From Newsgroup: rec.radio.amateur.misc

Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2504 for Friday, October 24th, 2025
Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2504 with a release date of
Friday, October 24th, 2025 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.

The following is a QST. HamTV makes its first ARISS contact in 7 years.
Two prominent Silent Keys hit the ham radio community hard -- and we
catch up with a DXpedition where almost everything seemed to go wrong.
All this and more as Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2504 comes
your way right now.

**
BILLBOARD CART
**
HAMTV MAKES 1ST ARISS CONTACT IN 7 YEARS

NEIL/ANCHOR: The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station
program has reason to celebrate. With the help and hard work of
technicians, engineers and other team members, ARISS marked the first
contact in seven years that made use of HamTV - a QSO between the 1st
Radford Semele Scout Group in the UK and NASA astronaut Jonny Kim
KJ5HKP on the 18th of October. The digital amateur TV transmitter based
in the Columbus module permits the audience to view live video
downlinks during their contacts with the astronauts.

As he called up to the space station to say the team and the European
HamTV ground stations were ready, Ciaran Morgan, M0XTD, ARISS
operations lead for the UK, dedicated the call to Gaston Bertels,
ON4WF. Gaston was at the helm of the HamTV technical team until he
became a Silent Key in December 2024. He had been a key player in
getting the L/S band antennas installed on the Columbus module. HamTV
operated until 2018, when its failure brought it back to earth so
repairs could be made. The unit was returned to the ISS in 2024. This
past July, it resumed its transmissions and members of the British
Amateur TV Club, who were standing by for those first signals, happily
reported good copy.

To see the HamTV contact between the ISS and the Scouts visit the
YouTube channel of SP5LOT at the link in the text version of this
week's newscast.

[DO NOT READ: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7c-rFdr07bg ]

(ARISS PAGE ON FACEBOOK)

**
SILENT KEY: NOTED DXER, COMMUNICATIONS SCHOLAR CHARLES HARPOLE
K4VUD/HS0ZCW

NEIL/ANCHOR: Amateur radio operators around the world are grieving the
loss of a scholar, a DXpeditioner and a friend to many. Graham Kemp
VK4BB tells us about him.

GRAHAM: Hams and non-hams around the world alike got to know Charlie
Harpole after the earthquake and tsunami that ravaged Thailand and
other regions in Southeast Asia in December 2004. Charlie, whose
numerous callsigns included K4VUD, HS0ZCW and VU3CHE, became a line of communication for major broadcast networks and print media as the
tragedy and rescue efforts unfolded.

Charlie was already well-known as a film and communications scholar and professor in the United States. An active DXpeditioner and ham radio
advocate, he was reported by the Daily DX as having become a Silent
Key. His contributions over the years included testing out the new 5
MHZ amateur band, followed by a successful completion of the first
two-way transatlantic contact on that band via ham radio on July
4th,2003.

An article in the student newspaper of the University of Central
Florida, where Charlie had been a professor, recognised the vital role
he played during the 1996 Liberian Civil War, contacting a missionary
confined in a compound there amid the fighting and relaying information
he was requested to pass along by the UN and the US State Department.

The world heard more from Charlie in December 2004. He had been filming
and providing support to the VU4 DXpedition on Andaman Island when the
tsunami disaster swept over South Asia. As DXpeditioners switched to
handling health, welfare and emergency communications messages, Charlie returned to Thailand, where he and his wife were living, to provide
radio support for recovery efforts after the loss of conventional communication. He also provided realtime information to many of the
world's media organisations, including MSNBC and CNN.

Charlie was 80.

This is Graham Kemp VK4BB.

(CENTRAL FLORIDA FUTURE, DAILY DX, BHARATHI VU2RBI, NATIONAL INSTITUTE
OF AMATEUR RADIO, SAN ANGELO AMATEUR RADIO CLUB ARCHIVES)

**
SILENT KEY: AMATEUR RADIO HISTORIAN JOHN DILKS III, K2TQN

NEIL/ANCHOR: A ham who devoted his life to the celebration of amateur
radio's history and evolution has become a Silent Key. We hear more
about him from Sel Embee KB3TZD.

SEL: John Dilks III K2TQN so loved the old rigs, the crystal sets, the
spark transmitters and the keys that he assembled a collection of them
-- ham radio artifacts from amateur radio's earliest days -- and called
it the John Dilks Old Radio Museum. History was so much his passion and expertise that at one point he was asked to consult and provide radios
for the 2013 film, "Paranoia," featuring Harrison Ford, when it was
shooting outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

John, who was first licensed in 1956 as KN2TQN, became a Silent Key on
the 12th of October.

Readers of QST magazine remember his monthly column, "Old Radio," which
ran in the ARRL publication from 2000 to 2014. Members of the Antique
Wireless Association recall him too as a respected member. According to
his online obituary, his love of history extended beyond the evolution
of amateur radio. He often gave presentations that touched on great
moments in history, including radio's role in the 1923 expedition to
the North Pole -- and its role as well aboard the ill-fated Titanic
luxury liner. In his volunteer work with the World Peace Camp in 1989,
he devoted time to helping children earn their amateur radio licenses.

John was 84.

This is Sel Embee KB3TZD.

(SOUTH JERSEY DX ASSOCIATION, ADAMS-PERFECT FUNERAL HOME, QUARTER
CENTURY WIRELESS ASSOCIATION)

**
CANADA ELIMINATES EXPIRATION DATES FOR BROADCAST RADIO LICENSES

NEIL/ANCHOR: Broadcast radio station licenses in Canada will no longer
have an expiration date, as we hear from John Williams VK4JJW.

JOHN: The Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission
will no longer require broadcast radio stations to renew their
licences, as part of a rule it said it has adopted to help stations
save money and shrink administrative burdens. The commission said it
was hoping the action would amount to a boost for terrestrial
broadcasting which, while facing challenges recently, nonetheless
remains a vital source of news, information and culture.

A report on the RadioWorld website said that the open-ended licences
will replace those that presently have a maximum term of 7 years. The commission will phase in the new licensing framework as the stations
apply for their renewals.

In a statement, the CRTC assured broadcasters that station monitoring
would still be vigilant despite the switch to the open-ended licences. Compliance reviews, which traditionally have occurred at the time of
licence renewal, will instead be conducted as needed.

This is John Williams VK4JJW.

(RADIOWORLD)

**
'PUMPKIN PATROL' IN ITS 4TH DECADE TO ENSURE DRIVER SAFETY

NEIL/ANCHOR: The Halloween tradition known as the Pumpkin Patrol may
not be as much fun as trick-or-treating, but in a number of northern
New York State counties it has become a lifesaver. Travis Lisk N3ILS
tells us why.

TRAVIS: Halloween can be a time for mischief and that mischief can turn
deadly, as it almost did in 1976 when an object thrown from a bridge
over the New York State Thruway smashed the windshield of a truck
below. The shattered glass injured the driver, who was talking on his
citizens band radio at the time. The other CB radio operator heard that
the trucker was in distress and decided immediately that she and two
friends would bring their radios to that overpass and two others in
their county and stand watch the next evening.

New York State police now conduct the Pumpkin Patrol in various
counties traversed by the Thruway and for more than four decades, ham
radio operators have been there too. This year the teams of volunteer
radio operators will be out on the nights of October 30th and 31st,
keeping in constant touch with a net control station that can call for emergency response if necessary.

They are, of course, hoping it will not be necessary.

This is Travis Lisk N3ILS.

(UPSTATEHAM.COM, FINGERLAKES1.COM)

**
ARDC PREPARES FOR NEW ROUND OF GRANT APPLICANTS

NEIL/ANCHOR: Amateur Radio Digital Communications has a mission to
support the tinkerers, the dreamers and the builders who keep ham radio
strong. They recently issued a reminder that they are actively looking
for applicants. Kevin Trotman N5PRE tells us how your own workbench
might be of interest to them. KEVIN: Grants are available from Amateur
Radio Digital Communications, which is giving top priority to projects
in one of several areas: supporting satellite technology for ham
analogue and digital communications; developing hands-on, open-source
and educational materials and projects for learners in schools and
clubs; and delving into open-source hardware and software systems that
include SDRs, new modulation techniques and CODEC technologies.

ARDC said that projects outside these areas would also be welcome to
apply but that these areas are closest to the core of the
organization's goal of [quote] "promoting the freedom to tinker, build, communicate, and openly share information." [endquote]

Details can be found at the link in the text version of this week's
newscast at arnewsline.org

[DO NOT READ: https://www.ardc.net/apply/priority-areas-for-funding/
]

This is Kevin Trotman N5PRE.

(ARDC)

**

BREAK HERE: Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur
Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including
the Midstate Amateur Radio Club WA9RDF repeater in Greenwood Indiana on
Sundays at 7 p.m. local time.


**
YOUNG AMATEURS LEARN NEW MODES FOR EMCOMM

NEIL/ANCHOR: In various parts of the world, emergency communicators
continue to promote the use of the amateur service as well as other
modes and methods to the next generation. Jim Meachen ZL2BHF tells us
how hams in India are continuing to make that transition.

JIM: In India, ham radio operators are focusing more on DMR - Digital
Mobile Radio - as an alternative to analogue VHF, UHF and HF. Fifty
young hams were recently given training in DMR programming and
operating by the Indian Academy of Communication and Disaster
Management and the West Bengal Radio Club, led by Jayanta VU2TFR and
Soumya VU3FWK.

According to the club secretary, Ambarish Nag Biswas VU2JFA, this was
the first hands-on training in DMR for radio operators who will be
using DMR in the vast remote delta region known as the Sunderbans.
Dipak Chakraborty, VU2TLW, the academy's vice principal, told the group afterward that DMR's potential in such remote areas has prompted the
academy to plan yet another workshop focusing specifically on those
challenged regions.

Meanwhile, in the Philippines, members of the Ham Radio Emergency Communications Group Inc., DX1HAM, devoted part of the 68th annual
Jamboree on the Air scouting activities on October 18th to teach Boy
Scouts of the Philippines the basics of operating two-way radios. The
hams were preparing the next generation to be familiar with the kind of
radios used by licensed emergency communicators when severe storms
imperil public safety in their western Pacific island archipelago.

This is Jim Meachen ZL2BHF.

(AMBARISH NAG BISWAS, VU2JFA, THE PHILIPPINE STAR)

**
SCOTTISH MICROWAVE ENTHUSIASTS PREPARE FOR ROUNDTABLE

NEIL/ANCHOR: In Scotland, hams who operate on the microwave frequencies
are registering now for a day-long program in November where they can
share ideas. Jeremy Boot G4NJH tells us what's happening.

JEREMY: Microwave fans, whether they're newcomers or longtime
enthusiasts, are preparing to attend the 13th Scottish Microwave Round
Table on the 1st of November at the Museum of Communication in
Burntisland, Fife.

The roundtable will have available microwave test facilities available
and attendees will be able to purchase components and other items. The
GM4LBV Trophy will be presented as part of an annual construction
competition held in memory of Scottish microwave enthusiast John Eaton.
It bears the callsign of John, who became a Silent Key in 2012.

For details about the event or registration information, see the link
in the text version of this week's newscast at arnewsline.org

This is Jeremy Boot G4NJH.

[DO NOT READ: https://gmroundtable.org.uk/ ]

(SCOTTISH MICROWAVE ROUND TABLE)

**

WORLD OF DX

In the World of DX, listen for the callsign Z66IPA which is on the air
through to the 3rd of November from Kosovo. It is being activated by
S58MU and S50X on 160-10 metres. The pair will participate in the CQWW
SSB contest on the 25th and 26th of October as Z68MU and Z68WW. QSL to
all calls via S58MU.

Listen for operators from Argentina's Yaguarete DX Group using the
callsign CP7DX from Bolivia from the 31st of October to the 10th of
November. They will operate SSB and FT8 on 160-6 metres, as well as via
EME.

Kazu, M0CFW will be on the air as 3B9/M0CFW from Rodrigues Island,
IOTA number AF-017, from the 21st through to the 29th of October. He
will participate in the CQ WW DX SSB Contest using the callsign 3B9KW.

Gil, FM5FJ, will be using the callsign J79FJ from Dominica, IOTA Number
NA-101, from the 20th through to the 29th of October, using CW, SSB and
perhaps some FT8. He will also participate in the CQ WW DX SSB Contest
with the J75A team.

Listen for members of the Tango Alfa Ham Radio Club, YM1KE, using the
callsign TC29TC through to the 29th of October. They are celebrating
Republic Day in Turkey, which is on the 29th. QSL via eQSL.

For QSL details of all stations please refer to qrz.com.

(425 DX BULLETIN)

**
KICKER: ON DXPEDITION, A PILEUP OF THINGS GOING WRONG

NEIL/ANCHOR: Our last story this week is for all the dreamers and the
do-ers whose plans don't always work out. Ralph Squillace KK6ITB takes
us to the South Pacific for that story.

RALPH: Operating from the Manihiki Atoll in the North Cook Islands had
been the shared dream of five hams from the Western Washington DX Club.
They weren't just activating the 68th most wanted DXCC entity; they
were dreaming of pileups.

The pileups they got were the unwanted pileups of malfunctions which
began not long after they put the callsign E51MWA on the air on the 9th
of October. Twelve hours in, their solar plant experienced a voltage
loss and they were unable to start their backup generator. The team
went QRT for several hours. Back on the air during the next few days,
they suffered the failure of a power strip, they lost the use of one
radio and then the high-power bandpass filters for 17 and 12 metres
failed to work.

The final blow to their dream came on the 14th of October with a local
power outage. The team got their backup generator started but then the generator and the power station's building both caught fire and were
destroyed.

It was time to go home to Washington state for Rob N7QT, Brian N9ADG,
James KC7EFP, Robin WA7CPA and Jack N7JP. The sixth operator, Violetta
KN2P, a 21-year-old contester, was also scheduled to move on. She was
headed to the PJ2T youth-led operation in Curacao for the CQWW SSB
contest.

The team's plan had been to be on the air at Manihiki until October
20th. Instead they posted a message on their website on the 14th.
[quote] "Without power options the team has no choice but to go QRT." [endquote] Six days ahead of schedule, it was over. As they packed,
they added one more thing to their cargo: big plans that they alluded
to in a message on their website. They wrote [quote] "As the team packs equipment for return shipment to the US, we are already thinking of the
next DXpedition." [endquote]

This is Ralph Squillace KK6ITB.

(E51MWA WEBSITE)

**
If you haven't sent in your ham radio haiku yet, what's been stopping
you? Visit our website at arnewsline.org and as you compose your ode to
your favorite online activity, we will help you use the correct number
of syllables to make an authentic haiku. Submit your work and then sit
back and wait to hear whether you are the winner of this week's
challenge. The winner gets a shout-out on our website, where everyone
can find the winning haiku.

NEWSCAST CLOSE

With thanks to Adams-Perfect Funeral Home; Amateur News Daily; Amateur
Radio Digital Communicatons; Ambarish Nag Biswas VU2JFA; AMSAT News
Service; Bharathi VU2RBI; Central Florida Future; David Behar K7DB; the
Daily DX; 425DX Bulletin; E51MWA website; Facebook; FCC; National
Institute of Amateur Radio; The Philippine Star; QRZ.com; Quarter
Century Wireless Association; Radio World; San Angelo Amateur Radio
Club archives; Scottish Microwave Round Table; shortwaveradio.de; South
Jersey DX Association; 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
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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 2025. Amateur Radio Newsline retains ownership of its
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