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Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2427 for Friday May 3rd, 2024

Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2427 with a release date of
Friday, May 3rd, 2024 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.

The following is a QST. Hand-hand communication faces a ban in
Pennsylvania. A respected figure in amateur radio publishing becomes a
Silent Key -- and two countries mark the centennial of a historic, record-breaking ragchew. All this and more as Amateur Radio Newsline
Report Number 2427 comes your way right now.

**
BILLBOARD CART

**
PROPOSED PENNSYLVANIA DISTRACTED-DRIVING LAW WORRIES HAMS

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Our top story takes us to Pennsylvania, which is hoping
to become the next state in the US to ban most drivers from using
hand-held wireless devices while on the road. The bill is stirring
emotions in a worried ham radio community, as we hear from Sel Embee
KB3 T Zed D.

SEL: The Pennsylvania State Senate is poised to consider a measure that
would prohibit motorists' use of hand-held communication devices,
especially cellphones. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Rosemary Brown,
passed in the state House of Representatives in early April. The other
house of the state Assembly - the Senate - is its last stop before the governor's desk, where it would become law once signed.

The bill does contain some exemptions: handhelds' use is permitted, for example, by emergency responders. According to several reports, amateur
radio was also exempted in the original language of the bill but was
later removed in the House Transportation Committee.

Miles A. Wicker, Jr., W3ICK, the ARRL's Pennsylvania State government
liaison, told Newsline in an email that the bill, known as SB 37,
remains a "hot topic" among amateurs throughout the state. He said he
reached out to Nolan Ritchie, executive director of the Senate
transportation committee to explain that without an amateur radio
exemption, the impact on hams would be damaging, especially for those
involved in emergency communications. Miles told Newsline: [quote] "He
thanked me for providing the information and stated that they are
working toward a resolution...As of today, this is where we sit."
[endquote]

Meanwhile, Senator Brown's office did not immediately respond to an
email and phone call from Newsline.

This is Sel Embee KB3TZD.

(MILES A. WICKER, W3ICK, TIMES LEADER)

**
SILENT KEY: CQ MAGAZINE PUBLISHER DICK ROSS, K2MGA

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Amateur Radio Newsline shares the deep sorrow of our
colleagues at CQ magazine, who have announced that the magazine's
publisher has become a Silent Key. We hear more about him from Don
Wilbanks, AE5DW.

DON: Richard "Dick" Ross, K2MGA, who became publisher of CQ magazine in
1979 after serving as its editor in the 1960s, became a Silent Key on
Saturday April 27th.

His achievements in the amateur radio publishing universe were many: As president of CQ Communications Inc., he published a number of magazine
titles, including Popular Communications, CQ VHF, CQ Contest,
WorldRadio Online, Communications Quarterly CB Radio, Electronic
Servicing and Technology, Modern Electronics, MicroComputer Journal and
the Music and Computer Educator. He also oversaw production and
publication of CQ books and calendars as well as the CQ video library.
Dick was a friend to Newsline and we could always count on CQ
magazine's support of Newsline's Bill Pasternak Memorial Young Ham of
the Year Award.

In 2010, Dick was honored at Dayton Hamvention where he received the
Special Achievement award.

We at Newsline express our sympathy to Dick's family and his CQ
colleagues. We are all grieving with you.

As Newsline went to production, it was not known what plans would be
made for CQ magazine's future. A memorial service will be scheduled for
Dick sometime later. Dick was 84.

This is Don Wilbanks AE5DW.

(CQ MAGAZINE)

**
SILENT KEY: JOHN HAYS, K7VE, ARDC'S OUTREACH MANAGER

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Our sympathies go out as well to Amateur Radio Digital Communications on the loss of John Hays, K7VE. John, who served ARDC as
its outreach manager, became a Silent Key in late April. ARDC said in a statement on its website: [quote] "He took us from an unheard-of
foundation to one that routinely receives hundreds of grant
applications each year." [endquote] Licensed since 1973, John was a
founding member of numerous ham radio organizations and served as a
Volunteer Examiner.

(ARDC)

**
RESEARCHER SAYS SATELLITES IMPERIL MAGNETOSPHERE

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: A researcher in Iceland is calling satellites a hazard
to the protective shield around Earth known as the magnetosphere. We
have details from Jeremy Boot G4NJH.

JEREMY: A research paper by an American physicist has been stirring
concern about the impact of satellite re-entries on the Earth's
magnetosphere. The scientist, Sierra Solter-Hunt, a doctoral candidate
at the University of Iceland, writes that magnetic dust generated at
the time of satellite re-entry could eventually destroy the planet's
protective shield - a concern accelerated in recent years by the
proliferation of commercial satellite mega-constellations such as the
Starlink network.

An article on the space.com website notes that although meteors are
also known to burn up as they enter our atmosphere, their makeup is not
the same as the man-made satellites.

Several media reports say that the research paper's theory has been
questioned by other scientists who nevertheless agree that the impact
of satellites burning up upon re-entry does require further study.
Sierra Solter-Hunt told space.com that she is grateful there has been
such a robust response.

She said: [quote] "I wanted to get the conversation started."
[endquote]

This is Jeremy Boot G4NJH.

LIVE SCIENCE, WIA, AMSAT NEWS SERVICE, SPACE.COM)

**
FCC PROPOSES $850,000 TOTAL FINES, CHARGING SIX WITH PIRACY

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: The FCC is taking action against more radio stations it
claims engaged in unlicensed operation. Andy Morrison K9AWM brings us
up to date.

ANDY: Six broadcast radio stations in Massachusetts have been charged
with piracy by the US Federal Communications Commission, which is
proposing to levy a total of $850,000 in fines against them.

The stations, along with seven operators who are said to be unlicensed,
were identified as part of a sweep by enforcement agents in the Boston metropolitan area. The agents from the New York and Boston field
offices conducted the investigations under the PIRATE Act, which gives
the FCC increased ability to act against pirate broadcasters by
authorizing fines of as much as $100,000 per violation up to a total of
$2 million. The US Department of Justice is responsible for enforcement
and collection of the fines

The PIRATE Act, which became law in 2020, is an acronym for Preventing
Illegal Radio Abuse Through Enforcement..

This is Andy Morrison K9AWM.

(RADIO WORLD, FCC)

**
NOMINATE OUR NEXT YOUNG HAM OF THE YEAR

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: It's May and that brings us closer to the deadline 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.

**
MARKING A 100-YEAR-OLD RAGCHEW THAT MADE HISTORY

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Two CW ops made history 100 years ago this month - one
in Argentina and the other in New Zealand. That's cause for celebration
as we learn from Jim Meachen ZL2BHF.

JIM: The two-hour ragchew between the ham in Argentina and the ham in
New Zealand was one for the history books as well as the log books
--and indeed, that's just where that contact has been recorded. The CW
contact between Carlos Braggio (BRAJ-EE-OH), CB8, and Ivan O'Meara,
2AC, took place on May 22nd, 1924, setting a world distance record. The
fact that the 7,000-mile chat was on 130 metres stunned scientists who
believed that such a frequency could never support long-distance radio.

The New York Times headline shouted to the world: [quote] "Radio
amateurs talk 7,000 miles for 2 hours; Argentinian and New Zealander
Establish What Is Declared a Record for Non-Professionals."

Starting on the 18th of May, that history, as recorded by NZART
historian Craig Crawford, ZL3TLB, is being celebrated. the New Zealand
Amateur Radio Transmitters and the Radio Club Argentina are marking the centenary of this record-setting contact. Many Argentinian amateurs
will be signing on the air with the prefix of "L" followed by a number,
hoping to exchange greetings with hams in New Zealand. The NZART branch
in Gisborne, where Ivan had his QTH, will host an open house
celebration, also on the 18th of May, at their radio room at the
Eastern Institute of Technology. For the rest of the month, hams from
the Gisborne branch will be on the air using the callsign ZL100AC (Z L
one hundred AC).

Even if there are no two-hour ragchews, no doubt hams will have plenty
to talk about.

This is Jim Meachen ZL2BHF.

(CRAIG CRAWFORD, ZL3TLB)

**
BREAK HERE; Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur
Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including
the K6PVR repeater in Ventura, California on Sundays at 6:30 p.m.
localtime.

**
VETERAN DXPEDITIONER JOINS JARVIS ISLAND N5J TEAM

NEIL/ANCHOR: A veteran Dxpeditioner has joined the team that will be
calling N5J from Jarvis Island. Travis Lisk N3ILS has those details.

TRAVIS: The Jarvis Island DXpedition, N5J, has added a veteran
DXpeditioner to the team, whose plans include remote operation from
this environmentally sensitive Pacific island location.

The Dateline DX Association announced the addition of Adrian, KO8SCA,
as a result of growing interest in the trip to this rare DXCC entity,
which recently got the green light from the US Fish & Wildlife Service
in Hawaii. According to the April 17th announcement, Adrian's talents
as an IT consultant will be a major asset for the remote operation.
Adrian, a YASME Award of Excellence recipient, was recently inducted
into the CQ DX Hall of Fame.

The DXpedition, which is planned for August, has been raising money for
the trip and was recently given a $75,000 grant from the Northern
California DX Foundation.

This is Travis Lisk N3ILS.

(DX-NEWS.COM)

**
KIDS ON THE AIR MAKES ITS HAMVENTION DEBUT

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: The new kids in town at the Xenia Fairgrounds in Ohio
really ARE the new kids in town. A fledgling initiative known as Kids
on the Air is making its Hamvention debut with a booth in the flea
market - and bringing an important message with them. Jack Parker W8ISH
tells us what it's all about.

JACK: Jackson, K6KUK, is returning to Hamvention this year but this
time he's not just a visitor. He'll be accompanied by friends who
helped in the creation of an initiative last November that provides
young hams with a global community: Kids on the Air. The US team
members of this international group are looking to expand on Jackson's
original concept that he first launched on SnapChat as the GenZHams
(Gen Zee Hams) Amateur Radio Club, a social circle for young licensed
amateurs. By the time two dozen or so young amateurs had come on board,
the teens made the effort even more public by setting up a Discord
server and welcoming new members. Jackson began to brainstorm with
Jeff, K4JXX, Nick, KE2BDP and Jackson, KQ4INX, building ideas for other activities, including an Elmer program they're developing as the KOTA curriculum. There is also a multi-mode digital platform called KOTALINK
in the works. Two hams in Australia joined the effort last December.
With the help of Ed, VK1AAK, and Finn VK4ULA, an activation system
known as KOTA - patterned after POTA and SOTA - is now under
development. Jackson told Newsline he invites visitors to the KOTA
booth at Hamvention Meanwhile, for more details about KOTA, visit the
website using the link in the text version of this week's script.

[DO NOT READ: https://kidsontheair.org/ ]

This is Jack Parker W8ISH.

(KIDS ON THE AIR)

**

NETS OF NOTE: THE EAST COAST REFLECTOR YOUTH NET

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: As part of Newsline's occasional series, Nets of Note,
we take a look this week at a net that was created by - and for
-youngsters to open the door to the amateur radio experience. Dave
Parks WB8ODF tells us about it.

DAVE: An electrifying dance by three animated figures greets visitors
to the web page of the East Coast Reflector Youth Net. The 12-second
animation sequence generates excitement for visitors eager to get a
taste of something that is even more electrifying: The Youth Net
itself. The East Coast Reflector has been hosting it for two years.
Thanks to the efforts of two young amateurs, Aidan KD2YFO and Lucca
KD2YHZ, things are going strong every Friday night at 7:30 Eastern
Time. This teenaged team of young net controls hasn't missed a step.

Michael Koenig, K2SHF, said in an email to Newsline that the boys put
hard work and imagination into the net to keep it informal and fun.
Although the net is designed primarily for youth, it's not unusual for
adults to check in to see if they can tackle whatever special "question
of the evening" Aidan and Lucca have dreamed up to break the ice.
Third-party check-ins who are supervised by a licensed amateur can also participate. Michael told Newsline: [quote] "One of the goals of this
net is to spark an interest in amateur radio and allowing non-ham youth
to use a radio under someone else's callsign is a great way to do
that." [endquote]

The East Coast Reflector, W2ECR, is a platform accessible via hundreds
of repeaters and nodes. For details on how to connect, visit the link
in the text version of this week's newscast at arnewsline.org

See Youth Net information under the tab marked "NETS" at the top of the
screen on the web page of the East Coast Reflector. Everyone is welcome
to join the dance.

This is Dave Parks WB8ODF.

[DO NOT READ: https://www.eastcoastreflector.com/welcome-to-ecr/ ]

**
ISLANDS ON THE AIR TO HOST CELEBRATION DINNER

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Reservations are now open for IOTA-60, the celebration
dinner marking six decades of the awards program, as we hear from
Jeremy Boot G4NJH.

JEREMY: The Islands on the Air programme has chosen to mark 60 years of recognised island activation and chasing by having a celebration dinner coinciding with Ham Radio Friedrichshafen. The IOTA-60 dinner will
bring together hunters and activators on Friday the 28th of June at the
V2O Bio Restaurant inside the Zeppelin Museum. Those planning to attend
should purchase tickets and register their menu selections no later
than the 31st of May; admission is by advance tickets only and costs
£38. See the website in the text version of this week's Newsline
script for more details.

This is Jeremy Boot G4NJH.

[DO NOT READ: www.iota-world.org/management-news.html ]

(IOTA)

**
WORLD OF DX

In the World of DX, listen for Bo, OZ1DJJ, using the callsign OX3LX
from Greenland until the 9th of May. He will be operating in his spare
time using FT8, RTTY and CW, from Grid GP60, Grid GP44 and Grid GP 51.
QSL to QSL manager OZ0J.

**
KICKER: WHEN THE SUN'S POWER CAN'T BE ECLIPSED

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Just last month, the sun made news when it went into
hiding during a total eclipse over North America. For our final story,
we introduce a California scientist who is ensuring that the sun makes
news -- not only when it's very visible but when it is sharing some of
its power. Here's Ralph Squillace KK6ITB to tell us more.

RALPH: Ali Hajimiri, K1ALI, is an electrical engineering professor who
wants to put the sun in the spotlight. He believes that the successful
delivery of usable power to Earth from solar panels in space is just a
matter of time. One year ago this month, he conducted what many
scientists considered a pivotal experiment in support of his goal. A
small satellite called the Space Solar Power Demonstrator, which he had launched five months earlier into low-Earth orbit, captured and
transmitted via microwave a small amount of energy from the sun,
illuminating two LEDs on the satellite. At the same time, a receiver
placed on the roof of a campus building at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena picked up the transmitted signal too. The
research team erupted in cheers.

There have been, of course, many who have shared his mindset and dream
over the years. The European Space Agency has its Solaris program which
also focuses on safe space-based solar delivery, a goal shared by the
UK's CASSIOPei satellite project.

The May 22nd, 2023 experiment left the researchers encouraged. Caltech
Magazine called it [quote] "a major milestone toward realizing a
century-long dream." [endquote] As for the professor and his team,
like the sun itself they're still positively beaming.

This is Ralph Squillace KK6ITB.

(PASADENANOW.COM, PVTECH.ORG, IEEE SPECTRUM)

**
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; Craig Crawford, ZL3TLB; David Behar K7DB; DXWorld; East Coast Reflector; Facebook; FCC; 425DXNews; IEEE Spectrum; IOTA; KidsOnTheAir; QRZ.com; Miles A. Wicker, W3ICK; shortwaveradio.de; PasadenaNow.com, PVTech.org; RadioWorld; Times-Leader 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 2024. All rights reserved.

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