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Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2443 for Friday August 23rd, 2024 Amateur
Radio Newsline Report Number 2443 with a release date of Friday, August
23rd, 2024 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.

The following is a QST. A Chinese rocket spews fragments of debris into
space. A new repeater fills an emcoms gap in Canada -- and Newsline
celebrates this year's Young Ham of the Year in Huntsville. All this
and more as Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2443 comes your way
right now.

**
BILLBOARD CART

**
MALFUNCTION ON ROCKET'S UPPER STAGE SCATTERS SPACE DEBRIS

NEIL/ANCHOR: We begin this week's report with a rocket launch that has
created a mess in space. The recent launch of China's Long March 6A
rocket, which sent 18 broadband Internet satellites into polar orbit,
has added to the proliferation of space debris. A malfunction of the
rocket's upper stage sent more than 700 fragments into a high orbit of
800 kilometres. According to a report by the AMSAT News Service, their
orbital decay will take at least 25 years.

The satellites themselves are part of the new constellation by Shanghai Spacecom Satellite Technology. Known as "Thousand Sails," the
constellation is expected to expand to include as many as 14,000
satellites. It is considered a direct competitor to Starlink, Project
Kuiper and OneWeb.

(AMSAT NEWS)

**
INTERNATIONAL YLS RENEW FRIENDSHIPS AFTER 5 YEARS

NEIL/ANCHOR: Friendships are high on the list of things many of us
value in amateur radio, and a recent get-together in Europe for one
group of YLs marked a chance to renew that sisterhood - and to get on
the air, of course. Jeremy Boot G4NJH has that story.

JEREMY: Five summers after they first successfully celebrated their
friendship and shared love of amateur radio, an international group of
22 YLs returned to the contest station in Moravia, in the Czech
Republic, where it had all begun.

Eva, HB9FPM, believed it was time for an even bigger event at the top
class contest station OK5Z, where YLs from 11 nations gathered between
the 4th and the 10th of August.

Using the callsign OL88YL, they chased DX from the massive antenna
farm, taking time off to learn to build dipoles of their own under the
guidance of Markus HB9HVG and Andreas, HB9JOE. The 20- and 15-metre
antennas were then tested the next two days days at three SOTA summits
that were also part of the Worldwide Fauna and Flora Awards scheme.

There were moments of celebration too, when Hans PB2T of the Yasme
Foundation presented their Yasme Excellence Award to Raisa, R1BIG, for
her promotion of amateur radio on her YouTube channel.

When not on the air, the YLs toured places rich with the region's
cultural history. For those traveling from Poland, Japan, Luxembourg,
Turkey, the UK, the Russian Federation and elsewhere, the long
five-year wait to be together again ended happily.


This is Jeremy Boot G4NJH.


NEIL/ANCHOR: For a short look at how the YLs spent their time, follow
the link in the text version of this week's newscast at arnewsline.org

[DO NOT READ: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/qzwii079dYc ]


(EVA, HB9FPM; RAISA, R1BIG)

**
TWO AMSAT ORGANIZATION EVENTS SET FOR OCTOBER

NEIL/ANCHOR: Two AMSAT organizations are planning major gatherings in
October, spaced just two weeks apart. Kevin Trotman N5PRE tells us
about them both.

KEVIN: Satellite enthusiasts have a busy two weekends in October,
starting with the AMSAT-UK Space Colloquium and Annual General Meeting
being held on the 12th and 13th of October at the same time the Radio
Society of Great Britain holds its convention. Organizers have said
they will release details about the topics being covered closer to
theevent.

Meanwhile, registration has opened for the 42nd Annual AMSAT Space
Symposium and Annual General Meeting which is taking place in Tampa,
Florida on the 25th and 26th of October. The weekend will also include
an AMSAT Ambassador breakfast on the morning of October 27th.

Organizers are looking for presenters on a variety of topics for the
symposium and are asking anyone interested to immediately submit a
working title for their talk. Final copies of the presentations are due
no later than the 18th of October so they can be included in the
proceedings. Send all submissions to Dan Schultz, N8FGV at n8fgv at usa
dot net (n8fgv@usa.net). The symposium will be held on Saturday the
26th, the same day as the Annual General Meeting.

This is Kevin Trotman N5PRE.

(AMSAT NEWS SERVICE)

**
VOA TO SHUT MARIANA ISLANDS SHORTWAVE OPERATION

NEIL/ANCHOR: The Voice of America has announced plans to cease
operations in the Northern Mariana Islands. We have more on that story
from Ralph Squillace KK6ITB.

RALPH: Citing a shrinking listener audience, high costs of operation
and lingering damages inflicted by a Category 5 super typhoon in
October of 2018, the Voice of America has decided to discontinue
transmissions from its shortwave station in the Northern Mariana
Islands. The Saipan and Tinian sites being silenced are part of the
Robert E. Kamosa Transmitting Station.

The United States Agency for Global Media has made use of the station
for multi-language programs from Voice of America and Radio Free Asia.

William Martin, director of the US Agency for Global Media's
transmitting stations and operations division, said in a public
statement: [quote] "After decades of operation, these facilities are
being phased out as shortwave audiences migrate to other media.
Although these closures mark the end of an era, they are also
bittersweet, as in closing these stations we also say farewell to the
people and communities that supported our mission for so many years." [endquote] Martin himself had been the station manager from 2013
to2019.

The Saipan site started broadcasting in 1982; Tinian, in 1999.

This is Ralph Squillace KK6ITB.

(RADIO WORLD)

**
SILENT KEY: N1MM LOGGER TEAM'S LAURENCE WILLIAM GAUTHIER Jr., K8UT

NEIL/ANCHOR: A longtime member of the development team for the N1MM
logger has become a Silent Key. We hear about him from Dave Parks
WB8ODF.

DAVE: Laurence William Gauthier, Jr., K8UT, was a DXer. a software
expert both professionally and in ham radio, and an involved,
community-minded Michigan resident. An accomplished and award-winning
DXer, he was also deeply committed, outside of radio, to such
activities as Scouting and assisting community nonprofits with their
websites.

Larry became a Silent Key on the 13th of August.

First licensed as a ham since 1968 with the callsign WB8BGO, Larry
strove to harness the software expertise of his professional career to
assist his fellow ham radio operators. He became a part of the team
that developed the popular N1MM logger most recently offered his
support by helping to keep the documentation up-to-date and maintaining
the website. He belonged to the South East Michigan DX Association and
the South Lyon Amateur Radio Club.

Larry was 73.

This is Dave Parks WB8ODF.

(THE DETROIT NEWS, N1MM WEBSITE)

**
SILENT KEY: NOTED DXER RON FALCONER, ZL4RMF

NEIL/ANCHOR: Amateurs in New Zealand and DXers around the globe are
mourning the loss of a noted DXer and friend. We hear about him from
Jim Meachen ZL2BHF.

JIM: Like most other accomplished DXers, Ron Falconer, ZL4RMF, was
well-known for a signal that circled the globe. He was also known for
an equally strong devotion to the contacts he made. Friends say Ron was
never one to chase awards; what he valued were the many QSOs and the
bonds that grew out of them.

Ron, who had ongoing health issues with pulmonary fibrosis attributed
to a lifetime of farming, became a Silent Key on the 3rd of August,
according to his nephew, Murray Falconer.

His friend and fellow team member for the NZART Jock White Field Day,
John Graham, ZL4RO, recalled Ron as [quote] "a DXer, contester, net
master and rag chewing expert." [endquote] Friends recalled that Ron
became known for his carefully set up shack in the pursuit of the joy
of DX. John wrote: [quote] "His callsign often appeared on the QRZ DX
list. No mean feat to achieve. Many hams visiting New Zealand made a
point of coming to visit Ron at his QTH. They were made very welcome,
and a shack tour was mandatory." [endquote] Allan Hayes, ZL4MD, said
that Ron had more than 10,000 confirmed contacts across 161 countries.
His friends worldwide were the awards he earned - and he always took
time to nurture a love for radio in younger operators. Martin Balch,
ZL4JH, secretary of NZART's Otago Branch, said Ron might even take a
visit to the UHF/VHF bands if communication help was needed locally,
such as at a car rally.

His nephew Murray said that in the end, Ron was cared for at home by
his nieces and nephews as his health worsened. Murray said that this
enabled him to [quote] "continue his radio passion right up to and
including the day he passed." [endquote] Ron died just short of his
72nd birthday.

This is Jim Meachen ZL2BHF.

(MURRAY FALCONER)


**

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.

**

CELEBRATING OUR YOUNG HAM OF THE YEAR IN HUNTSVILLE

NEIL/ANCHOR: Newsline met up with Grace Papay, K8LG, in Huntsville
recently. Listen as Don Wilbanks, AE5DW, tells us how we celebrated
this year's Young Ham of the Year.

DON: On Saturday, August 17th it was my honor to present the 2024 Bill Pasternak WA6ITF Amateur Radio Newsline Young Ham of the Year award to
18 year old Grace Papay, K8LG at the Huntsville Hamfest.

GRACE: "Thank you so much, thank you everybody. I really want to give a
shout out to the West Chester Amateur Radio Association who nominated
me for this award. I didn't realize they had nominated me. I'm really
proud of that club as well as many others, the Holland Amateur Radio
Club. They support me and everything. I'll be attending Cedarville
University studying electrical engineering, and amateur radio really
has impacted my choice and career."

DON: Grace exemplifies the spirit of the award, recognizing youth who
are using amateur radio to further the state of the hobby and make the
world a better place. Newsline's founder, Bill Pasternak, would be very
proud of Grace, as we all are. Many thanks go out to our corporate
underwriters who make it possible for us to continue Bill's vision.
Yaesu USA, Heil Ham Radio and RadioWavz antennas. Also, our thanks to
the Huntsville Hamfest committee and volunteers for giving the award a
home since 1993.

If you know of a young radio amateur who you feel is deserving, we
encourage you to nominate them for the 2025 award. The nominations will
open up on March 1st. of next year, and we hope to see you at the
presentation next year on August 16th. in Huntsville, Alabama.

Congratulations Grace, and welcome to the Newsline Young Ham of the
Year family. We couldn't be more proud!

I'm Don Wilbanks, AE5DW.

**
LIGHTHOUSE ACTIVATIONS LIGHT UP THE AIRWAVES NEIL/ANCHOR: With
International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend concluded for 2024,
organizer Kevin Mulcahy VK2CE reports that operators are already making
plans for next year and have registered 30 lighthouses so far. He said
that entries from the US, Germany, Aruba, Trinidad and Tobago were on
this year's list, as were four entries from Israel near the west bank
of the Gaza strip. Kevin said that he was pleased to have had 400
entries this year given the conflicts and unrest around the world. He
told Newsline [quote]: "Another big plus for ham radio and
lighthouses." [endquote]

**
HAM CLUB'S NEW REPEATER STATION TO SERVE EMCOMM

NEIL/ANCHOR: An amateur radio club has helped fill a gap in an
emergency communications network in British Columbia with a much-needed repeater. We have that story from Andy Morrison K9AWM.

ANDY: A missing piece in emergency communication for the valley and
back country surrounding Canada's Wells Gray Provincial Park has
finally been put into place. A new repeater station is up and running
after hours of work by members of the Wells Gray Amateur Radio Club in Clearwater. It has become a vital part of a network that already serves
such communities as Upper Clearwater, Mahood Lake and Clearwater Lake
in the event of rescues, missing-persons reports or natural disasters.
The park itself is in a wild natural area in the Thompson Nicola Region
of interior British Columbia.

The hams provide communication support to first responders such as
those in the Upper Clearwater Volunteer Fire Brigade. The communication
network also serves the Blackpool Fire Rescue and other fire
departments around the valley.

The club treasurer, Cliff Olson, VE7EIN, told the Clearwater Times
website that having a more robust system allows for better network
planning.

This is Andy Morrison K9AWM.

(CLEARWATER TIMES)

**
NEW ZEALAND MAKES DEBUT IN HEMA AWARDS SCHEME

NEIL/ANCHOR: Competitors in the awards scheme known as HEMA [Hee-MUH]
are getting ready for a big weekend event at the end of this month.
Jeremy Boot G4NJH tells us what's involved.

JEREMY: Adventure Radio enthusiasts have been waiting for the 31st of
August and the 1st of September - the weekend that marks the official
launch of the HEMA awards programme in New Zealand.

Hams there are making a special effort on this debut weekend to fill
their logs and are hoping for some trans-Tasman H2H contacts with
Australian radio amateurs.

Operators around the world wanting to earn HEMA awards should go to the
HEMA website at hema dot org dot uk (hema.org.uk). The website contains
a full explanation of HEMA and how it works. New Zealand hams will be
able also to upload their logs to ontheair dot nz - that's "on the air"
- one word - dot nz. (ontheair.nz) so they can compare their progress
towards awards against other ZL hams.

This is Jeremy Boot G4NJH.

(MATT, ZL4NVW; HEMA.ORG.UK)

**
WORLD OF DX

In the World of DX, the special callsign 4A2MAX is on the air through
the 31st of August in CW, SSB and the digital modes on various bands.
The activation is in remembrance of St. Maximilian Maria Kolbe, SP3RN,
the Franciscan friar killed at Auschwitz by the Nazis on the 14th of
August in 1941 after he volunteered to take the place of a condemned
Polish army sergeant. Father Kolbe was a shortwave operator and is
considered the patron saint of amateur radio. For QSL details, visit
QRZ.com

Listen for Uli, DO4UB [Dee Oh Four You Bee] who is on the air from
Arusha, Tanzania using the callsign 5H2MUA on 15 and 10 metres SSB. QSL
via DO2HQS [Dee Oh Two H Q Ess].

You can find Adam, M6NXW, on the air as 9G5AS from Breman, Ghana from
the 26th of August through to the 5th of September. Adam will be
operating QRP on 20-10 metres using SSB, FT8 and FT4. See QRZ.com for
QSL details.

Alex, SQ9UM, is operating holiday style as D4UM from Sal Island, IOTA
Number AF-086, Cape Verde until the 26th of August. Alex, using CW,
SSB, FT8 and FT4, can be found on 80-6 metres. QSL via his home call.

(425 DX BULLETIN)

KICKER: HE'S BRINGING 'HOME BREW' BACK HOME

NEIL/ANCHOR: Our final story is about a broadcast engineer with a
lifelong love of both the professional and amateur side of things. He
recently retired - and was honored for his lifetime of good work. We
hear more about him from Kent Peterson KC0DGY.

KENT: Carl Sampieri, N4NRE, is credited with having built most of the
broadcast stations in the Tennessee Valley.

It was all part of a lifelong vocation from which he recently retired:
The Alabama radio amateur has a long and distinguished career as a
broadcast engineer. This month it earned him the distinction of being
Engineer of the Year, an honor conferred by the Alabama Broadcasters Association.

Carl's lifelong commitment to radio began when he was 18 and got his
First Class Radiotelephone License. Then, entering the US Air Force, he
became an airborne radio repairman.

Commercial radio set the stage for the rest of his life starting in
1967, at stations WRSA and WSLV. As a military veteran, he moved back
to Huntsville, Alabama to a TV engineering job. He later worked as
chief engineer for a public radio station for almost two decades. When
he retired recently, Carl had been serving as longtime engineer at the
cluster of iHeart Radio stations in Huntsville - for more than a
quarter century.

According to his biography on the Alabama Broadcasters Association
website, Carl is now concentrating on doing some renovations to his
century-old house and getting some work done on the pair of amateur
radio towers behind the house. At long last he has the time to put the
"home" back into home brew.

This is Kent Peterson KC0DGY.

(RADIO WORLD, ALABAMA BROADCASTERS ASSOCIATION, WIA)

**
JUST SAY 'HI' TO HAIKU

If a good day of radio is like poetry to you, pick up a pencil and join
the Amateur Radio Newsline haiku challenge. 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 the Alabama Broadcasters Association;
Ambarish Nag Biswas, VU2JFA; AMSAT News Service; Amateur Radio Daily;
the ARRL; Clearwater Times; CQ Magazine; David Behar K7DB; Deccan
Herald; 425DXNews; HEMA.org.uk; Matt, ZL4NVW; Murray Falconer; NASA;
QRZ.com; Radio World; shortwaveradio.de; Times of India; the 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 Neil Rapp WB9VPG in Union, Kentucky saying 73. As always
we thank you for listening. Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) is Copyright
2024. All rights reserved.

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