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Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2479 for Friday, May 2nd, 2025 Amateur
Radio Newsline Report Number 2479 with a release date of Friday, May
2nd, 2025 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1

The following is a QST. A high-flying antenna will help study the
world's tree population. A ham will be at the helm of Colorado's newest low-power FM radio station -- and hams in Brazil will gain CB
privileges and lose Morse Code requirements. All this and more as
Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2479 comes your way right now.

**

BILLBOARD CART

**
HIGH-FLYING ANTENNA TO HELP STUDY WORLD'S FORESTS

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Our top story takes us once again to space. If you want
to have as many quality QSOs as possible, you want to deploy the best
antenna possible. That's why a 40-foot extendable antenna was launched
into space aboard a European Space Agency satellite on Tuesday, April
29th from French Guiana. Its goal is communication - with more than 1.5 trillion trees around the world. Graham Kemp VK4BB has that story.

GRAHAM: The Biomass probe that has been put into space by ESA is
looking to log trees - but it's not the kind of logging commonly
associated with forests. During the next five years, this antenna will
be using P-band radar transmissions to collect data on how much carbon
is stored in trees on a number of continents -- and thus gauge climate
change as a result of deforestation According to a report by the BBC,
this kind of satellite, with an antenna that is 12m in diameter, is he
first of its kind for such a mission. The band's relatively long
wavelength is an asset because it permits the signals to see deeply
inside forests in a manner scientists have compared to how a CT-scan
operates..

The idea was proposed by the National Centre for Earth Observation
whose director, John Remedios, told the BBC that the goal is to [quote] "interrogate these forests." [endquote]

This is Graham Kemp VK4BB.

(BBC, WASHINGTON POST, SMITHSONIAN)

**
BRAZIL'S HAMS GAIN CB PRIVILEGES, LOSE CW REQUIREMENT

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Brazil's telecommunications regulator, ANATEL, has two
big changes planned for the nation's hams. Jim Meachen ZL2BHF tells us
what's in the works.

JIM: The Brazilian regulator will no longer require Morse Code for
amateur licences under changes that have been under consideration since
2020. The regulator will update content in its exams for its three
licence classes. This is one of several changes contained in a
resolution released on April 28th by ANATEL. The resolution also grants
hams the ability to operate on Citizens Band 11-metre frequencies. They
must identify with their callsigns and are limited to 10 watts of power
in AM and 25 watts of power in SSB. They must also stay within
authorized channels.

The regulator expects to move ahead with these changes after a
six-month period in which supplementary regulations will also be
issued.

This is Jim Meachen ZL2BHF.

(ANATEL, GUILLERMO CRIMERIUS, PY2BIL)

**

AMATEUR LEADS GROUP BEHIND NEW LPFM RADIO STATION

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: The FCC has granted a low-power FM license to a group
of Colorado radio enthusiasts - some of whom are also hams. Kent
Peterson KC0DGY tells us what's in store.

KENT: If you want to hear a limited sampling of what will soon be
broadcast on Colorado's newest low-power FM radio station, you can tune
in online for now. In early April, the FCC gave a green light to the
Colorado Society of Wireless and Broadcast Engineering, a collective
that described itself to the FCC as local university students, amateur
radio operators and engineers. The group has proposed a 100-watt
station on 107.1-FM. The website that previews some of the programming
belongs to the society's founder, Vlad Fomitchev, KX4TH.

The station's December 2023 application was approved by the FCC after
rejecting claims from the license-holder of a nearby translator station
that the minimum separation distance between the translator and the
proposed low-power FM station was not met.

According to a report on the Radio World website, the low-power station
is designed to benefit its participants as well as its listeners by
providing training in audio, computer, electrical and mechanical
engineering. The group has also said that it hopes to present community programming, collaborative programming from the nearby university and
will experiment with open-source digital HD Radio.

If you want to hear a preview of what will eventually be on the air,
visit the link in the text version of this week's newscast at
arnewsline.org

This is Kent Peterson KC0DGY.

[DO NOT READ: vladfm.fomitchev.net/ ]

(RADIO WORLD, FCC)

**
FCC SAYS FLORIDA LPFM STATION EXCEEDED LEGAL LIMITS

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Meanwhile, in Florida, a low-power FM station has been
issued a notice of violation from the FCC for not being so low-power
after all. Jack Parker W8ISH has those details.

JACK: Florida low-power FM station WZPP has been charged with boosting
its licensed 100-watt signal on 96.1 FM to as high as 1,022 watts.
According to an FCC notice of violation made public in late April, the
station, known as the "Voice of the Caribbean," was operating at 811
percent of its authorized power when field agents from the enforcement
bureau measured its signal strength in May of 2024. The station has
been on the air since 2014 featuring sports, news, music and commentary
that serves the Caribbean-American community.

The noncommercial station, which is operated by the Broward Jewish
Alliance, has been told to respond to the FCC within 20 days of the
notice's release date.

This is Jack Parker W8ISH.

(FCC, INSIDE RADIO)

**
TURNING 100, BELL LABS PREPS FOR RELOCATION

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: In the US, Bell Labs, which has a long history making
of bold and notable moves in technology, is marking its 100th
anniversary by preparing for another bold move - this time, to a new headquarters. Sel Embee K B 3 T Zed D has that story.

SEL: As it turns 100, Nokia Bell Labs is turning elsewhere to continue
its important research in the field of technology and science The
company announced that within the next two years it will relocate to a
smaller but more modern facility in New Brunswick, New Jersey and out
of the labs' longtime home in Murray Hill, New Jersey.

Over the years, Bell's scientists have been credited with developing
the transistor, making advances in radio astronomy and being in the
vanguard to usher in the digital age. The company has been the
recipient of numerous Turing Awards and Nobel prizes. Its core business continues to be mobile and optical networks and network-system support.
One of its most recent innovations was the development of circuit
boards printed on glass. These are for use in beam-steering antennas to
get less signal loss in point-to-point fixed wireless. This is
considered an important development as wireless communications moves increasingly toward 6G.

This is Sel Embee KB3TZD.

(IEEE SPECTRUM)

**
SILENT KEY: CHARLES KITCHIN, N1TEV, WRITER, "GURU" OF THE RE-GEN
RECEIVER

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: A prolific and well-known author whose specialty was regenerative receivers, or "re-gens," has become a Silent Key. We hear
about him from Andy Morrison K9AWM.

ANDY: Charles Kitchin, N1TEV, was a tinkerer and builder from an early
age, when his enthusiasm for radio often split his attention between
shortwave and amateur radio. A widely published author of technical
articles and books, he earned the nickname among readers and followers
as the "guru" of Re-Gen radios.

Charles became a Silent Key on March 17th. No cause of death was listed
in his online obituary.

As with many hams, Charles combined his passion with his profession.
After being discharged from the US Air Force he worked as a radio
engineer at a classical music radio station WCRB and would also serve
as recording engineer for the live broadcasts of the Boston Sympathy
Orchestra at Tanglewood in Massachusetts and for other music ensembles.
He later became a hardware applications engineer at Analog Devices Semiconductor Division in Massachusetts.

He was perhaps most widely known as the popular and prolific
contributor to QST magazine and other publications sharing designs of
his own creation.

Charles was 77.

This is Andy Morrison K9AWM.

(QRZ. LEGACY.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 DX2AAA repeater of the Association of Active Amateurs International
in the Philippines on Saturdays at 7 p.m. local time.

**
NOMINATE OUR NEXT YOUNG HAM OF THE YEAR

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Remember that it is time to think of any promising
young amateurs you know as potential candidates for the Bill Pasternak
Memorial Young Ham of the Year Award. 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.

**

THREE BANDS OK'D FOR ITALIAN AMATEUR EXPERIMENTATION

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: The Italian regulator has given amateurs access to new
bands, Allowing for experimentation and exploration. We have those
details from Jeremy Boot G4NJH.

JEREMY: Hams in Italy have been granted permission for experimental
activity on three radio bands for the remainder of the year. The
Italian regulator ARI made the announcement on the 18th of April that
it was giving an eight-month extension to the previous period which ran
from late August 2024 until the end of this past December.

Italian amateurs may operate with a maximum of 10 watts on 40.660 MHz
to 40.700 MHz, 8 metres, the same range used for industrial, scientific
and medical purposes. This permission coincides with the peak of the
Sporadic E season.

Similar use was also granted for 70 to 70.400 MHz, 4 metres, and 1.810
to 1.830 MHz. The 8m band is expected to be the busiest of the three.

This is Jeremy Boot G4NJH.

(BBC, EI7GL BLOG)

**
BBC RECHARTING COURSE BEFORE CHARTER EXPIRATION

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: This has been a year for introspection in the world of communication: the IARU is examining whether to restructure. In the US,
the FCC is evaluating the full scope of its rules and regulations --and
in the UK, the BBC is looking at ways to rechart its course. Jeremy
Boot G4NJH tells us what that means.

JEREMY: With its charter set to expire in 2027, the BBC is using this
year and next to examine its relationship with audiences across
England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. BBC account holders have
begun receiving questionnaires to complete online to let the
broadcaster know how they see its future. Tim Davie, BBC director
general, said that the questionnaire, which takes about 10 minutes to
complete, is the first of the BBC's two-part research process, to
include later audience polling, and the results will contribute towards
the BBC's Charter Review process.

The BBC says in its written introduction to the questionnaire: [quote]
"The BBC belongs to all of us. That's why it matters that we understand
what you want the BBC to offer you and your family, and the UK
overall." [endquote]

It is planned to publish the findings from the questionnaire later
thisyear.

This is Jeremy Boot G4NJH.

(BBC)

**

WORLD OF DX

In the World of DX, the North West Group ARC, MN0NWG, is will be using
the special-event callsign GB0AEL between the 5th and the 31st of May
to commemorate the anniversary of Amelia Earhart's transatlantic flight
which she accomplished nonstop and solo in 1932. Her trip took her from Newfoundland to Londonderry in Northern Ireland. QSL via MI0HOZ.

Harald, DF2WO and Warren, KN6ZZI, are using the callsigns D44TWO and
D44ZZI, respectively, from Santiago Island, IOTA number AF-005, in Cape
Verde, from the 4th through to the 26th of May. Harald will be using
primarily CW and FT4 and Warren will be using primarily SSB and FT8.
They will also be looking to make QSOs via the QO-100 satellite. QSL to
both via M0OXO's OQRS.

Many Russian stations will be using the special prefix RP80 until the
9th of May to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World
War. See QRZ.com for details.

Special callsign DM0LIMES is on the air until the 1st of July to mark
UNESCO World Heritage Day. That occasion is observed on June 1st. The
callsign DM3LIMES will join this station on the air and operate from
the 31st of May through to the 1st of June. The callsign was chosen in recognition of the limes, which bordered the Roman Empire at its
greatest point. See QRZ.com for QSL details.

To mark the Centenary of the IARU, Spanish amateurs are on the air
using callsigns that replace their customary prefix with a special
prefix until the 15th of May. EA stations can use AO-numeral-100
followed by their suffix, EB stations can use AN-numeral-100 followed
by their suffix, and EC stations can use AM-numeral-100 followed by
their suffix. The numeral preceding the "one hundred" signifies their
call area.

(425 DX BULLETIN)

**
KICKER: THIS ANTENNA'S ELEMENTS HAVE AN ELEMENT OF HISTORY

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: How much would you be willing to pay for an antenna?
Actually, how much would you be willing to pay for PART of an antenna?
In our final story this week, we welcome the newest Newsline family
member, Jen de Salvo, W9TXJ, who explores that very question.

JEN: There are just 14 remaining elements from the original 32-element
Alford Antenna that once worked its magic atop New York City's Empire
State building. When the antenna was decommissioned in 2019, some of
the elements were offered - free for the taking - to interested
parties. Now, however, the remaining elements are being put back to
work for a cause. The Society of Broadcast Engineer's NYC chapter is
auctioning them off to raise money for the general scholarship fund of
the society's Ennes Educational Foundation Trust.

This is not your average vertical antenna. It is, in a way, the King
Kong of antennas even though the Alford didn't yet exist when the
famous giant gorilla romanced the terrified actress Fay Wray in the
classic 1933 film. This became the first master antenna system in the
US when it was installed in 1965. At one time, as many as 16 FM
stations used it, earning it the distinction of being the world's
largest combined FM station system. The antenna was relegated to
auxiliary status in 1990 and by 2017, it was no longer needed.

Bidding, which ended on April 30th, started at $300 per element. It
remains to be seen whether, like King Kong, those bids ascended to
impressive heights. Winners will be asked to take delivery in New
Jersey - at ground-floor level.

This is Jen de Salvo, W9TXJ.

(RADIO WORLD)

**
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; ANATEL, APRS Foundation; ARRL; BBC;
David Behar K7DB; EI7GL Blog; FCC; Guillermo Crimerius, PY2BIL; Inside
Radio; JARL; Legacy.com; QRZ.com; Radio Society of Great Britain; Radio
World; shortwaveradio.de; Wireless Institute of Australia; 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 2025. All rights reserved..

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