Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2384 for Friday July 7th, 2023

Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2384 with a release date of Friday July 7th, 2023 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.

The following is a QST. Gains in attendance at Europe's largest hamfest. Sri Lanka loses a respected member of the amateur community -- and there are big plans ahead for radio at Scout camps.  All this and more as Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2384 comes your way right now.

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BILLBOARD CART

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GAIN IN ATTENDANCE AT HAM RADIO FRIEDRICHSHAFEN

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Our top story this week takes us to Germany. With Ham Radio Friedrichshafen (Pron: Freed Ricks Harfen) completing two weeks ago, the attendance figures have been announced and there's some good news. Over to our European Correspondent  Ed Durrant DD5LP who attended.

ED: This year's attendance at Ham Radio, Europe's largest Hamfest, was up by 10% to 11,100 and the number of traders by 15% compared to last year, despite predictions that Hamfests may suffer due to the increase in online sales during and following the pandemic.

It was clear there was an increase in the number of people both at the indoor flea market halls and in the main trader and exhibitor hall.  While there were no new major radio announcements -- other than we already know of from Hamvention -- it was good to see Kenwood back with a stall but a shame that only Yaesu's agents represented them. ICOM was there with their usual impressive large display area and competing in size was a new company to the amateur radio market - Aaronia a manufacturer of high quality test equipment.

All in all, it was a very uplifting event.

Just as important was the announcement that the required legislative document had just been signed to implement the new German entry level "N class" amateur radio licence. The regulations will come into force on the 21st of June 2024, the week before next years "Ham Radio" event between the 28th and 30th and indeed the very first examinations for this new class of licence will take place at "HAM RADIO 2024." The new licence will allow access to 70cm, 2m and 10m running a maximum of 10 watts and will conform to CEPT specifications for an entry level licence. 

This is Ed Durrant DD5LP.

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FCC SEEKS INPUT ON COMMERCIAL USE OF HF SPECTRUM

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Following years of experimental use of the frequencies between 2 and 25 MHz - a range the FCC considers underutilized - members of the Shortwave Modernization Coalition have asked the agency for rule changes that would permit fixed, long-distance, time-sensitive transmission of data by commercial entities. The FCC is requesting public comment on the proposed rule change, which the Commission said would not have an impact on that part of the spectrum used exclusively by amateur radio, maritime or aeronautical services.

A rule change would make the frequencies available to regular commercial operations. At present only 61 of the 21,507 active licenses for frequencies between 2 and 25 MHz are for industrial and business use, according to the FCC.

The businesses seeking access have relied until now on satellite, fiber, microwave and millimeter wave wireless transmissions.

Shortwave Management Coalition members, who include such entities as companies in the financial markets, believe a rule change could widen access to other industries such as mining, petroleum and manufacturing.

Comments are due to the FCC within the month.

(FCC, SWLING POST)

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FCC TO CONSIDER KEEPING FM6 RADIO FOR LOW-POWER TV

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: In other action in Washington, it is shaping up to be a busy month for the Federal Communications Commission, which is considering whether low power analog TV stations that have a Channel 6 allocation can continue to broadcast analog FM radio. Kevin Trotman N5PRE tells us what's behind the issue.

KEVIN: In a small number of US markets, FM broadcast audio has long been available from TV stations making use of a subcarrier 250 kHz from the top of the Channel 6 frequencies. At the FCC's open meeting on July 20th, the FCC will look at an option it favors: permitting these low-power TV stations to continue this practice as a supplementary service even after the TV stations' conversion to digital.

The FCC believes that preserving the operations for those 13 low-power stations would benefit the public interest, noting as well that there is no record of TV interference with the adjacent FM channels, known as FM6 stations. The FCC wrote in a fact sheet on its website that it has not received complaints with credible evidence showing anything to the contrary.

FM6 radio is permitted to operate only on 87.75 MHz and the service may only be offered within the low-power TV station's coverage area and on a non-interference basis.

This is Kevin Trotman N5PRE.

(FCC)

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CLIPPERTON ISLAND DXPEDITION TO INCLUDE SATELLITE

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: In case you've marked your calendar for January of next year, hoping to make contact with the Clipperton Island DXpedition, there's extra good news if you are a satellite enthusiast. Neil Rapp WB9VPG explains.

NEIL: When members of the Perseverance DX Group call QRZ in January of 2024 from Clipperton Island, they'll have an extra way to make contact. The team just announced that the TX5S DXpedition will include satellite operations. The team's satellite station manager, Andreas N6NU, reported in a recent press release that the team hopes to use the IO-117 GreenCube satellite, which not only has a generous footprint over the island but has passes that last more than an hour.

The uninhabited atoll in the eastern Pacific Ocean will be home for the team for 16 days as they use SSB, CW, RTTY and FT8. This is the 38th most wanted DX according to Clublog - and it is IOTA number NA-011.

This is Neil Rapp WB9VPG.

(AMSAT, CLIPPERTON ISLAND WEBSITE)

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HONORS FOR FILM ABOUT HAM CLUB IN SCOTLAND

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: There's nothing like a good contest to bring out the thrill of competition in some hams. In Scotland, however, one amateur radio group is enjoying the status of being one of the top winners at - of all things - a film festival. Jeremy Boot G4NJH explains what happened.

JEREMY: Hams in the Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society had the kind of performance you might not see in a DX contest, a sprint or even in a QSO party. They were among the top winners at this year's Doric Film Festival, an event that shines a light on filmmakers who celebrate Doric culture and language in their work. The five-minute production is colorful, lively and entirely in the Doric language. Interestingly enough, this is not the radio society's first appearance in a film. A 12-minute film, "Hams," was released in 1961 and is available for viewing online in the Moving Image Archives of the National Library of Scotland. That film, however, is in black and white - and in English.

Doric, once the official language of Scotland, is still widely spoken in the country's Northeast. The festival's winning films were screened last month at the awards ceremony on the campus of Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen.

The stars of the radio society's film are, of course, the many operators in the club and they are seen sending Morse Code and talking to the International Space Station. There is even a cameo appearance by a pig. Of course, you'll have to watch the film on YouTube to understand why. See the link to the society's film in the text version of this week's Newsline script at arnewsline.org

[DO NOT READ: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LN5v8xkHIXo ]

This is Jeremy Boot G4NJH.

(DORIC FILM FESTIVAL, NATIONAL LIBRARY OF SCOTLAND, ABERDEEN AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY)


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RADIO AMATEUR CHOSEN AMONG ENGINEERING'S "WOMEN OF INFLUENCE"

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: A prominent West Coast business journal has named an active California YL among those who have left an impact on modern-day engineering. We get those details from Jack Parker W8ISH.

JACK: A third generation amateur radio operator, inspired by her father and her grandfather, has been selected for inclusion in the San Diego, California, Business Journal's list of Women of Influence in Engineering.

Michelle Thompson, W5NYV, a licensed ham for 25 years, belongs to the FCC's Technical Advisory Council and works on amateur satellite service regulatory reform. A Life Member of the ARRL, she is  technical specialist for the ARRL Field Organization's Southwestern Division.

She writes on her page on QRZ.com: [quote]  "Amateur radio is why I became an engineer and is the motivation for a large amount of the volunteer work I do. I give back to ARRL, IEEE, DEFCON, and many other organizations." [endquote] In 2018 she and two cofounders created the nonprofit Open Research Institute. ORI conducts open source research and development for amateur radio and other areas and provides its findings free.

This is Jack Parker W8ISH.

(WIA, QRZ)

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SILENT KEY: ASOKA DA SILVA, 4S5BAK, VHF NET'S 'WEATHERMAN'

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: A well-respected amateur in Sri Lanka, and a familiar voice on a popular evening net, has become a Silent Key. We hear about him from Jason Daniels VK2LAW.

JASON: The Radio Society of Sri Lanka held a special tribute VHF Tribute Net to honor Asoka da Silva, 4S5BAK, who became a Silent Key on the 26th of June, two months after his 75th birthday. The retired banker, who rose to prominence in the financial sector, was remembered by many who checked in on VHF or via Echolink during the one-hour net. The net was recorded by the society to present to Asoka's family as a gift.

A mainstay of the daily 9 p.m. net for the past three years, Asoka was a familiar voice who would share with his fellow hams a thorough, well-researched weather report  that many looked forward to hearing. His last check-in on the net took place on the 9th of April. According to the radio society, even in the difficult final months of his life, Asoka was determined to upgrade the amateur radio licence he had first acquired following his retirement. Despite frequent hospitalizations, he successfully sat the General and Advanced exams and qualified for that sought-after upgrade.

The VHF tribute net allowed hams from elsewhere, including the United States, Canada and India, to check in with Victor Goonetilleke (goo-nuh-till-ecke) 4S7VK as net control. They shared memories of Asoka, remembering him fondly as the net's "weatherman," and expressed their condolences to his family.

The radio society's own tribute online said [quote] "We have lost a dear friend, and his untimely departure leaves an immense void that will be difficult to fill." [endquote]

This is Jason Daniels VK2LAW.

(RSSL, YOUTUBE)

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BREAK HERE: Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the IRLP Western Reflector Channel 9258 on Mondays at 7 p.m.

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PROGRAM ROLLOUT FOR SCOUT CAMPS ON THE AIR

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: A sweeping new program is in the works to encourage hams everywhere to make contacts with young hams involved in Scouting. Think of it as a push for hams to do a bit of scouting for Scouts.

It's called Scout Camps on the Air and it started as the dream of Matt KR8E. He saw it as a way for the ham population to have QSOs with Scout stations - stations based on camps that are owned or leased by the Scouting organization or those not at any camps but still known as Scout Stations on the Air.

Though the program is still a work in progress, the committee has added three active scouts who are deeply involved in amateur radio, hoping to add to the momentum. The committee has been asking Scout councils to provide input. Organizers are meanwhile developing an multi-level awards program to recognize licensed hams worldwide everywhere who have successful radio contacts with the Scouts.

You can follow the progress of Scout Camps on the Air, or get involved, by following the program on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. See the text version of this week's newscast script at arnewsline.org for the Twitter and Instagram handles of Scout Camps on the Air.

[DO NOT READ: Twitter handle is @SCOTA_k2bsa
Instagram handle is scota_k2bsa ]

(SCOUT CAMPS ON THE AIR)

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WEST BENGAL HAMS ASSIST IN MISSING MOTHER'S RETURN

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Amateur radio operators in India have once again used their extensive network of contacts to bring about a family reunion. Graham Kemp VK4BB gives us their story.

GRAHAM: A mother in India who went missing at a fair 17 years ago while her three children were on an amusement ride is heading back home to Bihar thanks to local radio amateurs. Following the separation, the children had come to believe their mother had long since died. Their fears were proven wrong, however, after police enforcing the recent COVID-19 lockdown saw her wandering the streets outside her home village, unable to speak. They took her for hospital evaluation. From there she was transferred to the Missionaries of Charity Home where she remained until the home asked the West Bengal Radio Club for assistance. Ambarish Nag Biswas, VU2JFA, the club's secretary, told the website etvbharat.com (E TEE VEE BARRAT DOT COM) that the radio club sent pictures to amateur radio operators they know throughout India. A reply ultimately came from the woman's daughter in Bihar, though the hams there. The daughter told the West Bengal hams she had been seeking her mother for years and that she was feared dead. At the time the family's story appeared in the local media, a reunion was being planned.

This is Graham Kemp VK4BB.

(ETVBHARAT.COM)  

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WORLD OF DX

In the World of DX, be listening for Rag, LB3RE, operating on 40-6 metres as DU1/LB3RE from Luzon Island, IOTA number OC-042, until the 18th of July. See QRZ.com for QSL details.

Be listening for a six-member team of activators using the callsign RI1OR (R Eye One Oh R) from Bolshoy Solovetsky Island, IOTA number EU-066, from the 25th to the 29th of July. They will operate CW, SSB and digital modes on 160-10 metres. Send QSLs via RZ3EC.

Chasers of World Wide Flora & Fauna activations may want to listen for Bruno, F4JIK. He is touring Finland in his camper van and is on the air as OH/F4JIK/p until the 13th of July.  Listen for him on SSB on 40, 20 and 15 metres from several Finnish Flora &
 Fauna locations.

Listen for Ben, PE5B, who will be active as PJ7/PE5B from Sint Maarten, IOTA number NA-105, from the 7th to the 14th of July. He will be operating SSB and RTTY while doing training and demonstrations of ham radio and HF EmComm to local groups. QSL via LoTW.

(DX WORLD.NET, 425 DX BULLETIN)

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KICKER: WHEN THE "INTELLIGENCE" IS NOT FOR REAL

ANCHOR: Imagine AI - artificial intelligence - behind the radio mic? Well.....it has already arrived in broadcasting and that's giving us here at Newsline something to think about too. Here's Ralph Squillace KK6ITB to explain.

RALPH: In Portland, Oregon, the radio DJ known as Ashley Z Elzinga has some company in the studio: herself. The station, "Live 95.5" KBFF has begun using an artificial version of her voice to produce segments, using Futuri Media's RadioGPT during midday programming. Ashley Z is a syndicated talent heard on a number of other stations, including ones in Michigan and Seattle. The Oregon station is calling her "AI Ashley" and it even quotes her in the station's press release expressing her commitment to being the world's first AI DJ.

Meanwhile, students at the University of Florida have used RadioGPT to create an AI personality they have named "Q." Q is featured on the College of Journalism and Communications audio research and development platform, GHQ. According to a report in RadioWorld, RadioGPT generates scripts about relevant topics by scanning online content and social media and then voices the script using AI.

It does leave us wondering, however: How long before something called HamGPT is developed and learns to scan the solar reports, the propagation maps, the DX clusters and even our personal details on QRZ.com, handing out "5 9" and "7 3?"

Perhaps for that answer - for now - we'll have to Google it.

This is Ralph Squillace KK6ITB.

(RADIOWORLD, RADIOINSIGHT.COM)

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DO YOU HAIKU? ROGER ROGER!

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: We hope our listeners have been enjoying the Amateur Radio Newsline haiku challenge. We certainly have! In the spirit of fun and perhaps a little bit of literary adventure, we've been 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. To qualify, you need to follow traditional haiku form: The first line is five syllables, the second line is seven syllables and the finishing third line has another five syllables. We cannot accept any other formats.

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? For now, bragging rights -- and a featured spot for your haiku on the Amateur Radio Newsline website. We may have a surprise for you at the end of the year, however. So visit our website at arnewsline.org and take a look at this week's winning ham radio haiku.


DO YOU HAVE NEWS?

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; CQ Magazine; David Behar K7DB; DX-World.net; FCC; 425DXNews; ETVBHARAT.com QRZ.COM; RadioInsight.com; Shortwave Listening Post; shortwaveradio.de; Wireless Institute of Australia; and 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 Stephen Kinford N8WB in Wadsworth Ohio saying 73. As always we thank you for listening. Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) is Copyright 2023. All rights reserved.