XPost: rec.radio.amateur.moderated, rec.radio.amateur.policy, rec.radio.info

Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2476 for Friday, April 11th, 2025 Amateur
Radio Newsline Report Number 2476 with a release date of Friday, April
11th, 2025 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.

The following is a QST. Mt. Athos contacts will be honored for the DXCC
awards program. Meteor scatter exercise provides a dress rehearsal for
2 later this year -- and get ready for World Amateur Radio Day.. All
this and more as Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2476 comes your
way right now.

**
BILLBOARD CART

**
MOUNT ATHOS CONTACTS DEEMED VALID TOWARD DXCC

SKEETER/ANCHOR: Our top story brings us the resolution of a question
that had been simmering since the Mt. Athos DXpedition team terminated
its activation suddenly this past January amid controversy. If you
contacted the team, there is some good news for you, as we hear from
Jim Damron N8TMW.

JIM: The DXCC Desk of the ARRL has determined that contacts made with
the SV1GA/A team at Mt. Athos this past January meet the criteria for
counting toward the DXCC award program. The ARRL made the announcement
on its website on Friday, the 4th of April. DX chasers had been waiting
to hear whether their QSOs counted ever since the team's planned 10-day operation was quickly and unexpectedly halted amid controversy. Local authorities challenged whether the hams had obtained the appropriate
permission to be there.

Mt. Athos, an autonomous region governed by the monastic community in northeastern Greece, is a World Heritage Site and 28th on the ClubLog
Most Wanted List.

The ARRL ended its announcement by saying: [quote] "Any future
operations by this team from Mt. Athos will require additional
documentation for securing accreditation for DXCC credit." [endquote]

This is Jim Damron N8TMW.

(ARRL)

**
HAMS INVITED TO MONITOR METEOR SCATTER EVENTS

SKEETER/ANCHOR: There will be April showers - meteor showers, that is
-and volunteers are needed to monitor an event this month that is known
as the Lyrids shower. Andy Morrison K9AWM has the details

ANDY: This is a big year for meteor-scatter experiments to be conducted
by HamSCI during the Perseids showers in August and the Geminids
showers in December. For hams who are hoping to participate in either
or both of the Meteor Scatter QSO Parties taking place during those
events, there is important work to be done this month.

The citizen science research group is encouraging operators to get
ready by setting up your equipment now in time for the Lyrids shower,
which will be peaking on the 21st and 22nd of April. The days before
and after those dates are also expected to provide good opportunities
to take advantage of meteor scatter. Radio operators may participate
either actively by calling CQ or passively, by monitoring and
reporting.

Operators may use MSK144 within the WSJT-X software on both 10 and 6
metres. SWLs and hams may also participate passively by monitoring via
PSK Reporter to send in their findings.

Details about HamSCI's plans for the meteor-scatter investigations can
be found at the link that appears in the text version of this week's
newscast at arnewsline.org

This is Andy Morrison K9AWM.

DO NOT READ hamsci.org/msqp-poster

(HAMSCI)

**
HAMS WEIGH IN ON FCC INVITATION FOR REGULATION COMMENTS

SKEETER/ANCHOR: With Friday, April 11th, as its deadline for initial
comments, the US Federal Communications Commission will begin reviewing
public suggestions on what regulations to cut to reduce unnecessary
agency burdens - regulations covering everything from commercial
broadcasting to consumer wireless devices to satellite operation.
Outside the commercial sector, ham radio operators have weighed in too,
as we hear from Paul Braun WD9GCO.

PAUL: Suggestions varied widely among hams who responded to the FCC's invitation - but for the most part there appeared to be a strong call
for continued regulation of amateur radio with no changes to the
three-tier license system or testing. Some hams did request changes
-either that the license system be streamlined - or simply be
eliminated. The spectrum appeared to be a major concern, as some hams
pressed the FCC to retain amateur privileges on the current bands. The
FCC has set April 28th as the deadline for reply comments. All filings
on the FCC website should be made in reference to Docket Number 25-133.

This is Paul Braun WD9GCO.

(FCC, RADIO WORLD)

**
'MUD MOSEY' IS A RAIN OR SHINE EVENT

SKEETER/ANCHOR: Using the communications style of a tactical net, a
team of hams in Pennsylvania has become a reliable source of
reassurance at an event known as a "Mud Mosey." Travis Lisk N3ILS
explains.

TRAVIS: The forecast for Saturday, April 12th is irrelevant. Under gray
skies or sun, the second annual Great Marsh Mud Mosey and Mud Walk
moves forward in Pennsylvania.

As Tom Costello, KC3TMT, told Newsline: [quote] "It's rain or shine,
that's why they call it the Mud Mosey." [endquote]

Tom is at the helm of a collection of hams from Remote Communications
and Command - or RCOMM for short. This is the second year they are
serving as communications support for this fundraiser, which benefits
the Great Marsh Institute, a 700-acre natural and scientific
environment and ChesCo Search Dogs, a nonprofit group that works with
search and rescue operations.

The job for the team of 15 amateurs at the Mud Mosey is to keep the
line of communications open on 2-meter simplex through a modified
tactical net for the benefit of the 80 to 100 runners or walkers on the 5-kilometer path. The trail - like the event name suggests - can get
more than a little bit down and dirty, even for the more mellow
participants who tackle their shorter route as a 1-mile walk. Tom said
that next year's operations may be conducted with the addition of a
mobile repeater.

The day is serious business but in a light, family-friendly party
atmosphere. The Mud Mosey hour passes quickly and then the focus turns
to the search-dog demonstrations, the DJ and the food and beverage
trucks. That makes it all - hopefully - more fun-packed than
mud-packed.

This is Travis Lisk N3ILS.

(TOM COSTELLO, KC3TMT)

**
HAM RADIO NEWS PRESENTER RETIRES AT 101

SKEETER/ANCHOR: From time to time, we here at Newsline like to
acknowledge some of our colleagues in amateur radio media, people who
-like us - work to keep hams around the world informed. One of them is
retiring from the GB2RS newscast in the UK at the age of 101 - and we
are about to learn more about him from Jeremy Boot G4NJH.

JEREMY: Happy birthday and happy retirement to Peter Valentine, G0NQZ,
who upon reaching the age of 101 on the 12th of April, has decided to
take things a little easier.....but only just a little. Peter is still
an active radio ham and participant in regular nets, including the HF
nets of the International Short Wave League and the Radio Amateurs Old
Timers' Association. Peter has to his credit an enviable record as a
presenter for the Radio Society of Great Britain's GB2RS report. Best
wishes and see you on the air, Peter!

This is Jeremy Boot G4NJH.

(RSGB)

**
NOMINATE OUR NEXT YOUNG HAM OF THE YEAR

SKEETER/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.

**
THE WORLD IS MARKING WORLD AMATEUR RADIO DAY

SKEETER/ANCHOR: Hams around the globe are marking World Amateur Radio
Day on April 18th and ham radio clubs and other groups have been
devoting a day - or even the whole month - to a variety of activities
to celebrate the 100th year since the founding of the International
Amateur Radio Union in Paris, France.

The IARU has declared the theme of this year's celebration - "Entering
the Next Century of Amateur Radio Communications and Innovation."

Although the theme of the anniversary is forward-looking the IARU urged
hams to appreciate the gains made in previous decades too. A message on
its webpage noted that this is [quote] "a time to reflect on our
achievements." [endquote]

Member societies in each region of the IARU will be marking the
occasion in a variety of ways. Some are hosting open houses to
demonstrate amateur radio to the public; others have already been on
the air this month activating special event stations with callsigns
ending in the suffix "W A R D." In Canada, the mayor of the capital
city of Ottawa has issued the first municipal proclamation ever of
Amateur Radio Day, as the Ottawa Amateur Radio Club and West Carleton
Disaster Relief present demonstrations for the public at several
locations.

(IARU, QRZ.COM)
**

BREAK HERE: Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur
Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including
the W4HPL repeater in Cookeville, Tennessee on Tuesdays at 8:30 p.m.
local time.

**
MONTANA CLUB GIVES HAM RADIO BOOKS TO REGIONAL LIBRARIES

SKEETER/ANCHOR: Avid readers might argue that the best books are the
ones with a happy, or at least a pleasantly unexpected ending. A number
of public libraries in Montana just received a new collection of
donated books that contain no endings at all - just beginnings that
hold promise. Ralph Squillace KK6ITB picks up the story from here.

RALPH: The possibilities are endless in amateur radio and so are the
new books in the newest collection on the shelves of the Great Falls
Public Library and other public libraries in Montana. The books were
donated by the Great Falls Masonic Amateur Radio Club, which received a
grant from the ARRL to provide library patrons with study guides for
the Technician, General and Amateur Extra exams administered by theFCC.

John Ross, KD7HKF, the club's vice president, said the Great Falls
library's bookmobile will also carry a set of the books. The ARRL grant
has also funded collections of books for Montana's Cascade Library,
Fairfield Library and the library at the Malmstrom Air Force Base.
Meanwhile, the library and the club have agreed that ham radio
orientation sessions will be held at the Great Falls library if enough community members are inspired to learn even more.

The relationship between amateur radio clubs and libraries in the US is
a strong one. Previous such gifts of books have occurred at other
libraries around the US, including the Jackson Amateur Radio Club,
which donated books last year to the Madison County Library System in Mississippi and the Cowley County Amateur Radio Club, which made a
similar donation earlier this year to the Arkansas City Public Library.

This is Ralph Squillace KK6ITB.

(GREAT FALLS MASONIC RADIO CLUB, ARRL)

**
THIS BATTERY LOOKS GOOD ON PAPER BECAUSE IT'S PAPER

SKEETER/ANCHOR: Whoever said that in this electronic age we are
becoming a paperless world obviously hasn't been introduced to some of
the newest technology in batteries. Several of these highly portable
sources of energy are still experimental. They do boast of being environmentally friendly -- and all make use of paper as a key
ingredient. Kent Peterson KC0DGY tells us about them.

KENT: Researchers are developing batteries that are made partially of
paper and the results have been showing varying degrees of promise,
though none of them appear ready yet for portable ham radio. In France,
a company called BeFC is pioneering what it considers to be a
single-use, eco-friendly alternative to the small button battery that
is fully compostable when the user is done with it. More of a
paper-based bioenzymatic fuel cell than an actual battery, it releases
energy when moisture is released and comes into contact with the sugar
and enzymes that are infused into a layer of paper between the unit's
carbon electrodes. Generating only .75 (point seven five) volts, it
still has a long way to go before it can power more than perhaps a
sensor or medical device someday.

In Singapore, researchers at the startup company, Flint, claim that
they have a rechargeable battery-in-the-works that will ultimately
replace lithium batteries for use in grid storage and electric-vehicle
power. Like the French battery, it too is designed to be compostable
and it makes use of the cellulose in paper for the transfer of ions.

Ten years ago, researchers in the US, at Binghamton University in
upstate New York, developed what they called "microbial paper-based
batteries," that is, they derive their power from bacteria's
metabolism. Like its French counterpart, however, the output has been
deemed too low for practical use.

So the research continues. To scientists, for now, it all looks good
onpaper.

This is Kent Peterson KC0DGY.

(YOUTUBE, NEWATLAS.COM, BINGHAMTON.EDU)
**
WORLD OF DX

In the World of DX, Nobu,JA0JHQ, is on the air as T88PB from Koror,
IOTA number OC-009, Palau on the 11th through to the 13th of April.
Nobu is also participating in the CW portion of the Japan International
DX Contest that weekend. See QRZ.com for QSL details.

Two special callsigns are being activated to mark special occasions for
hams in Cyprus. The callsigns 5B50CARS and 5B100IARU will be on the air
to mark the 50th anniversary of the Cyprus Amateur Radio Society and
the Centenary of the International Amateur Radio Society, respectively. Activity is expected on the 15th and the 18th of April and again on the
25th and 26th of April. The hams are also celebrating the 75th
anniversary of IARU Region 1. See QRZ.com for QSL and certificate
details.

Listen for Luke, ZS6LUK, using the callsign A25LUK on the air from
Botswana until the 30th of April. Luke is operating SSB, FT8 and
JS8Call on 40, 30, 20 and 10 metres. See QRZ.com for QSL details.

Markus, DJ4EL, is on the air holiday style as IF9/DJ4EL, from the Egadi Islands, IOTA number EU-054, from the 13th through to the 23rd of
April. Markus will operate SSB on 40-10 metres from SOTA and POTA sites
on the islands of Favignana, Levanzo and Marettimo. See QRZ.com for QSL details.

(425 DX BULLETIN)

**
KICKER: HAMS' STEADY CLIMB TO SUCCESS FOR FM RADIO STATION

SKEETER/ANCHOR: Who understands the pain of not being able to get on
the air better than an amateur radio operator? So when a small
community broadcast station in Australia developed an issue that
hampered their ability to transmit, some local hams came in to help
them troubleshoot. Graham Kemp VK4BB has our final story for this week.

GRAHAM: The friendly voice of WAY-FM, along with its news and music,
had been silent for too long. The Christian-based, listener-supported
community station needed even more support - in this case, amateur
radio support - to get back on the air. The problem was twofold, both
with the 10 metre high base link antenna and at the broadcaster's
remote transmitter station. The cause wasn't completely clear though
until Hayden, VK7HH, and his friend Nicholas hiked up a rugged mountain
1100 metres above sea level in Tasmania on the 29th of March, repaired
the solar powered, FM-Band transmitter station by installing a
temporary, self-built, antenna and got the station back on the air.

Hayden told Newsline in an email that all they had to do was swap the
feed lines over to another set of antennas for the studio-transmitter
link to the remote site and install the temporary main transmitter
antenna.

The existing antennas were showing a bad SWR resulting in the
transmitter folding back the power to protect itself.

The two-hour drive up - and another 1.5-hours back - plus the 3-km hike afterward up steep slopes was well worth the effort.

Happy to have been helpful, the friends documented their adventure in
two installments on Hayden's YouTube Channel, hamradiodx. Like the
radio station they assisted, they are hoping it will provide a little
bit of inspiration.

This is Graham Kemp VK4BB.

(YOUTUBE, HAYDEN HONEYWOOD, VK7HH)

**
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 News Daily; ARRL; Binghamton,edu; David Behar
K7DB; FCCs; Great Falls Masonic Amateur Radio Club; Hayden Honeywood,
VK7HH; HamSCI; IARU; NewAtlas; QRZ.com; Radio Society of Great Britain;
Radio World; shortwaveradio.de; Tom Costello, KC3TMT; 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.

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)