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Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2477 for Friday, April 18th, 2025 Amateur
Radio Newsline Report Number 2477 with a release date of Friday, April
18th, 2025 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1

The following is a QST. Hams gain an exemption from Iowa's
distracted-driving law. A popular digital amateur radio newsletter
prepares to hold its first big conference; and a dramatic rescue of a
SOTA operator on a California mountain. All this and more as Amateur
Radio Newsline Report Number 2477 comes your way right now.

**
BILLBOARD CART

**
HAMS GAIN EXEMPTION IN IOWA'S DISTRACTED-DRiVING LAW

JIM/ANCHOR: Our top story this week is about the distracted-driving law
in states around the US that prohibits drivers from sending text
messages or performing other functions with a handheld device. Iowa
has just become the 31st state to add language to their law exempting
licensed hams from those restrictions. Dave Parks WB8ODF tells us what
that means.

DAVE: Amateur radio operators in Iowa have won an exemption to the
state's new distracted-driving law that takes effect on the 1st of
July. The governor signed the bill into law on the 2nd of April after
both the state House and Senate passed it overwhelmingly. It bans
drivers from using mobile phones or any wireless device while behind
the wheel unless it is in hands-free or voice-activated mode. The bill,
which was five years in the making, exempts licensed hams who are using
two-way radios. Iowa joins 30 other states, including New York, Arizona
and Minnesota, in granting hams permission to operate their radios
while driving.

This is Dave Parks WB8ODF.

(DES MOINES REGISTER; KCCI DES MOINES; ARRL)

**
REGULATOR SEEKS COMMENT ON AUSTRALIA'S CLASS-LICENSE CONDITIONS

JIM/ANCHOR: In Australia, the communications regulator is looking for
input on some minor changes in language affecting the nation's new
amateur Class License, as we hear from Graham Kemp VK4BB.

GRAHAM: The Radiocommunications Licence Conditions Determination 2015,
which provides conditions on the use of amateur radio assigned and
non-assigned licences, is being reviewed by The Australian
Communications and Media Authority before it expires on 1 October 2025.
While many amateurs now operate under the Radiocommunications Class
Licence 2023, existing non-assigned amateur licences will continue to
exist and operate under the conditions of the 2015 Amateur LCD until
they expire. The authority's goal is to fine-tune the language of the
LCD so it aligns with the new amateur Class Licence. Although the ACMA
is seeking comments from the public, the authority stresses that this
review is not considering major changes, such as amateur access to
bands, but a list of simple recommendations that are now available for
viewing in draft form.

Comments are due no later than Monday the 26th of May at 5 p.m. AEST.

To see the draft document, follow the link in the text version of this
week's newscast at arnewsline.org

[DO NOT READ: https://tinyurl.com/494x4ssz ]

This is Graham Kemp VK4BB.

(ACMA)



**
SILENT KEY: BOB FAY, WB0NPN, EMERGENCY RESPONDER AND MENTOR

JIM/ANCHOR: Hams in Ohio are mourning the loss of a friend, a mentor
and a familiar face to visitors at the Voice of America Museum. We
learn about him from Neil Rapp WB9VPG.

NEIL: If you've ever been to the Voice of America Museum in West
Chester, Ohio, it's possible you met Bob Fay, WB0NPN. He was an active
member and past officer of the West Chester Amateur Radio Association
which has its shack inside the museum.

Bob became a Silent Key on the 5th of April.

First licensed in 1973, Bob was especially devoted to public service
and emergency communications in different states through the years. He
had been active in Hamilton County Ohio ARES as well as Lake County
Illinois RACES and was a special deputy sheriff for the Hennepin
County, Minnesota Mobile Amateur Radio Corps. He had also been deeply
involved in emergency communications in Riverside and Los Angeles
counties in California.

His long tenure as a ham deepened his appreciation for radio and he
especially loved sharing his enthusiasm and expertise with the next
generation. A proud moment for him was his receipt of an Elmer Award in
2016 from Christopher Brault, KD8YVJ - now KK8C -- after Chris became
the 2015 recipient of the Hiram Percy Maxim Award from the ARRL.

Bob was 89.

This is Neil Rapp WB9VPG.

(JOCELYN BRAULT, KD8VRX, QRZ.COM)

**
SILENT KEY: SHIRLEY HARDSTAFF, VK7HSC, INNOVATOR AND ADVOCATE

JIM/ANCHOR: Hams in Australia - especially the close-knit community of
YLs in Tasmania - are grieving after one of their own has become a
Silent Key. They describe as a leader, an innovator and inspiring
force, as we hear from John Williams VK4JJW.

JOHN: Remembered for her leadership and her personal touch as president
of the North West Tasmania Amateur Radio Club, Shirley Hardstaff
VK7HSC, had been immersed in amateur radio since the first day she got
her licence.

A familiar face to many in the Australian Ladies Amateur Radio
Association, or ALARA, and at many gatherings in Tasmania, Shirley
became a Silent Key on the 5th of April.

Her friends recalled her as someone with a leadership style that
brought a personal touch to YL meet-ups, placing less of an emphasis on business and committee formalities and more focus on social
interaction. In 2019, she organised and funded the Bi-Monthly Chat and
Show which was held at the Penguin Rec Centre and later the Ulverstone
Rec Centre, until 2021.

Her on-air presence embraced traditional HF as well as other modes,
including Echolink, DMR, IRLP and SSTV. She often served as stand-in
net control for the Mount Duncan Net and a big supporter of the
Scouting event Jamboree on the Air.

Shirley, who was the VK7 representative to ALARA from 2010 to 2014, was
elected president of the North West Tasmania Amateur Radio Club in
2010. She stepped down in 2023. She and her late husband, Max, VK7KY,
were widely known for their travels and were familiar faces at ham
radio events around Tasmania.

Shirley was 83.

This is John Williams VK4JJW.

(NORMA O'HARE, VK2YL, ANNE LANDERS, VK7BYL)

**
ZERO RETRIES NEWSLETTER HOSTING INAUGURAL CONFERENCE

JIM/ANCHOR: The Zero Retries newsletter, which offers readers articles
on technology and innovation in ham radio, is branching out to host its
first digital conference later this year. It will be held in Washington
State. We have details from George Zafiropoulos KJ6VU.

GEORGE: September will be a big month for technology and innovation in
amateur radio - and at the inaugural Zero Retries Digital Conference,
many of the articles readers have enjoyed in the newsletter will come
to life: Those attending can expect to hear about the IP400 Networking
Project, and see demonstrations of the M17 Digital Voice/Data system
and the MMDVM-TNC data system. Conference manager Tina Stroh KD7WSF
expects to put out requests for presenters very soon and will make a
sign-up sheet available online.

The conference will be held on the 13th of September at the Edward D.
Hansen Conference Center in Everett, Washington.

The Hansen conference center will be transformed into a kind of
epicenter of digital innovation at that time. The Zero Retries
conference is taking place just as GRCon 2025 wraps up. GRCon is the
annual conference for the GNU Radio project and community, That
conference runs from Monday September 8th through to Friday September
12th. Although the two events share the same venue, they are not
connected to one another.

Invitations to the Zero Retries conference are expected to be sent out
shortly.

This is George Zafiropoulos KJ6VU.

(ZERO RETRIES)

**
BIG WELCOME FOR YOUNGSTERS AT HAMVENTION ON MAY 17TH

JIM/ANCHOR: If you are a high school student, or even younger, the
easiest way to attend Hamvention is to simply show up on Saturday the
17th of May at the Greene County Fair and Expo Center. Admission is
free that day for youngsters. Young visitors who want an experience
that's designed just for them are also able to attend the Youth Rally,
a special day-long program designed to offer students a variety of
hands-on experiences in amateur radio. It is led by Steve Goodgame,
K5ATA, the ARRL's education and learning manager. Students get to take
part in a short on-air sprint, contact a parachute mobile radio
operator and learn about satellite communications. Youngsters are
encouraged to bring a 2-meter HT if they have one.

Unlike admission to the fairgrounds, advance registration is
recommended for the Youth Rally and costs $20.

(ARRL)

**

NOMINATE OUR NEXT YOUNG HAM OF THE YEAR

JIM/ANCHOR: Each year, the Amateur Radio Newsline Bill Pasternak
Memorial Young Ham of the Year Award receives nominations of promising
young hams who truly impress our judges. It is time once again to give
them an opportunity at the recognition they deserve. Consider
nominating an amateur radio operator 18 years of age or younger here in
the continental United States. Consider someone who has talent, promise
and a commitment to the spirit of ham radio. Find application forms on
our website arnewsline.org under the "YHOTY" tab. We are accepting
nominations through May 31st.

**

BREAK HERE: Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur
Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including
the K7MMA repeater in Spokane, Washington on Fridays at 5 p.m.
localtime.

**

FIRST YOTA JUNIOR CAMP

JIM/ANCHOR: The application period is open for Youth on the Air Junior
Camp, which is makiNg its debut this year for amateur radio operators
under the age of 15. Applicants must have a valid US ham radio license
and will be expected to attend with a parent or guardian who needn't
have a license themselves. This is a three-day version of the YOTA
region wide camps for older youngsters and is modeled after the Kids on
the Air program in IARU Region 1. It will take place in July at the
Voice of America Museum in West Chester, Ohio. For details visit yota.org.
**

HAM RADIO TAKES 1ST JOURNEY ON FLORIDA TRAIL EVENT

JIM/ANCHOR: In the US, a recent 10-mile hike along one section of the
Florida Scenic Trail became a journey of discovery, not necessarily for
the hikers who know the trail well - but for the activity's organizers.
They learned the value that amateur radio can bring to the experience
for everyone. Jack Parker W8ISH tells us more about it.

JACK: A group known as the Tropical Trekkers has been celebrating the anniversary of a 10-mile stretch of the Florida Scenic Trail since it
was opened to hikers 7 years ago. With mobile phones in hand, the
organizers have traditionally tracked the celebration's hikers with as
much accuracy as intermittent cellular service would allow. That is,
until this year.

In late March, seven amateur radio operators were dispatched to
checkpoints every 3 or so miles along the trail and used VHF simplex to
ensure that no hikers became lost, injured or in need of assistance
during this annual event. Mike Gormley, WA8VEC, a longtime trail
supporter, told Newsline that the presence of radio was a natural for
the trail event - and he was relieved when his offer to bring a team of volunteers was accepted.

Mike has known the needs of trail life well. For years he has been
known as "Water Boy" for his regular placement and replenishment of
fresh water jugs along a 30-mile stretch of trail during hiking season.
So far this year, he has already distributed 195 gallons.

He also volunteers with the Tropical Trekkers, his chapter of the
Florida Trail Association, to help with the physical maintenance of 70
miles of trail.

Nine months before this year's event, Mike and his team of radio
volunteers - some of whom are also part of ARES or activate POTA
-started developing written forms and a protocol for tracking the
hikers' whereabouts. On the day of the hike, they even provided return
shuttle service for those who finished at the far end of thetrail.

This is not the journey's end, however. The team has been invited back
and is already planning for next year. Mike said that perhaps next time
they'll make use of Winlink too.

This is Jack Parker W8ISH.

(MIKE GORMLEY, WA8VEC)

**

RSGB HONORS 2 FROM HAMSCI FOR PROPAGATION STUDIES

JIM/ANCHOR: The Radio Society of Great Britain has recognized
achievements of two key members of the US-based citizen science
investigation team, HamSCI. Jeremy Boot G4NJH tells us more.

JEREMY: Congratulations to Nathaniel Frissell, W2NAF, and Gwyn
Griffiths, G3ZIL, whose studies of ionospheric propagation with Ham
Radio Science Citizen Investigation, or HamSCI, has been honoured by
the Radio Society of Great Britain.

The Les Barclay Memorial Award has been given to Nathaniel for HamSCI's contributions in elevating amateur radio-based citizen science to a
higher profile. The award is being given to him by the RSGB Propagation
Studies Committee. He is the founder of HamSCI.

Gwyn is the author of a series of articles published in several issues
of the RSGB magazine, RadCom, in 2024. She has been recognised through
the society's Wortley-Talbot Trophy which recognises in particular her
article, "Height of Reflections at HF," that appeared in the August
2024 magazine issue. She is a longtime member of the HamSCI community.

This is Jeremy Boot G4NJH. (HAMSCI)

**

WORLD OF DX

In the World of DX, Andy, G7SQW, is operating as EJ/G7SQW from
Arranmore Island, IOTA number EU-121, on the 19th and 20th of April.
Andy will be on the HF bands using SSB and the digital modes. See
QRZ.com for QSL details.

Members of the Rede dos Emissores Portugueses will be activating three callsigns marking World Amateur Radio Day between the 18th and 24th of
April. Listen for CR1IARU from the Azores, IOTA number EU-175, CR3IARU
from Madeira, IOTA number AF-014 and CR5IARU from mainland Portugal.
QSLs via CT1REP.


Peter, PD1RP, is celebrating the 80th anniversary since the end of the
German occupation of the Netherlands during World War II. He is on the
air as PD80FREE until the 30th of June. All QSOs will be confirmed automatically via the bureau.

(425 DX BULLETIN)

**
KICKER: THE SUMMIT OF EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

JIM/ANCHOR: Emergency preparedness comes in many shapes. It can be an
organized drill, a regularly scheduled net or, as three hams in
California recently found out, it can be as simple as leaving your
2-meter rig on and monitoring it. Ralph Squillace brings us this week's
final story - a tale of rescue following serious injury on a
snow-encrusted SOTA summit..

RALPH: Greg Davidson, KF6CNS, recalls sitting in his garage with a
friend in late March when a call for help came over on the 2-meter
simplex calling frequency. Vincent LeVeque KF6FLJ had been hoping for a
day of SOTA on Mt. Williamson in the Angeles National Forest when his
hike ended in a 150-foot slide down the hillside and a bone-breaking
crash into a tree. Vincent had dropped his mobile phone; his emergency
beacon had little power remaining - but he was able to call for help on
his handy talkie. Greg received that call 50 miles away thanks to a
large commercial antenna at home. His immediate telephone outreach
eventually led him to Will Richards KJ6JJB, operations leader of county sheriff's Montrose Search & Rescue. Will dispatched a helicopter and
stayed on the phone with Greg who was maintaining radio contact with
Vincent. Pinning down the location's coordinates precisely posed a
challenge for the helicopter but Vincent was soon spotted, his bright
orange windbreaker standing out against the snow.

Vincent told Newsline he was airlifted to the nearest trauma center for
surgery on his femur and he is now recovering. He said Greg's
attentiveness to the calling frequency that day may well have saved his
life. Will quickly noted, however, that Vincent himself did some
emergency preparedness too: the dashboard of his parked car held a map
of his intended hiking route -- and another option to track him down.
He said that both Vincent and Greg "did everything right."

This is Ralph Squillace KK6ITB.

(GREG DAVIDSON, KF6CNS; WILL RICHARDS, KJ6JJB; VINCENT LEVEQUE, KF6FLJ)

Have you sent in your amateur radio haiku to Newsline's haiku challenge
yet? It's as easy as writing a QSL card. Set your thoughts down using traditional haiku format - a three-line verse with five syllables in
the first line, seven in the second and five in the third. Submit your
work on our website at arnewsline.org - each week's winner gets a
shout-out on our website, where everyone can find the winning haiku.

NEWSCAST CLOSE

With thanks to Amateur Radio Daily; Anne Landers, VK7BYL; ARRL; David
Behar K7DB; Des Moines Register; 425 DX Bulletin; Greg Davidson,
KF6CNS; HamSCI; Jocelyn Brault, KD8VRX; KCCI; Mike Gormley, WA8VEC;
Norma O'Hare, VK2YL; QRZ.com; Radio Society of Great Britain; Radio
World; shortwaveradio.de; Tech Central; Vincent LeVeque, KF6FLJ; Will
Richards, KJ6JJB; Wireless Institute of Australia; YouTube; Zero
Retries; 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 2025. All rights reserved.

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