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Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2463 for Friday, January 10th 2025
Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2463 with a release date of
Friday, January 10th, 2025 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.

The following is a QST. A record fine for a US ham in an
emergency-interference case. A packet radio network prepares for a
major expansion -- and December storm damage keeps some repeaters in
Australia off the air. All this and more as Amateur Radio Newsline
Report Number 2463 comes your way right now.

**
BILLBOARD CART

**
UNPRECEDENTED FINE FOR HAM IN EMERGENCY-INTERFERENCE CASE

SKEETER/ANCHOR: Our top story takes us to the US state of Idaho, where
a ham radio operator is facing an unprecedented fine from the FCC in a
case of interference with emergency responders. Kent Peterson KC0DGY
has the details.

KENT: Rejecting the appeal of a ham radio operator who interfered with emergency responders' communications during a forest fire, the FCC is
seeking a fine that is unprecedented in such cases.

Explaining its $34,000 penalty against the Idaho radio operator, FCC
Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel wrote: [quote] "You can't interfere with
public safety communications." [Endquote] The FCC's action came after
finding Jason Frawley, WA7CQ, was not authorized to transmit on the
frequency being used by Forest Service firefighters battling the blaze
in July of 2021. Although the FCC issued the notice of liability in
2022, they did not adopt the penalty until late December. The agency
did not explain the delay.

Frawley has acknowledged he was on the government frequency, 151.145
MHz, but told the FCC he had no malicious intent and was simply trying
to assist the firefighters' aircraft being used to suppress the flames.
He told the FCC he cannot afford to pay the penalty and submitted
financial documents to support his request. He has asked that the
penalty be reduced or eliminated.

This is Kent Peterson KC0DGY.

(RADIO WORLD, FCC)

**
STORM DAMAGE KEEPS AUSTRALIAN REPEATERS OFF AIR

SKEETER/ANCHOR: An important group of repeaters in New South Wales,
Australia, will remain silent throughout January, after suffering storm
damage in mid-December. Graham Kemp VK4BB has that update.

GRAHAM: Several repeaters operated by the Oxley Region Amateur Radio
Club VK2BOR were knocked off the air during storms on the 13th of
December. The damage was said to cause the worst disruption of
operations in more than half-a-century for the repeaters at the Middle
Brother site near Port Macquarie.

According to news reports, the host's power distribution system
suffered lightning damage. The repeaters, which use the callsign
VK2RPM, are not expected back in service until later this month.

This is Graham Kemp VK4BB.

(VK2NEWS, WIA)

**
SWISS PUBLIC BROADCASTER SHUTS ANALOGUE FM REPEATERS

SKEETER/ANCHOR: Hundreds of FM transmitters have been shut down by Switzerland's public broadcaster, as radio programming there continues
to move to different modes of distribution. Jeremy Boot G4NJH has more
for us.

JEREMY: FM radio broadcasting continued its vanishing act when in
Switzerland on the 31st of December, when the Swiss Broadcasting
Corporation shut off an estimated 850 analogue FM transmitters, leaving listeners the options of either Internet radio or DAB+ for stations
SRF1, SRF2 Kultur and SRF3.

The changeover by the nation's public broadcaster now leaves about 24
private radio stations still transmitting their programmes over
broadcast FM. However, they are expected to follow the SBC's move,
completing the transition no later than the end of 2026.

The Swiss Federal Office of Communications reports that the popularity
of DAB+ and Internet radio has been growing consistently since 2015
while only 10 percent of the nation's radio listeners still tune in to broadcast FM - most whilst driving in their vehicles.

This is Jeremy Boot G4NJH.

(SWLING POST, SWISSINFO.CH)

**
AMATEUR RADIO LESSONS FOR CIVIL SERVICE OFFICERS IN INDIA

SKEETER/ANCHOR: Improving the efficiency and quality of emergency
traffic was at the heart of recent ham radio training sessions for
civil service officers in India. Jason Daniels VK2LAW explains what was involved.

JASON: Emergency communication was front and centre for a group of 30
officers in the West Bengal Civil Service who recently completed
amateur radio training as part of their duties in a part of India often
beset by weather emergencies and natural disasters. State officials
asked the West Bengal Radio Club to lead the instruction, which
included an overview of the wireless laws from the Ministry of Telecommunication. The officers learned about their responsibilities as licensees and received demonstrations on the various modes of
transmission during emergencies. As in other parts of the world, radio
amateurs throughout India partner regularly with state agencies to pass emergency traffic and facilitate evacuations, rescues and civilian preparedness.

This is Jason Daniels VK2LAW.

(THE MILLENNIUM POST)

'** PACKET RADIO NETWORK LOOKING TO EXPAND

SKEETER/ANCHOR: As packet radio gains wider usage among hams involved
in emergency communications, one East Coast network is looking to add
more nodes to deepen its reach. Andy Morrison K9AWM tells us what's
planned.

ANDY: Using mostly NVIS-range links, the Packet Radio RF Forwarding
Network, or TPRFN, connects standalone nodes and VHF/UHF packet
networks to HF bands. The result is efficient, low-bandwidth
communication valued for its simple infrastructure and reliability as
well as its interoperability with email, internet gateways and SMS.
Radios, modems and simple hardware form its backbone.

In the US, the network reaches as far south as Florida and as far north
as Maine. Operators are now hoping to create an NVIS-link between Maine
and NY and another one between Florida and Virginia. Just as important
is its goal of adding more nodes, especially those connecting the East
Coast to any states farther west. At present there is only one node
west of the region and that is in Wisconsin. According to the website,
the network also needs more nodes in the northeastern US.

All of this planning comes as the operators prepare for their first net
of the new year, which will take place on Sunday the 19th of January at
00:00 UTC. Additional details can be found on their website at tprfn
dot net (tprfn.net)

As the website notes, the ultimate goal is to [quote] "provide valuable
digital communications without the need for the Internet." [Endquote]

This is Andy Morrison K9AWM.

(QRZ.COM, AMATEUR RADIO DAILY, THE PACKET RADIO RF FORWARDING NETWORK)


**

PRIVILEGES EXTENDED IN GERMANY FOR 6M and 4M

SKEETER/ANCHOR: Amateurs in Germany received the welcome news that
their access to the 6- and 4-metre bands is being extended. We have
the details from Jeremy Boot G4NJH.

JEREMY: The German regulatory office for telecommunications has granted temporary access for 6 metres for Class E licence holders at 100 watts
between 50 and 50.4 MHz and using reduced power of 25 watts between
50.4 and 52 MHz on a non-interference basis.

The trial period lasts until December of 2025 for Class E amateurs, the equivalent of the US General Class operator.

According to the regulator's announcement made in December, Full
licence holders are receiving extended access to 6 metres at the same
power levels and 70.150-70.210 MHz in the 4-Metre band at 25 watts of
power on a trial basis until December 2026.

This is Jeremy Boot G4NJH.

(BNETZA)

**
'SPACE JUNK' FROM ROCKET LANDS IN KENYAN VILLAGE

SKEETER/ANCHOR: Space junk - especially the kind that falls to earth
-is back in the news. This time it has found its way to Africa. John
Williams VK4JJW has an update.

JOHN: The Kenya Space Agency has been studying what it believes to be a 1,100-pound, or 500 kg, fragment of a rocket that landed in a village
in the southern part of the nation. According to news reports, the
metallic ring landed in Mukuku village on the 30th of December sometime
around 3 p.m. local time. The heavy object is about 8 feet, or 2.5
metres, in diameter.

The space agency issued a statement describing the fragment as a
separation ring that had been part of a launch vehicle - something
typically designed to re-enter Earth's atmosphere and fall in an
uninhabited area or burn up upon re-entry.

According to the New York Times, no one was injured or killed by the
object. However, experts have expressed concern over the frequency of
such incidents involving space debris.

This is John Williams VK4JJW.

(CBS NEWS, NY TIMES)
**

BREAK HERE: Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur
Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including
the K9DEW repeater in Warsaw, Indiana, at 7:30 p.m. local time
following the 7 p.m. weekly net.

**
PENNSYLVANIA AMATEURS CONTINUE PROGRAM TO AID VETERANS

SKEETER/ANCHOR: It's only January but it's not too early to start
thinking about another month that begins with the letter "J" - July.
It's all for a good cause. Here's Travis Lisk N3ILS to explain.

TRAVIS: For many here in the United States, what goes better with
celebrating a nation's independence than acknowledging a unique program
that has helped encourage the independence of injured US military
veterans since 1942? The program is Stamps for the Wounded and in
Pennsylvania, the Holmesburg Amateur Radio Club has embraced supporting
it as one of their special missions. Independence Day in the US arrives
on the 4th of July - and is marked by the popular 13 Colonies Special
Event. The Holmesburg club, which participates in the event - and runs
the bonus station WM3PEN - sends QSL cards accompanied by literature
about Stamps for the Wounded. People around the world send stamps that
can be used in projects to pique disabled veterans' interest in
culture, history and stamp collecting itself. Bob Josuweit, WA3PZO, the
club's acting secretary, said stamps from hams' QSL cards have always
been an invaluable source.

The club received a big thank-you from Rob Jenson, president of Stamps
for the Wounded, at the end of 2024. For information about donating
undamaged, used stamps, contact Rich Shivers, K3UJ, or visit stampsforthewounded.org

By the way, there's no need to wait until July to send stamps. Any
support can be thought of as a real special event.

This is Travis Lisk N3ILS.

(HARC, BOB JOSUWEIT, WA3PZO)

**
WORLD OF DX

In the World of DX, Felix, DL5XL is using the callsign DP1POL from the
German research station Neumayer [NOY MY URR] III, Antarctica, IOTA
number AN-016, from the 12th of January through to the 25th of
February. Felix will be operating mainly CW on the HF bands but will
use some SSB and digital modes. QSL via DL1ZBO.

Listen for Darren, VK4MAP, operating holiday style as H40DA from
Pigeon Island in the Reef Islands, IOTA number OC-065, for a few weeks.
Darren is using SSB on 80, 40, 20, 15, 12 and 10 metres. QSL direct to
his home call.

There will be a year-long celebration of the patents registered by
Guglielmo Marconi organized by ARI Fidenza. Operators will be using
special callsigns throughout 2025. The callsign for January is II4FPEN,
for February II4FPUS and for March, II4SHLD. To learn more about this
on-air activity and to see other callsigns for more of the months
ahead, visit www.arifidenza.it You can also find details about the
"Marconi - Patented By" award.

Livio, IZ3BUR, will be using the callsign J52EC from Guinea-Bissau from
the 26th of January to the 1st of March. He will operate holiday style
on 20, 15 and 10 metres SSB and possibly digital modes. QSL direct
to his home call.

(425 DX BULLETIN)

**
KICKER: CHASING POTA, BUT ANSWERING A DIFFERENT CALL

SKEETER/ANCHOR: It is a source of pride for Parks on the Air hunters to
get a Worked All States award, a park-to-park award or any number of
the recognitions for top performance. One chaser in Arizona, however,
knows that there's something even better than logging a new park or a
new country while hunting POTA - it's helping a fellow ham in distress.
Our final story this week comes from Ralph Squillace KK6ITB.

RALPH: Mike Nester, KL7KTP, had a simple enough goal - to work POTA
activator Zach Smith, K5WZS, who was engulfed in a pileup on New Year's
Day while at US-3051, Ray Roberts Lake State Park in Texas. Mixed in
with his "CQ" and that massive blend of callsigns was yet another call
- it was unmistakable, to Mike's ears, as "Mayday." Relating the story
on Facebook, Zach said he could barely copy it but he knew that Mike,
in Green Valley, Arizona, had picked it up. For Mike, that signal grew
steadily stronger: It was Julie N6EKO who was with another ham in June
Lake, California. Neither one was reporting any injuries but both were
in a vehicle that was stuck in the snow. They were stranded. Julie was
able to provide GPS coordinates to Mike, who reached out to their local sheriff.

Zach said that meanwhile he learned that a good Samaritan came by and
was able to pull them out with a tow strap. Mike, who is a retired
firefighter, said that while this situation resolved quickly, it could
have just as easily gone in another direction, escalating into an
emergency as the day went on. He told Newsline in an email: [quote]
"Imagine how things could go if stuck in the wilderness in the winter
and the sun goes down!...I learned very early in my career that an
emergency to someone...is any situation that an individual has found
themselves in that has gone beyond their capabilities to handle." [end
quote]

A good reminder for the year ahead from Mike: Amateur radio is a lot of
things - but such calls should be serious business to all of us.

This is Ralph Squillace KK6ITB.

(FACEBOOK, MIKE NESTER, KL7KTP)

**
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 the Amateur Radio Daily; BNetZa; Bob
Josuweit, WA3PZO; CBS News; David Behar K7DB; Facebook; FCC; 425DXNews; Holmesburg Amateur Radio Club; Mike Nester, KL7KTP; Millennium Post;
New York Times; QRZ.com; Packet Radio RF Forwarding Network;
RadioWorld.com; SWLing Post; shortwaveradio.de; VK2News; Wireless
Institute of Australia; 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 Skeeter Nash N5ASH in Jonesboro, Arkansas saying 73. As
always we thank you for listening. Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) is
Copyright 2025. All rights reserved.

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