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Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2425 for Friday April 19th, 2024

Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2425 with a release date of Friday
April 19th, 2024 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.

The following is a QST. NASA confirms space station debris hit Florida
home. A simulated crisis in Oregon draws a robust response -- and a
musician who was a headliner at the Woodstock Music Festival becomes a
Silent Key. All this and more as Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number
2425 comes your way right now.

**
BILLBOARD CART

**
SIMULATED CRISIS DRAWS ROBUST RESPONSE IN OREGON

JIM/ANCHOR: We begin this week with a story of a disaster-preparation
drill in one part of Oregon where living on a floodplain means always
being vigilant. Ralph Squillace KK6ITB tells us how things played out.

RALPH: The disaster scenario was a simulated emergency test, or SET, in
Crook County, Oregon, but the response was very real on Saturday, April
13th, as radio amateurs and others responded from Crook County
Emergency Management, the sheriff's Search and Rescue team and the
county's auxiliary communication team. The amateur radio station at the
area hospital was activated and communications went out over the
Grizzly Mountain Repeater and on 2-metre simplex.

In this simulated scene across the region's floodplain, the reservoirs
had reached capacity after abundant winter snowfall. A nearby river
below a major dam threatened to rise and cause flooding. Residential
areas faced further dangers as a major creek began to swell.

The drill's organizer, Jim Burge, KB7SHT, told Newsline that 26 hams
were mobilized, and four others checked in from their home QTH. The
drill also became a training exercise for newcomers, who were paired
with more experienced hams and took an active part in learning how to
call the net.

Dave, W7KFO, said that simplex coverage was also provided at all
critical points, such as the hospital and the EOC.

He said that with most of Crook County's population in Prineville,
which is built on a flood plain, a high-water simulation such as this
carries special urgency. There have been real-life deployments too,
even when flooding is not the central worry.

Jim told Newsline that hams were involved in all 38 missions conducted
last year, using both simplex frequencies and area repeaters. No, these instances were not simulated. Jim said: [quote] "Four of those missions
were truly life-saving missions and ham radio was our only means of communication." [endquote]

This is Ralph Squillace KK6ITB.

(JIM BURGE, KB7SHT)

**
DXPEDITIONERS REASSESS BOUVET PLANNING FOR 2025

JIM/ANCHOR: As Newsline went to production, contributions to next
year's Bouvet Island DXpedition were put on hold - for now. Graham Kemp
VK4BB picks up the story for us.

GRAHAM: The 3Y0K Bouvet Island DXpedition set for January 2025 has
suspended its acceptance of donations temporarily while the team
reassesses its financial picture. The DXpedition made the announcement
on its website 3Y0K dot com (3y0k.com).

DX-World.net posted a statement made on social media by Ken, LA7GIA,
who explained: [quote] "Unfortunately, the financial risk for the small
team is too high and we will spend the next few weeks in April
assessing the situation and deciding what to do. We will explore all
possible options and will return with more information once we have
reached a conclusion." [endquote]

According to the DXpedition website, the team has secured 80 percent of
its $400,000 budget but was still needing $75,000. The 21-day
DXpedition is to have three operators and a four-person support team.

This is Graham Kemp VK4BB.

(DX-WORLD.NET, 3Y0K WEBSITE)

**
SILENT KEY: ELPIDIO "PETE" COBIAN, N6VJD, FORMERLY OF THE BAND
SWEETWATER

JIM/ANCHOR: A musical talent whose group was a headliner at the
Woodstock Music Festival in the 1960s has become a Silent Key. We hear
about him from Paul Braun WD9GCO.

PAUL: On the opening day of the Woodstock Music Festival in upstate New
York in 1969, Elpidio Cobian, N6VJD, enlivened the music of the group Sweetwater with his conga playing, as he always did. A gifted musician,
he later made a career change into the film industry, where he became a
part of different movie set crews. According to his longtime friend,
Leo, KJ6HI, one of the big joys in his life was amateur radio - and his
amateur radio friends. Known to almost everyone as Pete, he died of
natural causes on the 6th of April.

Leo remembered his friend of more than 40 years as someone who made
-and kept - lasting friendships on and off the air. He told Newsline:
[quote] "He was an unselfish operator and was always available to
assist other hams." [endquote] He said Pete was a fixture on 40
and 75 meters where he inspired everyone with his upbeat and endearing personality.

Leo told Newsline: [quote] "We are going to miss him dearly."
[endquote]

Pete was 90 years old.

This is Paul Braun WD9GCO.

(LEO, KJ6HI, SWEETWATERBAND WEBSITE, FACEBOOK)

**
SILENT KEY: LARRY STAPLES, W0AIB, FOUNDER/EDITOR OF LARRY'S LIST

JIM/ANCHOR: A central figure among Kansas City area radio amateurs has
become a Silent Key. We hear about him from Randy Sly, WX4J.

RANDY: As an active and involved ham for six decades, Larry Staples,
W0AIB, was well-known among other amateurs in the Kansas City metro
area -- but he was perhaps best known as publisher of Larry's List. The
popular email message center dispatched ham radio-related emails
relevant to its nearly 2200 subscribers and was considered a mainstay
for radio amateurs in the region.

Larry, who had been a ham since 1960, died on the 17th of April.

In addition to his varied other activities, public service was close to
Larry's heart. He could be counted on to play Santa Claus for mentally challenged youngsters or to coordinate radio assistance, as he did for
more than three decades, with what was then known as the March of Dimes Walk-a-Thons.

73's my friend, you will be missed. This is Randy Sly, W4XJ

**
NASA CONFIRMS ISS DEBRIS HIT FLORIDA HOME

JIM/ANCHOR: NASA has confirmed the claims of a Florida homeowner who
said his house was struck by debris from the International Space
Station which had jettisoned old batteries. The space agency came to
that conclusion after examining it at Kennedy Space Center where it had
been taken after the damage was discovered on March 8th. According to
various news reports, the homeowner had been away at the time but
discovered that part of the ceiling and floor had been damaged.

No one was reported injured.

(SPACE.COM, NBC NEWS)


**
AUTISM AWARENESS WEEK LOGS MORE THAN 17,000 QSOS WORLDWIDE

JIM/ANCHOR: If you were lucky enough to score a QSO with W2A here in
the United States or any other callsigns that were part of the recent
global Autism Awareness Week, join the crowd. Organizer James KB2FMH
reported that logs collected as of April 15th reflect a total of 17,129
QSOs. Contacts were made across 50 US states, 44 Canadian provinces,
146 countries and 6 continents. James said that this translates into
having radio signals travel nearly 83 million miles to carry the
message from 45 volunteer operators worldwide that "it's OK to be
different." Congratulations to the special event team!

(JAMES GALLO, KB2FMH)

**
POTA EVENT SHOWCASES TOP OPERATORS IN PA REGION

JIM/ANCHOR: In what is being described as a first-of-its-kind event,
four top Parks on the Air activators from eastern Pennsylvania will be
setting up stations in a state park in suburban Philadelphia to
showcase one of the fastest-growing activities in amateur radio today
to other hams. Mark Abramowicz (pronouncer - Abram-o-vich), NT3V, has
more from Collegeville, PA.

MARK: Walt Skavinsky KB3SBC, a veteran POTA activator and hunter
himself, came up with the idea for the activation set for Sunday, April
28 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Evansburg State Park, just outside
Philadelphia.

WALT: "They're the League of Extraordinary POTAMEN. And, they're going
to come share their superpowers with you because they're all unique and
you have an opportunity to learn from each one of them."

MARK: Skavinsky says the goal is to demonstrate to hams across the
region how to activate a POTA station, perhaps without much of an
investment in special gear.

WALT: "They can see what equipment that others have already tried and
worked. They might even see equipment they already own."

MARK: The four POTA veterans are Pete Kobak K0BAK, Greg Malone WA3GM,
Joel Rubincam NF3R, and Bill Hewitt W3FRB. Their goal is to showcase
the symbiotic relationship that makes POTA work.

WALT: "The activators can't do their jobs and have fun without the
hunters at home. And, you participate where you can. I tell you a lot
of hunters have become activators and a lot of activators have become
hunters because I want to support my fellow activators out there."

MARK: Skavinsky says whether you're new, experienced or just interested
in exploring it, POTA is one of the places where you can pretty much do
it your own way.

WALT: "Your skill is very important...You have to deal with the
elements. It encompasses everything I find challenging in amateur
radio."

I'm Mark Abramowicz, NT3V, in Collegeville, Pennsylvania.

**
BREAK HERE: Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur
Radio Newsline heard on bulletin stations around the world including
the WI9HF repeater in Madison Wisconsin on Tuesday nights at 7:30.

**
NOTED SCIENTIST HONORED FOR IONOSPHERIC RESEARCH

JIM/ANCHOR: A noted scientist in the UK has been honored for his
contributions to ionospheric research. We hear about him from Jeremy
Boot G4NJH.

JEREMY: His use of the digital protocol FST4W for ionospheric research
has earned Gwyn Griffiths G3ZIL the Les Barclay Memorial Award from the
Radio Society of Great Britain. Gwyn has been an active contributor to
HamSCI, the citizen science investigation group, best known for its
studies of the impact solar eclipses have on the ionosphere. Gwyn, who
has also been honoured as a recipient of the Member of the British
Empire, has utilised the digital protocol to investigate different
aspects of propagation. FST4W is mostly used on the LF and MF bands
using 4-GFSK modulation.

This is Jeremy Boot G4NJH.

(ED EFCHAK, WX2R, RADIO SOCIETY OF GREAT BRITAIN)



**
COURAGE KENNY HANDIHAM MARKS 57 YEARS

JIM/ANCHOR: The Courage Kenny Handiham program is celebrating 57 years
of service with a QSO Party, as we learn from Dave Parks WB8ODF,

DAVE: Congratulations to the Courage Kenny Handiham Program, which is
marking 57 years of providing service, training and experience to
disabled amateur radio operators. In celebration of the program's
longevity and success, the Handiham Radio Club is holding a 48-hour QSO
party and all currently licensed program members are encouraged to get
on the air. The action starts at 1900 UTC on Friday the 26th of April
and continues through 1900 UTC on Sunday the 28th of April. Operators
will be on all amateur bands using all modes, including digital and
VOIP to spotlight the Minnesota-based program and the club.

Operators will be calling CQ Handiham 57. Logs are required and due no
later than June 1st. Contacts can request an anniversary QSL card by
QSLing directly to the program. See details at handiham dot org.
(handiham.org)

This is Dave Parks WB8ODF.

(HANDIHAM)

**
AO-109 CUBESAT EXPECTED TO REENTER ATMOSPHERE

JIM/ANCHOR: The AO-109 CubeSat is expected to re-enter the Earth's
atmosphere soon, as we hear from Patrick Clark K8TAC.

PATRICK: Welcomed into service in low Earth orbit in July of 2021,
AMSAT's AO-109 CubeSat, known as Fox 1E, is ending its successful run.
The satellite is expected to re-enter the atmosphere very soon. This fifth-generation Fox 1-U CubeSat is perhaps best known for having had
the longest CPU uptime, operating continuously for more than 18 million
seconds in the period since September of last year. Hams have been able
to make use of the satellite's 30kHz wide linear transponder.

This is Patrick Clark K8TAC.

(AMATEUR RADIO WEEKLY, AMSAT)

**
NOMINATE NEWSLINE'S NEXT YOUNG HAM OF THE YEAR

PAUL/ANCHOR: We're getting closer to the deadline time for this year's
Bill Pasternak Memorial Young Ham of the Year award. Let Newsline know
of any promising young amateurs who are deserving of this honor.
Candidates must live in the continental United States and be 18 years
of age or younger. Tell our judges about your nominee's talent, promise
and commitment to the spirit of ham radio. This is your chance to help
honor and acknowledge that person who will, no doubt, go on to teach
and inspire others. Find the nomination form on our website
arnewsline.org under the "AWARDS" tab. Nominations close on May
31st.YHOTY

**
HAMS PREPARE FOR SOS RADIO WEEK

JIM/ANCHOR: When does a special event week last a whole month? When
it's SOS Radio Week in the UK. Jeremy Boot G4NJH tells us more.

JEREMY: Throughout the month of May, when the Royal National Lifeboat
Institute conducts its annual fundraiser, "Mayday," hams throughout the
UK will be on board. In recognition of all lifeboat crews, including independent ones and coastal watch keepers, hams will be getting on the
air at various times between the 1st and 31st of May. Listen for
special event station GB0FLB which will be on the air from Fleetwood
lifeboat station on the 4th and 5th of May. The station is being run by Thornton Cleveleys Amateur Radio Society based in Lancashire and is one
of many getting involved. Be listening too for MX0KWA, which is being
operated by the Kent Weald Radio Club at various times from the
Kent/East Sussex coast. For more details about SOS Radio Week and a
full list of stations, visit the link in the text version of this
week's Newsline script at arnewsline.org

This is Jeremy Boot G4NJH.

[DO NOT READ: https://www.sosradioweek.org.uk/ ]

**
WORLD OF DX

In the World of DX, time is running out to work Kevin, N4DVR, who is on
the air as V6DVR from Chuuk, IOTA Number OC-011, in Micronesia. He is
using SSB on 20 through 10 metres. See QRZ.com for QSL details.

Listen for Tom, NL7RR, from Wake Island, IOTA Number OC-053, until the
15th of May. He will be on the air on or around 14.200 MHz using the
callsign KH9/NL7RR, See QRZ.com for QSL details.

Listen for OT2024EPIC (OH TEE TWO ZERO TWO FOUR EPIC), the special
callsign for the Antwerp Port Contest Club, ON8APC. The group is on the
air until the 19th of May to promote the seventh edition of the Antwerp
Port Epic cycling race. The race is being held on May 19th. See QRZ.com
for QSL details.

Seven radio amateurs from Belgium will be active as 5P5LI from Lolland
Island, IOTA Number EU-029, until the 6th of May, operating CW, SSB and
the digital modes on 160-6 metres. QSL via ON6EF, direct or bureau.

(425 DX BULLETiN)

**
KICKER: WHEN EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION ITSELF IS THE CRISIS

JIM/ANCHOR: This week's newscast ends with the story of a beginning: a
new amateur radio club in Indiana is being born in response to a
crisis: what local hams see as a shortfall in the region's disaster communications. Andy Morrison K9AWM has that story.

ANDY: It's just a beginning for the Martin County Amateur Radio Club
but Cory, KD9SHS, sees the growing group as the source of a much-needed capability in disaster reporting and emergency communications. Cory,
the president of the new group, said he got the idea, drawing on his
background as medical and safety officer for a local fire departmet and
a deputy director of county emergency management. Cory is also a
volunteer with the Civilian Crisis Response Team, or CERT, which is a
trained disaster response group.

He told Newsline that 15 hams met with him one recent evening in
response to a Facebook post he made looking for interested radio
operators. The hams suggested that a club be formed first, giving
members the option later to deepen their involvement by joining ARES or
RACES. Since then, he and the club's vice president, Reuben KA9RCM,
have not only seen the group grow but have attracted support from area
clubs. One of the first projects will be to restore the full operation
of a local repeater which has been performing poorly. He told Newsline
that being in a rural county makes access to all corners of the county
even more important.

He told Newsline: It's going to be a great thing for the community. In
fact, he can't wait to look back a year from now to see how things
havegrown.

This is Andy Morrison K9AWM.

(CORY, KD9SHS, FACEBOOK)

**
DO YOU HAIKU?

Don't forget the Amateur Radio Newsline haiku challenge. If you're not
too busy tuning your antennas or chasing the latest DXpedition, pick up
a pencil and share your experience by sending an original haiku to us
here at Newsline. Use the entry form on our website, arnewsline.org and
please follow the rules for writing your three-line haiku -- sorry but
we cannot accept any entries that aren't written in traditional haiku
form. Share with fellow listeners the poetry that is inspired by your
ham radio experience!

NEWSCAST CLOSE: With thanks to Amateur Radio Weekly; AMSAT; CQ
Magazine; Cory, KD9SHS; David Behar K7DB; DXWorld; Facebook; 425DXNews;
Leo, KJ6HI; QRZ.com; NBC.COM; shortwaveradio.de; SpaceNews; Sweetwater
Band website; YouTube; 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 Jim Damron N8TMW in Charleston West Virginia saying 73.
As always we thank you for listening. Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) is
Copyright 2024. All rights reserved.

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