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Default Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2120 for Friday, June 15, 2018

Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2120 for Friday, June 15, 2018

Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2120 with a release date of
Friday, June 15, 2018, to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.

The following is a QST. Australian amateurs catch Field Day fever; YLs
prep for their big convention this summer - and a radio amateur gets a
government post in Spain. All this and more as Amateur Radio Newsline
Report 2120 comes your way right now.

**

BILLBOARD CART

**
AUSTRALIA HAS FIELD DAY FEVER

JIM/ANCHOR: We open this week's newscast with the question: do you have
Field Day fever yet? If you're hearing this report in Australia, a fair
distance from the ARRL event of the same name, the answer is probably
yes. Graham Kemp VK4BB explains.

GRAHAM: Don't look now but we're barely a week away from Field Day -no,
not the summer contest going on in that other hemisphere. Here in
Australia it's a winter event known as VHF-UHF Field Day and hams are
gearing up for it on the 23rd and 24th of June. The competition
promotes amateur operation on VHF and microwave bands as well as
portable operation - or, as the Wireless Institute of Australia puts it
- "head for the hills." Hams can even move from location to location
throughout the contest.

The 24-hour operation does not exclude home stations, either - they
simply have their own section for competition. Field Day does preclude
operation making use of satellites or repeaters: Work it simplex or not
at all.

Although the first VHF-UHF Field Day was a test undertaken in January
of 1989, Winter VHF-UHF Field Day came along much later. This year it
marks its tenth year.

For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Graham Kemp VK4BB.

**
YOUNG LADIES' RADIO LEAGUE PREPS FOR CONVENTION

JIM/ANCHOR: With all our recent reports of Dayton Hamvention and
Friedrichshafen behind us, we take a look now at big plans being made
by an amateur radio group in which YLs help YLs. To tell us more,
here's Paul Braun WD9GCO.

PAUL: Hamfest and convention season is upon us once again. I think it's
safe to say that most hams enjoy a good gathering of the tribe so they
can catch up with old friends, meet new ones, enjoy some food and prowl
through the swap meet looking for that one special piece of stuff that
they can't live without.

Most ham radio gatherings, however, tend to be, well, guy-heavy. There
is one, however, that is specifically for women hams to learn from and
to help other women hams and that is August 2018 meeting of the YLRL. I
spoke with Michelle Carey, W5MQC about the organization:

CAREY: The YLRL is the Young Ladies' Radio League. The club has
actually been around since 1939. It started with an ad in QST Magazine
where one YL was looking for "where are all the other YL's?" The
response to that ad was twelve ladies and that's what they're calling
the "Founding Mothers."

PAUL: Carey said that the group holds a convention every three to four
years at various locations around the country. According to Carey, the
last one was in Washington state, and before that Ohio and Alabama and
this year it's going to be in Oklahoma.

CAREY: The convention is going to take place at the Sheraton Hotel in
downtown Oklahoma City. At the convention we're going to have some
really incredible speakers. We're going to have Ria, N2RJ - she's going
to talk to us all about digital modes, Andrea Slack, K2EZ is going to
get us all rovering - you know, she's one of the top rovers. Our
banquet keynote speaker is Nancy Hall, KC4IYD, a research scientist
with NASA and she's the district representative for District 8 of
theYLRL.

Carol Milazzo, KP4MD, she's going to get us all ready to go on a remote
vacation with her DXPedition. We're also going to have some Elmira-ing
sessions where we can all get together and help each other so whether
it's Echolink, setting up your first HF rig, logging your contacts,
DMR, FT8, how do you program your radio, we're going to have some
testing sessions and we're all going to have a little fun.

PAUL: Carey said that men can attend the convention, but that they must
accompany a licensed woman. She said that the focus is primarily on
YLs. So, if this all sounds fun to you, please check out the
convention's website at triple-w Y-L-R-L_convention dot org.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Paul Braun WD9GCO.

**
A SPORTING WAY TO SCORE AT THE WRTC

JIM/ANCHOR: The radio athletes are ready for the big World Radiosport
Team Championship taking place July 12 through 16. So how is everyone
going to know the score? Ed Durrant DD5LP explains.

ED: How's the competition going? Who is ahead? Where is a particular
team? Answers to these questions interest competitors and spectators
alike, in every sport - including radio sports. It's about speed not
only in the operators at the WRTC stations but also with results
reporting. On-line presentation of the current scores requires a lot of
technical effort behind the scenes! Ben Büttner, DL6RAI, who leads the
responsible IT team at WRTC 2018, says: "We want to make sure that from
all the competition locations, the on-going results in minute intervals
are available on a scoreboard similar to a Football league table and at
the same on the Internet published on www.wrtc2018.de. "In order for
this to work, special attention is attached to unwanted RF radiation,
thermal stability and redundant power when we build the Score
Collection Computers." The SCCs, which are built on a RaspberryPi base,
collect the information required for the presentation of the results
from the relevant logbook software at each site and transfer this data
via the mobile phone network to a central server. From the results
gathered there, the current position table is created and made visible
on the Internet for everyone. The idea of a current scores table is
not new. The scoreboards were already available in 2002 "on-line", but
only current on an hourly basis. At that time, the referees sent
messages via SMS, which were then published to the Internet. At the
time it was extraordinary and a novelty. At WRTC 2014 in Boston, Bob
Raymond, WA1Z and Dave Pascoe, KM3T, developed the SCC concept. When
used in 2014, however, it became clear that not all locations could be
reliably reached via the local mobile phone network. "You can watch the
top people driving each other during the contest. This scoreboard is
also interesting and useful for normal radio ops as often there are
competitors with similar station capabilities to the normal Op. This is
fun and transforms the contest into a new kind of direct head-to-head
competition," comments Michael Höding, DL6MHW.

For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Ed Durrant DD5LP.

**

HAM NAMED MINISTER FOR SCIENCE IN SPAIN

JIM/ANCHOR: It's not unusual for government officials to also be
licensed as hams. Think of King Hussein of Jordan JY1. Think of U.S.
Senator Barry Goldwater K7UGA. Well, now Spain has an influential
amateur as one of its own in government. Here's Jeremy Boot G4NJH with
those details.

JEREMY: Spain's new Socialist government not only has a record number
of women -- 11 -- in its 17 cabinet posts but it has one amateur radio
operator as well: Pedro Duque, 55, KC5RGG / ED4ISS is the new minister
of science. Pedro was among those sworn in recently by Spain's King
Felipe VI.

The former astronaut has been well-grounded since his last space
mission in 2003 on board the International Space Station where he spent
a week and completed two ARISS contacts with schools in Spain. His
first trip into space came in 1998 as part of NASA's STS-95 mission
from Cape Canaveral in Florida. It was a nine-day mission aboard the
shuttle Discovery and he was a mission specialist.

The new science minister is an aeronautical engineer who will now
concern himself with more earthly matters.

FOr Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Jeremy Boot G4NJH.

(SOUTHGATE, BBC)

**

A LIFE-SAVING PACT IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

JIM/ANCHOR: Atlantic hurricane season has begun and preparedness is on
everyone's minds in that region. The Dominican Republic is taking no
chances - it's reaffirming its partnership with hams. Here's Andy
Morrison K9AWM with more.

ANDY MORRISON: In the Dominican Republic, which has seen its share of
weather disasters, Radio Club Dominicano has signed an agreement with
Dominican Civilian Defense. The May 30 pact cements the relationship
between the two, ensuring enhanced cooperation during emergencies.

The two will work together with Dominican Civil Defense relying on the
radio club for emergency communications during disaster response. The
club notes that the agreement comes just as the Atlantic hurricane
season gets underway. The Dominican Republic was among the places
devastated last year during Hurricanes Irma and Maria.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Andy Morrison K9AWM.

**

BREAK HE Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur
Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world including
the K7EFZ repeater in Firth Idaho on Friday evenings at 9:30 local time
during the weekly net.

**

SILENT KEY: YASME FOUNDATION DIRECTOR/SECRETARY KIP EDWARDS W6SZN

JIM/ANCHOR: The influential Yasme Foundation and its supports are
mourning the death of an amateur who was its lifeblood. Stephen Kinford
N8WB has that report.

STEPHEN'S REPORT: The director and secretary of the Yasme Foundation, a
nonprofit that supports amateur radio projects worldwide, has become a
Silent Key. DXpeditioner and DX contester G. Kip Edwards W6SZN, of
Indianola, Washington, died on June 6.

Yasme Foundation president Ward Silver, N0AX, told the ARRL that Kip
was the prime mover behind a number of important grant programs and
brought a sharp sense of organization to several amateur radio
organizations. A lawyer by training, he retired in 2013 from a San
Francisco practice where he had been a partner. He relocated to
Washington state.

A member of the DXCC Honor roll, Kip got his earliest amateur radio
license at the age of 11 in Kansas. He rekindled an interest in the
hobby as an adult after years of inactivity. He eventually became
president of the Northern California Contest Club and editor of its
newsletter. He was honored by the club as Contester of the Year in
1982. He was also a member and one-time president of the Northern
California DX Club.

He was a life member of the ARRL and a member of the ARRL Maxim
Society. Kip was 71.

For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Stephen Kinford N8WB.

(YASME FOUNDATION, ARRL)

**
SILENT KEY: JAPAN AMATEUR RADIO LEAGUE PAST PRESIDENT SHOZO HARA JA1AN

JIM/ANCHOR: In Japan, ham radio operators are marking the death of an
influential past president and CQ Hall of Famer. We have that report
from Robert Broomhead VK3DN.

ROBERT: The past president of the Japan Amateur Radio League and a
member of the CQ Amateur Radio Hall of Fame has become a Silent Key.
Shozo Hara JA1AN, who had trained as an electrical engineer at Waseda
University, died on June 9.

The Nagasaki prefecture native became a director of the league in 1972
and then was chosen as president. He served for 41 years, stepping down
in 2011. He had also been the first president of the Japan Amateur
Radio Development Association.

CQ inducted him into the Amateur Radio Hall of Fame in 2003.

Shozo Hara, who had also been an accomplished equestrian, was 91.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Robert Broomhead VK3DN.

**

THAILAND PUTS AMATEUR RADIO EXAMS ON LINE FOR SAMPLING

JIM/ANCHOR: Sure you've got your license in your home country - but do
you ever wonder if you could qualify elsewhere? Jason Daniels VK2LAW
helps answer that question.

JASON: Could you qualify for your amateur license in Thailand? If you
aren't one of that nation's 110,000 radio amateurs and want to see if
you could make the grade, the National Broadcasting and
Telecommunications Commission, Thailand's communications agency, has
posted sample exams online for the world to see and perhaps sample.

For years, any exams other than those for the basic license were
unavailable - but now the intermediate and advanced tests are among
those posted online. The tests are timed, by the way. You have 90
minutes to answer 100 questions for the basic and intermediate license
and two hours for the 100 questions on the advanced license
examination. They don't count for a real license but they give you a
good idea of what would be involved if you sat for the test.

Meanwhile, those who have their license are getting an opportunity to
use a special event call sign now through Oct. 31. Be listening for
stations using HS50IARU which commemorates the 50th anniversary of
Region 3 of the International Amateur Radio Union. Thailand is among a
number of countries whose amateur societies belong to Region 3.

For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Jason Daniels VK2LAW.

(SOUTHGATE)

**

WORLD OF DX

In the world of DX, be listening for Tatsuko, JJ1BDT from Palau in
Micronesia using the call sign T88YL. She is operating holiday style
from June 22nd through June 27th on 40, 17 and 15 meters SSB. She is
new to the HF bands and asks everyone's patience. Send QSLs via JR1FKR.

Dave, W9DR is active as VP5/W9DR from the Caicos Islands from the
13th to the 25th of June. He is on 6 meters only, operating SSB and CW.
Send QSLs direct to his home call.

John, W5JON, will once again be active as V47JA from his vacation home
at Calypso Bay, St. Kitts, from June 22nd through July 20th. Listen for
him on 160-6 meters, including 60 meters, on SSB. He will also be in
the Phone Section of the IARU SSB Contest July 14th and 15th. Send QSLs
to W5JON direct or via LoTW. No bureau QSLs please.

Listen for Special station VP8HDM on the 16th and 17th of June from the
Historic Dockyard Museum in Stanley in the Falkland Islands. You can
hear the station on FT8 and SSB. Send QSLs via VP8LP, direct only.

(OHIO-PENN DX)

**
100 WATTS AND A WIRE TOTALS 1,630 CONTACTS

JIM/ANCHOR: We here at Newsline would also like to congratulate one of
our own - Christian Cudnik K0STH - on a successful Tune-Up Weekend June
8th through 10th. He reports that 56 states and provinces and 21
countries were worked for a total of 1,630 total contacts -- most of
them on SSB.

**

KICKER: DEATH OF A NAVAJO CODE TALKER

JIM/ANCHOR: Finally, we mark the death of one of the last surviving
Navajo Code Talkers. Samuel Tom Holiday died in the Southern Utah
Veterans Home on June 11 at age 94. He was one of hundreds of Navajos
to utilize an unbreakable code during World War II - a code based on
the Navajo language which the Japanese were never able to crack.
According to various news reports, there are fewer than 10 Code Talkers
remaining from that era.

Samuel Tom Holiday, a native of Utah, served with the United States
Marine Corps. Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey called him a "true American
patriot and hero" for his service to the allied forces. He had been the
recipient of a Congressional Silver Medal and the Purple Heart.

He was to be buried on the Navajo Reservation, in Kayenta, Arizona
beside his wife. His honor lives on in the library and media center of
the Kayenta Middle School which was dedicated in his name last
November. Thank you for your service Samuel Tom Holiday.

(FOX 10 PHOENIX, NATIVE NEWS ONLINE)

**

NEWSCAST CLOSE: With thanks to Alan Labs; Amateur News Weekly; the
ARRL; BBC; CQ Magazine; DX World; Fox 10 Phoenix; Hap Holly and the
Rain Report; Native News Online; Ohio-Penn DX Bulletin; QRZNOW.COM,
Southgate Amateur Radio News; Ted Randall's QSO Radio Show; Wireless
Institute of Australia; WTWW Shortwave; Yasme Foudation and you our
listeners, that's all from the Amateur Radio Newsline. Please send
emails to our address at . More information is
available at Amateur Radio Newsline's only official website at
www.arnewsline.org.

For now, with Caryn Eve Murray, KD2GUT, at the news desk in New York,
and our news team worldwide, I'm Jim Damron N8TMW in Charleston West
Virginia saying 73 and as always we thank you for listening.

Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) is Copyright 2018. All rights reserved.