Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2381 for Friday June 16th, 2023 Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2381 with a release date of Friday June 16th, 2023 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1. The following is a QST. A youth DXpedition sets its sights on Guyana. Satellites get in the act on Field Day -- and ham radio aids in a dramatic rescue in Idaho. All this and more as Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2381 comes your way right now. ** BILLBOARD CART ** YOUNG DXPEDITIONERS SET SIGHTS ON GUYANA PAUL/ANCHOR: Our top story this week takes us to Guyana - that's the location a young quartet of DXpeditioners has its collective eye on. We hear about their plans from Jeremy Boot G4NJH. JEREMY: Their trip has been years in the making and now, with the travel precautions of the pandemic behind them, a team of DXpeditioners -- all in their 20s -- is finally free to travel to their destination: Guyana. Four friends, Jamie MØSDV, Philipp, DK6SP, Tomi, HA8RT, and Sven DJ4MX, are young: Sven is 21, team co-leader Jamie is 22; Tomi is 24 and co-leader Philipp is 25. Their youth hasn't stopped them from becoming veteran DXpeditioners. Jamie told Newsline: "We have been fortunate enough to visit some amazing locations worldwide." Now they putting together their plan to operate in Guyana between the 14th and the 24th of next February, operating CW, SSB, FT8 and RTTY on the HF bands. They have not yet been assigned a callsign. The Northern California DX Foundation said it has given the team a $5,000 grant as a way of encouraging the next generation of adventuring amateurs. Jamie said that the group's website will be updated regularly to keep DX hunters apprised and, of course, to encourage others to support the activation. See the text version of this week's newscast on our website, arnewsline.org, to find a link to the DXpedition. The team will also be releasing a separate website dedicated to the DXpedition itself and will communicate with chasers via social media. [DO NOT READ: www.8R-2024.com] This is Jeremy Boot G4NJH. (GUYANA DXPEDITION WEBSITE, JAMIE MØSDV) ** HAM RADIO PLAYS PIVOTAL ROLE IN SEATTLE DRILL PAUL/ANCHOR: Residents in the city of Seattle take the notion of being neighborly quite seriously. So seriously, in fact, that they regularly hold disaster drills to practice ways to help one another out. Of course, it involves amateur radio. Here's Jack Parker W8ISH with a report on the latest exercise, which was held on June 11th. JACK: The disaster scenario in the city of Seattle, Washington, was simulated but there was nothing fictional about the scene of neighbor helping neighbor. On June 11th, the city's Emergency Communication Hubs rehearsed the all-important coordinated response that everyone would have in the event of a citywide power outage -- from neighbors to local authorities. The exercise was called Power Down. Twenty-five hams from the Auxiliary Communications Service of Amateurs were dispatched to transmit messages using voice and digital modes, such as Winlink and Fldigi. The hams worked at one of the city's 10 participating hubs, at rally points for city workers, or in the radio room of the city's Emergency Operations Center. Many of the hams were asked to move between the various locations to help balance out resources. Most of the hams communicated via nets using repeaters that have power generators on site. According to Susanna Cunningham, WB7CON, the public information officer for the ACS, the exercise was a successful demonstration of cooperation but unearthed some challenges: There were coverage issues with repeaters that are used less frequently -- and hams making use of Winlink did not always succeed in getting all the ICS forms submitted from the Hubs to their targeted locations. Susanne said that these issues and others will be evaluated at the July meeting of the ACS on July 8th. This is Jack Parker W8ISH. (SUSANNA CUNNINGHAM, WB7CON) ** SATELLITE QSOS TO FLY HIGH FOR FIELD DAY PAUL/ANCHOR: In the US and Canada, almost everyone is getting ready for Field Day - and that includes satellite enthusiasts. We hear about their plans from Sel Embee KB3TZD. SEL: In case you've been wondering, Field Day is for the birds! Once again, just as the ARRL sponsors the 23-hour exercise known as Field Day for hams throughout the US and Canada, AMSAT, the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation, takes this test of emergency communications to the skies. For satellite users, this will be a 27-hour period between 1800 UTC on Saturday the 24th of June through to 2100 UTC on Sunday the 25th. Satellite users are advised to check the AMSAT status page for what will be available. AMSAT has said there will be more than 10 transponders and repeaters available during that weekend. FM voice satellites will include SO-50, AO-91, PO-101, the International Space Station and possibly LilacSat for those in search of bonus points. Ops are advised to be aware of congestion on FM low earth orbit satellites. The rules set a limit of one QSO per FM satellite, including the ISS. The exchange is the traditional ARRL Field Day Exchange. This is Sel Embee KB3TZD. (AMSAT NEWS SERVICE) ** NEWSLINE'S NEIL RAPP WB9VPG RECEIVES YASME EXCELLENCE AWARD PAUL/ANCHOR: Newsline is always pleased to share news of radio amateurs who have received recognition for their contributions to the community. But we are never more proud than when one of those being honored is a member of our own team. Neil Rapp, WB9VPG, an anchor and correspondent for Newsline, has received the Yasme Excellence Award from the Yasme Foundation for his years of work with the next generation of ham radio operators. Neil provided the initial radio club sponsorship for the Region 2 YOTA camps, which he now serves as manager, providing administrative assistance for the camps as a nonprofit. He has also served as manager of Hamvention's Ham Radio 2.0 showcase. The foundation board of directors issued a statement saying that "recruiting young operators is key to the survival of amateur radio and his tireless efforts are appreciated." [endquote] The award consists of an engraved crystal globe and a cash grant of $500. Neil, we here at Newsline can only add our own congratulations and sincere appreciation for all that you do. (YASME FOUNDATION) ** HAM RADIO HELPS IN DRAMATIC RESCUE IN IDAHO PAUL/ANCHOR: In Idaho, amateur radio played a role in the dramatic rescue of an 80-year-old man in a rocky wilderness region. Dave Parks WB8ODF has the details. DAVE: Members of Scout Troop 77 from Eagle, Idaho were well-prepared for their canoeing trip into Hells Canyon just a few weeks ago and took along a few hand-held radios, a satellite communications device and a ham radio. They were soon to encounter another adventurer, an 80-year-old retired judge who had at one time been a Scoutmaster in his home state of Oregon, which borders the canyon. This man was not so prepared: He had lost his balance while taking photographs in the region and fell 60 feet down a rocky riverbank on the Snake River, sustaining serious injuries to his neck, back, ankle and lower leg. The Scouts were canoeing when they were flagged down by a woman who heard the calls for help from the man, Eric Valentine, who was in serious pain. Henry Cavanagh, KJ7QJU, used his radio to contact the adults who were with the other Scouts. Henry's father, Brian, KJ7QJT, an assistant Scoutmaster and a wilderness first-responder, was among those arriving to tend to the man. Others arrived and stabilized him while the assistant Scoutmaster reached out to emergency dispatch services from his satellite communicator. Members of the area utility, Idaho Power, were able to help move the injured man by jet boat to a campground where a helicopter could safely land to transport him to a local hospital. Returning home to Oregon late last month, Eric was recovering and already planning his next hike. He told the Baker City Herald website, however, that he will no longer hike alone in Hells Canyon. This is Dave Parks WB8ODF. (SCOUTING MAGAZINE, THE SEATTLE TIMES) ** TRY NEWSLINE'S HAIKU CHALLENGE PAUL/ANCHOR: Here's a homebrew challenge for you: Write your own ham radio haiku! We're inviting listeners to channel their most creative selves and share the joy of ham radio in the form of a haiku. On our website, arnewsline.org, you will find a submission form for sending your most poetic offering. Be sure you follow the traditional form to qualify: The first line is five syllables, the second line is seven syllables and the finishing third line has another five syllables. Be sure to follow that form. Our team will pick from the best submissions that follow the 5/7/5 syllable rule and represent the love of amateur radio. Your prize? Fame and glory, of course -- and a featured spot for your haiku on the Amateur Radio Newsline website. Visit our website at arnewsline.org to see this week's winning haiku. ** BREAK HERE: Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world including the 2-meter repeater of the Bluegrass Amateur Radio Society in Lexington, Kentucky every Friday at 9 p.m. ** RADIO CONTESTER TAKES TOP FOOTBALL COACHING JOB PAUL/ANCHOR: A prominent radio contester is taking a top spot in another competitive field - European football. Jeremy Boot G4NJH gives us the details. JEREMY: You may not find Serhiy Rebrov 5B4AMM on the field of any high-profile radiosport event this year, but the former Tottenham football striker does have his eyes set on next year's European Championship - as the first permanent head coach of Ukraine's team. The active radio contester is well-known throughout Europe for his career with West Ham, Tottenham and Dynamo Kyiv and he also coached in the Saudi Arabian, Ukrainian and Hungarian leagues. He recently signed a three-year contract with Ukraine's team, keeping his eye on the European Championship qualifiers against North Macedonia and Malta. As a licensed ham and contester, he has also been heard on the air as UT5UDX, MØSDX, TA2ZF and UTØU. This is Jeremy Boot G4NJH. (QRZ.COM, ASSOCIATED PRESS) ** RSGB TO RECEIVE UK STATION USED BY KING HUSSEIN JY1 PAUL/ANCHOR: Any ham who remembers hearing - or perhaps working the callsign JY1 - King Hussein of Jordan - will enjoy hearing this next story. Jeremy Boot G4NJH tells us more. JEREMY: The UK radio equipment once used by King Hussein of Jordan, JY1, is being donated to the Radio Society of Great Britain by Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan. King Hussein became a Silent Key in 1999 at the age of 63. The RSGB said the collection will be on permanent display at the RSGB's National Radio Centre to inspire others and promote friendship and understanding across cultures. They said in a statement [quote]: "His Majesty was a great ambassador for amateur radio and, whenever his official duties allowed him, his radio call sign JY1 could be heard on the amateur bands. His Majesty always operated modestly, never announcing himself as King Hussein, always just ‘Hussein from Jordan’." [endquote] This is Jeremy Boot G4NJH. (RSGB) ** PRESENTERS NEEDED FOR GRCON23 IN ARIZONA PAUL/ANCHOR: Organizers are looking for presenters for the next GNU Radio Conference, known as GRCon23. This is the 13th annual conference for the community, which unites users and developers in the field of software radio. Presenters and attendees are typically members of the academic community, government, industry and of course hobbyists. The deadline for submission of abstracts to present at the conference is June 23rd. The conference itself will take place from September 5th through to the 9th. It is being held at Arizona State University’s Center for Wireless Information Systems and Computational Architectures in Tempe, Arizona. Details can be found on the website gnuradio.org (GNURADIO.ORG, AMATEUR RADIO DAILY) ** BILL CHALLENGES PRIVATE LAND RESTRICTIONS ON ANTENNAS PAUL/ANCHOR: Lawmakers in two US states have reintroduced a bill to protect hams from private land-use restrictions that keep them from installing antennas at home. Kevin Trotman N5PRE brings us up to date. KEVIN: The Amateur Radio Emergency Preparedness Act is back for consideration on Capitol Hill in Washington DC. The measure, first introduced by Congressmen Bill Johnson of Ohio and Joe Courtney of Connecticut last December, is designed to ensure that hams everywhere can get on the air, especially in instances where there is a need for emergency communications, such as in natural disasters. No votes were taken when the bill was introduced toward the end of the last session of Congress. It is being reintroduced in response to the rapid growth of private residential areas that have these restrictions on the use of land. The bill would amend the Communications Act of 1934 by prohibiting land-use restrictions from halting the installation and use of amateur radio antennas. This is Kevin Trotman N5PRE. (REP. BILL JOHNSON WEBSITE, GOVTRACK.US., ARRL) ** ARISS-USA SEEKS DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION PAUL/ANCHOR: If you're an educator who enjoys helping the next generation explore science and tech careers - and you're a fan of ham radio on the ISS - this part-time job opportunity might be what you're looking for. Here are the details from Kevin Trotman N5PRE. KEVIN: Youngsters who participate in amateur radio contacts with the International Space Station are the priority of ARISS-USA, which looks to engage them in the worlds of science and technology. ARISS-USA is looking for an experienced educator to work as director of education, guiding the organization with strategies to enhance the education of youth involved in the ARISS program. This is a part-time, remote position that requires leadership skills to guide the education engagement volunteer team, seeking ways to inspire youth in the fields of STEAM and STEM. The director of education is also responsible for coordinating proposals from schools and other educational institutions seeking to host astronaut contacts. For a full list of other requirements and responsibilities -- and for more details about the position -- visit www.ariss-usa.org. This is Kevin Trotman N5PRE. (ARISS-USA.ORG) ** NEW AWARD OFFERED BY QRZ.COM PAUL/ANCHOR: Qrz.com is marking 30 years of online service to the world's amateur radio community by introducing a new operating award. A ham becomes eligible for the "Thirty Years of QRZ Award" by completing and confirming on-air contacts with 30 members of qrz.com anywhere in the world. The award is free. Like the other qrz.com awards, it is presented based on the logbook each operator maintains on the site. The award is open to everyone who has a presence on qrz.com, not just subscribers. Details about the award and instructions on how to apply can be found on qrz.com under the "Awards" tab. ** WORLD OF DX In the World of DX, Chris, VK2YUS is using the callsign YJØCA from Efate, IOTA number OC-035, Vanuatu [VAN OO AH TOO] from the 17th through to the 28th of June. He is using SSB on 40-10 metres. QSL direct to his home call. Look for Ren, PY8WW to be active as PX8B from Ilha de Bailique, IOTA number SA-045, from June 21st through to the 25th. He will be on 80 through 6 metres. QSL via his home call. There's still time to work Kasimir, DL2SBY, who is operating as 8Q7KB from the Maldives, IOTA number AS-013, through to the 21st of June. He is focusing on CW and SSB, largely on 12, 10 and 6 metres. See QRZ.com for QSL details. (425 DX BULLETIN, THE DAILY DX, DX WORLD.NET) ** KICKER: TWO "LUCIANOS" ENJOY THE KEYS OF LIFE PAUL/ANCHOR: A radio amateur who just reached the age of 106 has been enjoying music - and the music of CW - for almost as many years. We hear about him from Ralph Squillace KK6ITB. RALPH: Louis Benvenuto, W6OTB, and the late Italian tenor, Luciano Pavarotti, had two things in common: Louis' given name at birth was also Luciano until he changed it at the age of 16 -- and both Lucianos knew how to make beautiful music, just not together: Pavarotti, the famed singer, used his voice. For Louis Benvenuto, a lifelong CW operator, the instrument of choice is a key. Even now, at the age of 106, he makes that key sing. On Tuesday, June 6th, the key could well have been singing "Happy Birthday" to Louis as he reached another milestone. The Nebraska native was still a young man when he got the callsign he still retains today. He attended radio school in California and eventually got a job in professional radio but his first love - amateur radio - was always with him. Later, he made the leap into TV, becoming a cameraman for a number of popular TV shows, including the Johnny Carson show. It was on that late-night talk show, in fact, where Luciano the singer met Luciano the amateur radio operator. The cameraman simply introduced himself. It was perhaps one of the easiest contacts the veteran radio operator ever made. While it didn't turn into a ragchew, he did end up logging it - deep in his memory, where it remains even now. This is Ralph Squillace KK6ITB. (FOXTV10; eHam.net) ** DO YOU HAVE NEWS? PAUL/ANCHOR: Do you have a piece of Amateur Radio News that you think Newsline would be interested in? We are not talking about advertising your club's upcoming hamfest or field day participation, but something that is out of the ordinary. If so, send us a brief overview via the contact page at arnewsline.org. If it's newsworthy and we would like to cover it, we'll get back to you for more details. NEWSCAST CLOSE: With thanks to Amateur Radio Daily; AMSAT News Service; ARRL; ARISS-USA; Associated Press; CQ Magazine; David Behar K7DB; DX-World.net; eHAM.net; FoxTV10; GNURadio.org; Jamie MØSDV; QRZ.COM; Radio Society of Great Britain; Radio World; Scouting Magazine; the Seatlle Times; shortwaveradio.de; Susanna Cunningham, WB7CON; you our listeners, that's all from the Amateur Radio Newsline. We remind our listeners that Amateur Radio Newsline is an all-volunteer non-profit organization that incurs expenses for its continued operation. If you wish to support us, please visit our website at arnewsline.org and know that we appreciate you all. We also remind our listeners that if you like our newscast, please leave us a 5-star rating wherever you subscribe to us. 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. 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