILENT KEY: ALFRED TRIBBLE W3STW OF PENNSYLVANIA STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Amateur radio operators in Pennsylvania have said goodbye to a friend and mentor who lived just shy of nine decades, and made the most of those many years. Here's Skeeter Nash N5ASH. SKEETER: A Korean War veteran and longtime amateur radio operator in Pennsylvania has become a Silent Key. Alfred Tribble W3STW, a native of Philadelphia, had discovered amateur radio while serving in the U.S. Army between 1948 and 1952. Alfred was well-decorated for his service. After leaving the military, he studied to become an electrical engineer and ultimately got a job with General Electric in its nuclear power generation and electrical fields and in work related to the space program, according to an obituary on the Kirk & Nice Suburban Chapel website. Alfred was also active in civic causes in his Pennsylvania community. In 2005, he moved into Ann's Choice, a senior living community in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Alfred took his love of amateur radio there too and began sharing his hobby with other residents eventually setting up the first amateur radio station to operate on the senior community's grounds. He was also a member of the Phil-Mont Mobile Radio Club, which features a memorial page to this Silent Key on its website. Alfred Tribble was to be buried with military honors in Sunset Memorial Park in Feasterville, Pennsvylania. He was 88. Vale Alfred Tribble. For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Skeeter Nash N5ASH. ** IN INDIANA AND NEW JERSEY, THE GREAT ANTENNA DEBATE STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Call it the Great Antenna Debate: It's a quest many amateur radio clubs often take on to raise their antennas and their community responsiveness. Two such clubs are engaged in that now. We go first to Indiana with Dave Parks WB8ODF. DAVE: In Indiana, trustees of the Sunman-Dearborn Community School Corporation are studying a proposal by the Laughery Valley Amateur Radio Club which wants to use a tower outside a former elementary school. Club member Gary Puckett WB9WHS told Newsline that the club's 220 repeater needs an elevation higher than its current 20 feet. He said use of the tower would extend communications to a 30-mile radius, improving members' ability to assist the county in emergency situations and with public-service events. He said the club got its 220 MHz repeater on the air about three months ago and is now hoping to boost its range, something that a tower such as this -- about 50 to 60 feet in height -- would do. Gary said the club might have another option, asking the electric company to install a large utility pole where an antenna could go - but he said the tower seemed especially well-suited to the club's needs. He spoke to school corporation trustees at their meeting last month and gave details of the club's request. He told Newsline this month that the club did not expect a decision to be made much before spring. The local newspaper, the Batesville Indiana Herald-Tribune, covered the meeting and quoted school superintendent Andrew Jackson, who said, regarding the tower: [quote] "We have to see if we have the authority to give this to a nonprofit." [endquote] The superintendent said he would talk to the school board's attorney to see if it is legal and possible. So for now, it is a waiting game for the Laughery Valley amateurs. For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Dave Parks WB8ODF. STEPHEN/ANCHOR: In New Jersey, another group of hams is also in search of a greater reach via antennas. Here's Heather Embee KB3T-ZED-D with those details. HEATHER: The Audubon Amateur Radio Club K2AUD already has achieved an expanded reach, at least in membership, with its ranks filled by hams from across southern New Jersey and even into Philadelphia. An ARRL affiliate since 2016, the club is located in the borough of Audubon, where it was created by the late Paul Price, who was coordinator of the borough's Office of Emergency Management. Club trustee Rick Tighe N2PHI, said the club's top priority is community service and emergency response. In keeping with Paul Price's original mission, the club wants to strengthen its emergency service with antennas installed on the community building where members meet. Whether the club will succeed still remains a question: David Taraschi, administrator of the borough of Audubon, told Newsline in an email: [quote] "The Borough outside of OEM really doesn't interact with the club per se. We allow them the use of one of our buildings." [endquote] The administrator said that before the antenna issue can be addressed more dialogue would need to take place with the club. For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Heather Embee KB3TZD. (THE BATESVILLE INDIANA HERALD-TRIBUNE) ** BREAK HERE: Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world including the WA2EHL repeater in Burlington, New Jersey on Friday nights at 7 local time. ** HIGH HONORS FOR 2 AUSTRALIAN AMATEURS STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Not everyone is chosen to receive the Order of Australia medal - but two hams were recently among the many on the recipient list. Robert Broomhead VK3DN has that story. ROBERT: Two ham radio operators were among those to receive the Order of Australia medal on January 26th, Australia Day. Raphael Shammay VK2RF, a member of the Waverley Amateur Radio Society, and Phil Byrne VK2MCB of the Rotarians of Amateur Radio for Australia, New Zealand and Oceania, were honoured for their contributions. Raffy is a member of the Wireless Institute Civil Emergency Network and a volunteer with the Scouts' Jamboree On The Air. He also volunteers at the Sir Moses Montefiore Home in New South Wales. He has provided support since 2006 for the Shahzada 400km Endurance Ride and the Hawkesbury Canoe Classic. He is a member of the Hellenic Amateur Radio Association of Australia, or HARAOA. He is a veteran DXPeditioner who has operated from such HARAOA DXPeditions as Lord Howe Island, Montague Island and Norfolk Island where he was a member of the HARAOA team. Phil is regional vice president of the Rotarians group. The retired Air Commodore is a co-coordinator of the Foodbank Program in New South Wales and ACT and chaired the Rotary Adventure in Citizenship Program in 2017, among his many other activities. The medal was created in 1975 to recognise Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or meritorious service. Congratulations to the deserving recipients. For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Robert Broomhead VK3DN. ** NEW JERSEY SEMINAR TAKES ON TOWER SAFETY STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Tower safety: You can't say enough or do enough to encourage it. In New Jersey, one club has organized a seminar that covers the basics and more. Here's Geri Goodrich KF5KRN. GERI: The amateur radio community was shaken late last year by the death of noted contester Paul Bittner W-ZERO-A-EYE H (W0AIH) following a fall from a tower at his Wisconsin antenna farm. Even one tower accident is one too many. Recognizing this, the Tri-County Radio Association has scheduled a program on climbing safety, fall protection and safe use of ladders. The talk will be held March 4th at the Union Elks Lodge in Union, New Jersey and will be presented by club member Philip Solomon KD2FGH. Philip is the owner of TOPS in Emergency Response Incorporated which assists businesses with safety training in health care, transportation and other sectors. The program will begin at 7:30 p.m. A notice from the club encouraged as many people to attend as possible. The notice said [quote] "Although we do this as a hobby, come learn about the latest industry updates and equipment to insure your safety when working above the ground." [endquote] For additional information contact Paul Biener at kd2drm at w2li dot org (kd2drm@w2li.org) For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Geri Goodrich KF5KRN ** CHILE AGREES TO RECIPROCITY FOR RADIO STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Hams planning a visit to Chile anytime soon may be encouraged by the latest moves toward on-air privileges. Jim Meachen ZL2BHF has those details. JIM: International Amateur Radio Permits, or IARPs, may soon be in even wider use: Chile has agreed to offer reciprocal amateur radio privileges to licensees from countries that belong to the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunication Administrations, or CEPT. Chilean officials recently signed the Amendment to the Inter-American Convention which allows licensees from CEPT-countries to have IARP privileges provided reciprocity between the nations exists. Chile is the third country to sign the amendment recently, following Argentina and the Dominican Republic. Holders of a Class-1 IARP are given use of all bands allowed for amateur radio use in the country where the guest station will be operated. Holders of a Class-2 IARP must operate above 30 MHz. CEPT and IARP is already available for hams with U.S. licenses other than Technician. For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Jim Meachen ZL2BHF (SOUTHGATE) ** WORLD OF DX In the World of DX, Vlad, UA4WHX, has been active as 3B8VB from Rodriguez Island although the length of his stay was as-yet undetermined. Be listening for him on 40/30/20/17 meters using mostly CW with some SSB. QSL via UA4WHX. In the Bahamas, Michael/KN4EEI, Michael/N6MZ and George/AA7JV are on the air as C6AGU from Water Cay through to the 18th of February. Be listening on 160/80/40 meters where they are using mostly CW and FT8. QSL via HA7RY. Arnaud, JG1XMV, will be using the call sign FK/JG1XMV from New Caledonia between February 23rd and March 10th. He will be joined in the operation by his friend Yves, FK4RD. Operations will be from Grand Terre Island and possibly Lifou and Mare islands. Listen for him on 40/20/17/15 meters SSB. QSL via his home call direct, LoTW or eQSL. Be listening for Nils SM3UQK operating as OX/SE3A on the main island of Greenland from the 9th through to the 21st of February. You can find him on 40 and 20 meters. QSL via SM3UQK, direct or bureau. (OHIO PENN DX, DX WORLD) ** KICKER: NUMBER 100 IS AN OSCAR-WINNING SATELLITE STEPHEN/ANCHOR: We end our report this week with a look at the Oscars. No, we're not going Hollywood on you. For these OSCARS, look to the sky - and to Neil Rapp WB9VPG, who has this report. NEIL: The number 100 is not to be taken lightly. In years, it marks a century. In percentages it signifies totality -- and in the language of modern-day text messaging, 100 means "keeping it real." It is in that spirit that AMSAT celebrated the designation of the one hundredth OSCAR satellite - Es'hail-2/P4A. The amateur radio satellite was launched last November from Cape Canaveral in Florida and is the first geostationary amateur radio payload. It was developed with AMSAT-DL as technical lead and was a joint effort by the Qatar Amateur Radio Society and the Qatar Satellite Company, Es'hailSat. On the 23rd of December, its narrow and wideband transponders were tested successfully and are expected to open for general use this month. Qatar OSCAR 100 is now in its final position at 25.9 degrees E. In a message to the ham radio community earlier this month, Drew Glasbrenner KO4MA, AMSAT's VP of operations and OSCAR Number Administrator, wrote: [quote] "May the 100th OSCAR satellite be the guide star to future amateur radio satellites and payloads to geostationary orbit and beyond." [endquote] For hams who are satellite enthusiasts, that's about as real as things can get. For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Neil Rapp WB9VPG ** NEWSCAST CLOSE: With thanks to Alan Labs; Amateur News Weekly; the ARRL; Batesville Indiana Herald Tribune CQ Magazine; Hap Holly and the Rain Report; Miami Herald; Ohio-Penn DX Bulletin; QRZ.COM; 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 Stephen Kinford N8WB in Wadsworth Ohio saying 73 and as always we thank you for listening. Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) is Copyright 2019. All rights reserved.