Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2287 for Friday August 27, 2021 Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2287 with a release date of Friday August 27, 2021 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1. The following is a QST. A dispute over a medical device and suspected RFI. NASA plans a radio telescope on the moon -- and in New York, a special event station marks the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. All this and more as Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2287 comes your way right now. *** BILLBOARD CART ** DISPUTE OVER SUSPECTED RFI AND INSULIN PUMP PAUL/ANCHOR: Our top story this week involves suspected RF interference that appears to be affecting a medical device. But does this point to ham radio? Ralph Squillace KK6ITB explores that question. RALPH: A ham radio operator in Florida is off the air following a challenge by a neighbor in his retirement community that his amateur radio station is causing life-threatening interference to the wireless communications in her insulin pump. According to a report by WFTV Channel 9 Orlando, an independent consultant hired by the residential community known as On Top of the World near Ocala, Florida, believes that RF from the ham station "could have produced" interference with the pump's delivery of measured insulin doses. WFTV reported that the woman, Michelle Smith, is a Type 1 diabetic who claims that David Birge WB9UYK, had put her health at risk by operating his station. David is now off the air in compliance with the community board's order to him. It remains unclear, however, whether the consultant's findings definitively proved that RFI was a factor. In 2019, the US Food and Drug Administration issued an alert that some models of insulin pumps with unencrypted wireless connectivity had cybersecurity flaws that left them vulnerable to hacking that could modify the settings. Eric Koester, KA0YWN, an electrical design engineer in Minnesota, who is not involved in the Florida dispute, told Newsline in an email that he has been familiar with RF emissions testing and RF immunity testing since 1995. He said that the more subtle kind of changes Michelle Smith reported seeing in her insulin pump are inconsistent with the larger-scale reactions he has seen documented in devices compromised by RF interference. Meanwhile, the WFTV report noted that the Florida community's board of directors has already modified its regulations on antennas in a way that would permit operations by licensed radio amateurs living there. For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Ralph Squillace KK6ITB. (WFTV, FDA, ERIC KOESTER KA0YWN) ** NASA MAKING PLANS FOR A 'LUNAR ARECIBO' DISH PAUL/ANCHOR: Radio astronomers' beloved Arecibo dish is no more — at least not in Puerto Rico. But how about a replacement that's....not of this earth? Kent Peterson KC0GDY explains. KENT: How do you top Arecibo, the iconic radio telescope that collapsed last December, leading to its dismantling? You build one similar to it—and you do it on the far side of the moon. The Lunar Crater Radio Telescope is just a concept for now but in theory its massive dish would be capable of detecting those radio waves that eluded even the best of the telescopes here on earth. Better yet, that reception wouldn't be competing against the atmospheric interference that challenge earth-based telescopes. The lunar telescope would be able to more clearly detect radio waves above 10 metres, which were inaccessible to the Arecibo dish. Joseph Lazio, one of the NASA radio astronomers on the lunar radio telescope project, was quoted on the Business Insider website as saying [quote] "With a sufficiently large radio telescope off Earth, we could track the processes that would have led to the formation of the first stars, maybe even find clues to the nature of dark matter." He made his remarks in a press release about the project, which is still considered very preliminary. This past spring, NASA awarded $500,000 for further research and development on the telescope, which will be designed to rest inside a lunar crater on the far side of the moon. For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Kent Peterson KC0DGY. (BUSINESS INSIDER, EARTH SKY) ** AMSAT SPACE SYMPOSIUM ACCEPTING REGISTRATIONS PAUL/ANCHOR: AMSAT's 39th space symposium and annual general meeting is now accepting registrations for the event, which is taking place Friday October 29th through Sunday October 31st in Bloomington, Minnesota. Students are also invited to register. AMSAT is issuing a call for papers by presenters. Last year's event was held virtually but this year's symposium is to take place at the Crowne Plaza hotel at Minneapolis International Airport. See the link to the registration website in the printed version of this newscast at arnewsline.org https://launch.amsat.org/Events To submit a paper, see details that are in this week's newscast script. https://www.amsat.org/2021-amsat-symposium-proceedings-call-for-papers (AMSAT) ** SPAIN PREPARES FOR TWIN SATELLITE LAUNCHES PAUL/ANCHOR: Meanwhile, in Spain, hams await the scheduled launch next month of two AMSAT-EA Genesis satellites. John Williams VK4JJW brings us up to date. JOHN: The satellites are called GENESIS-L and GENESIS-N and their planned launch on September 2nd has been eagerly anticipated by Spain's national amateur radio society, the URE. The launch is to take place at California's Vandenberg Air Force Base, where the two digital repeating satellites will take to the sky along with a number of other satellites. The GENESIS satellites, built by students from the European University, wlil be using Amplitude Shift Keying and CW. Additional details, and a list of the satellites' working frequencies, can be found on the URE website which is listed in the script of this week's newscast at arnewsline.org https://www.ure.es/satelites-genesis-de-amsat-ea-2/ For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm John Williams VK4JJW. (URE, SOUTHGATE) ** SWEEPING ANTENNA ARRAY DELIVERS GALAXIES IN HIGH-DEFINITION PAUL/ANCHOR: Back here on earth, many of us know the benefits of high-definition, especially when it comes to video images. But now scientists in the UK are making use of some benefits of high-definition imagery thanks to a huge antenna array in Europe. Jeremy Boot G4NJH has those details. JEREMY: Scientists are crediting 70,000 one-metre-high antennas with helping unveil new insights into how our solar system came into being by providing as-yet unattainable visual details. The array is letting scientists gather ultra-high-definition imagery to get a clearer picture of various galaxies as they give birth to planets and suns. The radio imagery they are using is the result of a linked international network of telescopes known as LOFAR, for Low Frequency Array. Although most of the antennas are in nine nations throughout Europe, the majority are in The Netherlands. According to Neal Jackson of the University of Manchester, the imagery is permitting researchers to see more clearly what happens inside galaxies when planets and suns are being created. He told the BBC, "These high-resolution images allow us to zoom in to see what's really going on when supermassive black holes launch these jets of material." The project leader Leah Morabito of Durham University in the UK, said scientists believe images such as these are giving greater insight into the creation of our own solar system too. According to the BBC, for the array to work, the team had to find a way to gather and digitise signals received by each antenna. The signals were then sent to a central processor for combination with all the other images being gathered by the rest of the array. Leah Morabito told the BBC that the team plans to scan numerous galaxies in the years ahead, adding, "I think we're definitely in for some surprises.” For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Jeremy Boot G4NJH. (BBC) ** SPECIAL NYC EVENT MARKS 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF 9/11 PAUL/ANCHOR: Many of the hams who will be on the air on September 11th calling QRZ from New York City were in a very different place 20 years ago. Some of them hurried to the World Trade Center in Manhattan as first-responders to the terror strikes that day. They were answering a call then—and this year they are the ones calling to mark the painful anniversary. 
 The first-responders and their friends and supporters are hams in the Northeast Wireless Radio Club NW2C and the Great South Bay Amateur Radio Club W2GSB. They will be on the air together from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time operating special event station W2T, using CW, SSB and the digital modes. Hams may also contact them via satellite. In the words of their station, Whiskey Two Tango, "We Will Never Forget." Mark it on your calendar. (MIKE SARTORETTI, KC2SYF) ** IN NEW ZEALAND, BACKYARDS GO BACK ON THE AIR PAUL/ANCHOR: What do SOTA activators do when the summits are off limits? In New Zealand, the answer is right there in their backyards. We hear more from Graham Kemp VK4BB. GRAHAM: Nothing - not even a solar flare or even a pandemic - could stop the Backyards on the Air activation from going ahead recently in New Zealand. The pandemic, in fact, was actually the inspiration for the event on Sunday, August 22nd. It was born in the spring of 2020 as lockdown enveloped the nation. A group of SOTA activators looked for new options because their beloved summits had been declared off limits. Organiser Mark Sullivan ZL3AB said this recent activation found participants once again in their backyards and after two hours of calling QRZr, some boasted contacts with the US and VK, as well as around New Zealand. Mark described his own activation as a bit less successful, owing to a pole that collapsed and someone's child next-door playing with an incredibly loud toy lawn mower. Mark did encourage and reward experimentation, however. In his invitation to participants, he wrote: "It should go without saying that double points will be awarded to anyone who operates using.....a Delta loop." For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Graham Kemp VK4BB. (MARK SULLIVAN ZL3AB) ** BREAK HERE: Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world including the K4LYL repeater in Bedford, Virginia on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. local time. ** WEST BENGAL HAMS MARK 100 YEARS OF RADIO PAUL/ANCHOR: This year has brought double the celebration for hams in India. Jason Daniels VK2LAW tells us there's still time to attend some of the programs — virtually. JASON: Indian amateurs aren't just marking 100 years of ham radio; they're also celebrating 75 years of their nation's independence. A full weekend of celebration was hosted by the West Bengal Radio Club on August 14th and 15th, highlighted by an online tech talk with noted home brewer Ashhar Farhan VU2ESE, creator of the Bitx and micro BITX open source transceivers. The programme, hosted by Saborni Nag Biswas, VU2JFC, was followed by a webinar on the first century of Indian amateur radio led by S. Ram Mohan, VU2MYH, and Sriramamurthy Suri VU2MY, both of the National Institute of Amateur Radio and S. Satyapal VU2FI, of the Indian Institute of Hams. Both events were livestreamed. If you were unable to attend virtually while the programmes were taking place, they are available for viewing on YouTube. The links appear in the script of this week's newscast at arnewsline.org https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekQe98ccurM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQpy1t-xLoE For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jason Daniels VK2LAW. (WEST BENGAL RADIO CLUB) ** ACMA SEEKS INPUT ON 2x1 CALLSIGNS PAUL/ANCHOR: Australian officials are looking for hams' input on their review of 2x1 callsigns. Robert Broomhead VK3DN has more. ROBERT: The Australian Communications and Media Authority is asking hams to share their thoughts on allocation arrangements for 2x1 callsigns. The callsign allocations are to be handled by the Australian Maritime College, which already manages allocations for amateur beacons, repeaters, special event callsigns and normal callsigns. The ACMA have posted a survey and are interested in hearing hams' thoughts on the issue and use of the two-by-one callsigns. The authority wants to know, for instance, whether the callsigns should be made available only to clubs and Advanced level amateurs or whether any level of licence can have access. Hams have until the 31st of August to complete the short five-question survey. According to the authority, hams will be able to use the 2x1 callsigns without having to get a new licence or make changes to their existing licence. For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Robert Broomhead VK3DN. (ACMA) ** ACMA REVIEWS ARRANGEMENTS FOR AMATEUR REPEATERS, ASSIGNED BEACONS PAUL/ANCHOR: The authority is also reviewing its plans for assigned amateur beacon and repeater stations. More details on that from Graham Kemp VK4BB. GRAHAM: The Australian Communications and Media Authority is in the middle of sorting through more than 800 responses to its consultation on a review of non-assigned amateur and outpost licensing arrangements. The ACMA's review is also taking a look at accreditation for repeater and amateur beacon assignments. The ACMA has been trying to implement a licensing procedure that will minimise the burdens of regulation and allow benefits for hams to continue at an affordable price. According to the consultation paper outlining the proposed changes earlier this year, three options are under consideration. In the first, the ACMA would not change apparatus licensing arrangements and conditions. In the second, the authority would simplify existing licensing arrangements and licence conditions. In the third, which is the preferred option for the AMCA, operation of non-assigned amateur stations would be authorised for holders of Foundation, Standard and Advanced level qualifications through a class licence rather than an apparatus licence. This would involve creation of an amateur class licence authorising amateur station operation by those holding Foundation, Standard or Advanced level qualifications and would include individuals visiting Australia and having overseas equivalent qualifications or licences. Meanwhile, operation of assigned amateur beacon and repeater stations would remain authorised under apparatus licensing arrangements. In a recent advisory, the ACMA has indicated it will provide updates via its e-bulletin. For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Graham Kemp VK4BB. (ACMA) **' WORLD OF DX The Trinidad and Tobago Amateur Radio Society is marking the 59th anniversary of the nation's independence with a special event station, using callsign 9Y59IND through Spetember 12th. Listen on HF, the digital modes, 2 meters, EME, DMR, D-STAR and Yaesu Fusion. QSLs will be via Logbook of the World only. Masa, JA0RQV, is operating as A35JP from Tonga, where he will be until October 31st. Be listening on 80 through 6 meters where he is using CW, SSB and FT8. QSL via LoTW and ClubLog, or direct with $2 in US currency or by the bureau using his home callsign. Members of the Emirates Amateur Radio Society are using the special event callsign A60EXPO between September 1st and October 1st to promote World Expo 2020 in Dubai. The expo itself runs from October 31st until March 31st of next year. Send QSLs via EA7FTR. Be listening for Pascual, EA5WO, who will be using the special event callsign AN5WAR from Valencia, Spain, between September 1st and the 30th. Pascual is commemorating the 82nd anniversary of the start of the Second World War. He will be operating on various HF bands. QSL via LoTW or eQSL. (OHIO PENN DX) ** KICKER: A SPARK GLOWS BRIGHTLY AT MUSEUM IN FINLAND PAUL/ANCHOR: In our final story we visit a museum in Finland where ham radio operators are delivering their messages to hams and non-hams alike, via a display of their homebrew equipment. Ed Durrant DD5LP takes us there. ED: The exhibit is called "It Started with a Spark," and it honours 100 years of innovation and home-brewing among amateur radio operators in Finland. Housed at the Finnish Museum of Technology, the exhibit features equipment created by amateur radio operators, many of whom are members of SRAL, the Finnish Radio Amateur Association. So it is no surprise that this summertime exhibit is actually the result of some clever home-brewing itself. It began as a concept for Heikki Lempola OH2BGX, a member of the radio association's anniversary committee. He envisioned it as a display of self-made technology that would feature some of the equipment the radio association itself had put on display previously during smaller local one-day exhibits. Like a spark that gives energy to something greater than itself, his idea grew and grew once Heikki had a conversation with Rina Linna, the exhibition producer at the museum in Helsinki. The museum and the radio association's centennial tribute made for natural pairing. The home-brewing got under way and the collection grew from compact antennas to transmitters to transceivers, just for starters. The exhibit runs through to the 29th of August. In an interview posted on the museum's blog, both Heikki and Rina remark that the equipment is on display to showcase its aesthetics as well as its functionality. Both agreed that visitors don't have to be hams to appreciate the beauty and the brilliance of what they're seeing. It's the kind of amateur radio that gets its message across to everyone, even to people who aren't hams. For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Ed Durrant DD5LP. (SOUTHGATE, SRAL, FINNISH MUSEUM OF TECHNOLOGY) ** NEWSCAST CLOSE: With thanks to Amateur News Weekly; AMSAT; the ARRL; the Australian Communications and Media Authority; the BBC; Business Insider; CQ Magazine; David Behar K7DB; Daily DX; EarthSky; Eric Koester KA0YWN; the Finnish Museum of Technology; the US Food and Drug Administration; Mark Sullivan ZL3AB; Mike Sartoretti KC2SYF; Ohio Penn DX; QRZ.com; Southgate Amateur Radio News; shortwaveradio.de; SRAL; Ted Randall's QSO Radio Show; West Bengal Radio Club; WFTV Channel 9; WTWW Shortwave; and you our listeners, that's all from the Amateur Radio Newsline. You can write to us at newsline@arnewsline.org. For more information or to support us visit our official website at arnewsline.org. For now, with Caryn Eve Murray KD2GUT at the news desk in New York, and our news team worldwide, I'm Paul Braun WD9GCO in Valparaiso Indiana saying 73. As always we thank you for listening. Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) is Copyright 2021. All rights reserved.