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Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2274 for Friday May 28, 2021
Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2274 for Friday May 28, 2021
Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2274 with a release date of Friday May 28, 2021 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1. The following is a QST. Hams mobilize in search for preteen boy. There are six new inductees in the CQ Hall of Fame -- and Bletchley Park is reopening. All this and more as Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2274 comes your way right now. *** BILLBOARD CART ** INDIANA HAMS MOBILIZE IN SEARCH FOR YOUNG BOY JIM/ANCHOR: We begin this week's report with an account of amateur radio responsiveness in a human drama that turned to tragedy: a sweeping search for a missing 12-year-old boy with autism which ended with the discovery of his body in the Little Calumet River. Members of the Amateur Radio Association of Newton County, Indiana, were among the hundreds of volunteers aiding the search for Kyrin Carter, the Missouri youth who was last seen on May 15th leaving the Indiana hotel where his family had been staying. Club president Mike Swiader [pronounced: SWAYDER] KA9E told Newsline that the hams provided VHF digital communications and GPS for the northwest Indiana's K9 search and rescue teams, serving as their communications branch. Working inside the association's mobile communications unit, the hams logged coordinates from the teams while they were deployed, providing digital tracking to help create a search map. Meanwhile, other searchers were deployed on foot, on horseback, by helicopter and by boat and were joined by the FBI and police from Indiana and nearby Illinois. On Monday, May 24th, the body of the little boy was found in the river and dive teams pulled him out. By then, Mike said, the hams' team had been demobilized because the nature of the search had changed. They learned of the boy's death through their liaison to local law enforcement. (MIKE SWIADER KA9E, NW INDIANA TIMES) ** HAMS INVITED TO JOIN IN HONORING WORLD WAR II HERO JIM/ANCHOR: Hams are being invited to help honor the last surviving recipient of the most prestigious military award given after World War II. Kevin Trotman N5PRE tells us how. KEVIN: Not everyone has a United States Navy warship commissioned in their honor but Hershel "Woody" Williams, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and Medal of Honor recipient was present in Norfolk, Virginia for just such a ceremony last year. This year, amateur radio operators are planning a unique gesture of their own at a birthday reception for Woody. Woody, the nation's last surviving recipient of the Medal of Honor from World War II, turns 98 on October 2nd. Donna Snow W5SML, known for the American reality TV show "Texas Flip N Move," has begun collecting QSL cards and birthday greetings to be presented to him at the reception in Texas on October 13th Woody received the Medal for bravery during the Battle of Iwo Jima. He continues his service through the Woody Williams Foundation, which assists Gold Star Families, people whose family members have lost their lives in service to their country.. Amateur radio operators who want to help honor Woody can send a QSL card with their wishes to the address at the bottom of Donna's page on QRZ.com. Donna also writes: [quote] "Don't worry about sending too many, I have BIG trailers!" [endquote] For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Kevin Trotman N5PRE. Jim: Woody is from right here in West Virginia, I'm proud to say. (REX KING W5EAK, QRZ) ** SENDING A MESSAGE TO SAMUEL F.B. MORSE JIM/ANCHOR: If you could contact Samuel F.B. Morse, what would you tell him? Newsline's Randy Sly W4XJ posed that question to mark an important anniversary. RANDY: On May 24, 1844, Samuel F.B. Morse sent the first telegraph message from Washington, DC to Alfred Vail in Baltimore, Maryland. In addition to helping invent the telegraph, Morse also developed the code he sent. Today, the preservation of Morse Code has been left primarily in the hands of amateur radio operators. On this anniversary, Amateur Radio Newsline asked a few hams what they would say to Samuel Morse if he were alive today. Howard Bernstein, WB2UZE, co-founder of the Long Island CW Club said: "Thank you so much for having the forethought and vision to create one of the most internationally beneficial modes of communication still in use 177 years later." Steve Szabo, WB4OMM, of the North American QRP CW Club said: "No one could have envisioned the future communications technology that you originated. I'm in awe that low power Morse Code using a simple transceiver and a wire can span the globe." Finally, Stew Rolfe, GW0ETF, President of the CW Operators Club said: "Well Sam, I bet you never thought your simple code would be heard across the airwaves well into the 21st century, kept alive and lovingly cared for by a bunch of hobbyists in pretty much every country of the world!" For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Randy Sly, W4XJ. Thank you, Mr. Morse for giving us the original digital mode. ** BLETCHLEY PARK REOPENING JIM/ANCHOR: Enthusiasts of code, and of history, are grateful to learn that Bletchley Park and the National Radio Centre are reopening in Great Britain. Jeremy Boot G4NJH tells us more. JEREMY: Bletchley Park, which was the heart and soul of codebreaking during World War II, has reopened its doors to visitors as pandemic restrictions become less stringent in Great Britain. At the same time, the National Radio Centre of the Radio Society of Great Britain, which is located on the historic site, will resume its own array of activities. The National Radio Centre reopens daily starting on Friday the 28th of May and will offer demonstrations of amateur radio from the GB3RS station. Visitors may observe operations but for now will not be permitted into the radio room. The welcome being extended by Bletchley is being delivered cautiously, however, and is following COVID-19 safety guidelines. Visitors are being asked to book their visits in advance by going online and selecting a predetermined time of entry. Beginning on the 7th of June, Bletchley Park will also welcome educational groups who will again be able to make use of on-site resources. For details or to book a visit visit bletchleypark.org.uk For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Jeremy Boot G4NJH. (BLETCHLEY PARK, RSGB) ** SILENT KEY: FORMER MINNESOTA BUSINESSMAN RICHARD PHILSTROM W0TLE JIM/ANCHOR: The former owner of a successful ham radio supply center in Minnesota has become a Silent Key. Kent Peterson KC0DGY tells us abouthim. KENT: Richard Philstrom W0TLE, a lifelong radio amateur in the Minneapolis area and creator of a business that served local amateurs in the 1980s, has become a Silent Key. A veteran of the US Navy, Dick became a licensed ham in 1965, receiving the callsign WN0NHL shortly before entering the military service. When he left the Navy, he was hired at Electronic Center in Minneapolis, reporting to Ward Jensen who became his ham radio mentor. At Electronic Center, Dick eventually became manager of the business' ham radio department. By 1980, he had purchased the department and opened it in North Minneapolis as Midwest Amateur Radio Supply. Four years later, he left the business to begin work for various companies dealing in super computers and eventually left the industry to work for a medical supply company. Dick was a charter member of the Handi Hams organization, which serves amateurs with disabilities; a life member of the ARRL and a member of the Quarter Century Wireless Association. Dick died May 8th at the age of 76. His callsign had formerly belonged to his mentor Ward Jensen W0TLE. For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Kent Peterson KC0DGY. (QCWA, LEGACY.COM) ** CQ MAGAZINE ANNOUNCES 2021 HALL OF FAMERS JIM/ANCHOR: There are some familliar names being added to the CQ Amateur Radio Hall of Fame this year and Stephen Kinford N8WB tells us who they are. STEPHEN: Six amateur radio operators have been added to the CQ Amateur Radio Hall of Fame, which honors individuals who have made prominent contributions to the community either as hams or through their professional careers. This year's inductees, announced on Friday, May 21st, include Archibald Doty, W7ACD, a Silent Key. A cofounder of the second oldest college radio station in the US, he was also heavily involved in research into vertical antennas. Other inductees include Nathaniel Frissell, W2NAF, founder of Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation and organizer of the 2017 Solar Eclipse QSO Party. Another honoree is concert pianist Lorin Hollander WA1PGB, who augments work as a performer with deep involvement in music and arts education. CQ is also honoring former ARRL counsel and general counsel Christopher Imlay W3KD; noted propagation researcher Cathryn Mitchell M-Zero-IBG; and Admiral Charles Richard, W4HFZ, commander of USSTRATCOM, the United States Strategic Command, one of eleven unified commands of the Department of Defense. The Hall, created in 2001, now has a total of 339 members. For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Stephen Kinford N8WB. (CQ MAGAZINE) ** BREAK HE Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world as well as anytime, on demand, through the Hamshack Hotline system. Choose Extension 7008, Option 1. ** 2020's YHOTY CHRIS BRAULT KD8YVJ WINS ARDC SCHOLARSHIP JIM/ANCHOR: Congrats to Amateur Radio Newsline's Young Ham of the Year for 2020 Chris Brault, KD8YVJ. The ARRL announced that he was among the more than 200 deserving winners of scholarships through the ARRL Foundation. Chris is the recipient of a $10,000 Amateur Radio Digital Communications scholarship. Chris will be attending St. Louis University with a major in Aeronautics and a minor in computer science. He's also weeks away from earning his private pilot license. We here at Newsline wish this deserving young amateur all the best. ** DEADLINE CLOSING FOR YOUNG HAM OF THE YEAR JIM/ANCHOR: Speaking of the Young Ham of the Year Award, May 31st at midnight Eastern time is the deadline to submit your nominations for this year's recipient. If you know of an outstanding licensed radio amateur under the age of 18 in the US, Canada or any of the US possessions, please download the nomination form from our website, complete it and email it back to The award will be presented at the Huntsville Hamfest in Alabama in August. ** CALIFORNIA AMATEURS LAUNCH BOATS ON THE AIR JIM/ANCHOR: What's better than having boats in the water? Try having Boats on the Air. Well, one group in California is making it happen. Dave Parks WB8ODF explains. DAVE: In the same tradition as POTA, SOTA and IOTA, now there's BOTAâ-"that is, Boats on the Air, an activation that its organizers hope will set sail as an activity worldwide. The inaugural Boats on the Air is leaving the dock on Saturday, June 5th and operators from the San Francisco Amateur Radio Club will be activating watercraft of all kinds. For the organizers, including Kent Carter, AJ6NI, the floating shack will be a sailboat called the Auriah (AH-RYE-AH). Part of the challenge, he said, is to bring mobile ham radio gear into a marine environment and get on FM, AM, CW, SSB, digital voice or digital data modes. Chasers and activators will be on the air for three hours beginning 2000 UTC. A boat is considered to be activated if it completes four QSOs. The event website says: [quote] "Join us to activate any moving floating object on any body of water." [endquote] In short, that means the boat can be powered by motor, by sailâ-"even by human effort or....well, use your imagination. In other words, whatever floats your boat. For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Dave Parks WB8ODF. (KENT CARTER AJ6NI) ** RADIO SOCIETY OF GREAT BRITAIN CHANGES 50MHz AWARDS JIM/ANCHOR: Changes are coming to some awards being given by the Radio Society of Great Britain. Jeremy Boot G4NJH gives us the details. JEREMY: The RSGB will be merging the 50MHz 2-Way Countries award and the 50MHz DX Countries award soon, having determined that the two awards significantly duplicate one another. The new award will be released as the 50MHz Countries award and it will retain the incremental levels of award present in the two it will replace. Hams who have been working towards either of the current 50MHz awards will have until the end of this year to complete them while the RSGB works toward launching the new award. For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Jeremy Boot G4NJH. (RSGB) ** POPULAR D-STAR NET CHANGES CHECK-IN TIME JIM/ANCHOR: Here in the US, a popular D-STAR Net is starting check-ins two hours earlier and has big plans to get involved in emergency response. Here's Andy Morrison K9AWM with those details. ANDY: The Illinois D-STAR Net is on the move. Starting on Wednesday, June 2nd, it is starting two hours earlier. Hams will be able to check in at 7 p.m. Central Time. Net control Steven Reiners KC9SIO told Newsline that there are two benefits to moving the time of the Net, which meets on Reflector 51 D. Steven said he is hoping that the move will attract new members, bring back many of the original ones, and fulfil the Net's original mission to foster conversation among stations throughout the state. He said the other goal of the move is to have the Net join a statewide system for emergency communications, eventually attracting the participation by hams in all 102 counties. Meanwhile, the KB0ZSG International D-Star Net continues to take check-ins on Sundays at 7 p.m. Central Time in the US on Reflector 91C. The net carries the name and callsign of founder Connie Ballantyne, who became a Silent Key in February 2020. For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Andy Morrison K9AWM. (STEVEN REINERS KC9SIO) ** GET READY FOR 'TUNE-UP' EVENT JIM/ANCHOR: If you can't wait for ARRL Field Day, you don't have to. The 100 Watts and a Wire community is encouraging hams to go portable on June 11th through June 13th as part of the annual Tune-Up Activity. It's a way to test your portable antennas and stations in preparation for the big event. If you don't have a portable station, you can still get on the air. Work as an individual or as part of a team, operating on any band and in any mode. The exchange is your Call sign, your 100WattID if you have one, your state, province or DX Country and a true signal report. ** WEST BENGAL HAMS HELP REUNITE MAN WITH FAMILY JIM/ANCHOR: Hams in West Bengal, India have helped an older man find his way back to his family in another Indian state. Jason Daniels VK2LAW brings us up to date. JASON: Amateur radio operators in West Bengal, India, are working to return a 70-year-old grandfather to his home and family in Uttar Pradesh. The man has become a familiar face to villagers for the past seven months because of his seemingly nonstop work weeding patches on the sides of roads, cleaning drainage ditches and tidying up around the banks of ponds. According to a newspaper account, he earned the nickname "Clean Grandpa" from the local residents who watched him work. Hams in West Bengal became involved after one of the local council members took a photo of the man doing his cleanup work and shared it on social media. The hams saw the photo and contacted local officials about him. The officials were able to track down the man's relatives. The family was making plans for their reunion with the man and to bring him home. The man's return home is being coordinated by club member Arnab Roy Chaudhury VU3JWN. Area residents told the newspaper they were sorry to see him leave, saying he did a better job cleaning up the village than any government workers could have done. For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Jason Daniels VK2LAW. (WEST BENGAL RADIO CLUB) ** KICKER: SPACE AGENCY LAUNCHES CONTEST TO NAME SPACECRAFT JIM/ANCHOR: Finally, we ask: What's in a name? Plenty if you're trying to name a spacecraft that's expect to have its moment in the sun. Graham Kemp VK4BB brings us the last story of this week. GRAHAM: Nothing may be new under the sun but something new will soon be out in space keeping a vigilant eye on solar activity. The European Space Agency is designing a solar-storm-hunting spacecraft that can spot eruptions known as coronal mass ejections before they reach the Earth. When the spacecraft detects danger, it will transmit an alert that allows us to prepare for what's to come here on Earth. The ESA is calling the spacecraft "the world's first mission to provide solar warning" -- but for now that's ALL the agency is able to call it because the craft doesn't have a name. Not yet, anyway. That's where the rest of us can step in. The ESA wants us to help name the spacecraft, which will join us in watching sunspots form and will track propagation of solar events before the end of the decade. Use the ESA website to enter the name of your choice. You have until the 17th of October. Just bear in mind that you can't submit names that have already been used for other missions. Sending those to the ESA for consideration will surely get you a bunch of coronal mass...rejections. For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Graham Kemp VK4BB. (EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY, AUTOEVOLUTION.COM) ** NEWSCAST CLOSE: With thanks to Amateur News Weekly; the ARRL; AutoEvolution.com; Bletchley Park CQ Magazine; David Behar K7DB; the European Space Ageny; Kent Carter AJ6NI; Legacy.com; Mike Swiader KA9E; NW Indiana Times; Ohio Penn DX newsletter; QCWA; QRZ.com; Radio Society of Great Britain; Rex King W5EAK; Steven Reiners KC9SIO; Southgate Amateur Radio News; shortwaveradio.de; Ted Randall's QSO Radio Show; WTWW Shortwave; 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 arnewsline.org. Be sure to follow some of these stories as they get a more indepth look on the YouTube Channel of 100 Watts and a Wire. Search for the video segment with the title "Two Stories." For now, with Caryn Eve Murray KD2GUT at the news desk in New York, and our news team worldwide, I'm Jim Damron, N8TMW, saying 73. As always we thank you for listening. Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) is Copyright 2021. All rights reserved. |
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