Amateur Radio Newsline Report 1992, January 1, 2016

Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1992 with a release date of
Friday, January 1, 2016 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.

The following is a QST. New Jersey radio amateurs mark the 70th
anniversary of a historic "moon bounce" transmission. In Wisconsin, a
hospital frees up space on its tower to accommodate a local ham club's
new repeater. A British family reactivates a beloved old call sign. And
as the holidays wind down, a few special events gear up. All this and
more in Amateur Radio Newsline Report 1992 coming your way right now.

(Billboard Cart Here and Intro)

**

THE SPIRIT OF 2016: THE SPIRIT OF COMPETITION

We begin the first newscast of 2016 with our wishes for a Happy New
Year, and with some ways to get yourself in shape for the busy year
ahead on the air. In fact, think of the first few days of 2016 as a
good workout for all those radio-intensive months to come.

During the first days of the new year, you can even give your
microphone a break. The ARRL's annual Straight Key night launches the
contest calendar on New Year's Day - Friday, January 1. It's not really
competitive, and there are no points - except for the most important
point of all, which is to have fun.

The Straight Key event segues immediately into the RTTY roundup. This
Roundup isn't limited solely to RTTY, however. If you're a fan of
PSK31, ASCII, AMTOR and Packet (attended), jump in! The Roundup runs
from 1800 UTC Saturday, January 2 through 2359 UTC Sunday, January 3,
with operation on 80, 40, 20, 15, and 10 meters. Both paper and
Cabrillo logs are accepted, but all are due by February 2.

Contact the ARRL Contest Branch for more information. That email is
.

By the way, if you want an alternative to the ARRL Straight Key Event,
try AMSAT's own event, which is dedicated to the memory of Ben
Stevenson, W2BXA, who became a Silent Key in 2011. The only requirement
in this non-competitive event is that you operate CW through any
amateur satellite using a manual key on New Year's Day, January 1.
Stevenson, a top DXer in the ham radio community, was the founder of
the North Jersey DX Association.

(ARRL, AMSAT)

**

A DAY FOR KIDS

Before you start thinking that the weekend's radio events are just for
adults only, guess again: The younger set gets in on the action Sunday,
January 3, during ARRL's Kids Day. Hams are being encouraged to open
their shacks to younger family members, the local Scout troop,
neighborhood youngsters - anyone, really - who has a youthful curiosity
about what it's like to hit that Push-To-Talk button or tap a code key.

Visit the ARRL website to see operating recommendations and, of course,
what the event exchange will be. A word of caution: Be sure you know
your favorite color before you get on the air. That information is a
vital part of the exchange!

This event will be repeated in June - but why wait? The year is young
and so are all those potential hams waiting out there.

(ARRL)

**

NEW YEAR, NEW DX

And finally, ending this roundup of New Years-related happenings, we
report that a group of DXers in Ireland have called a planning meeting
on Saturday, January 2 to organize an EI DX Group. The amateurs are
hoping to discuss better ways to chase DXCC but also make even bigger
plans - to get out there and do some serious DXpeditioning themselves!!

The group will meet at noon local time in the Maldron Hotel in
Portlaoise. For more information, Irish radio amateurs are encouraged
to contact Dave EI9FBB or Pat EI9HX.

(IRISH RADIO TRANSMITTERS SOCIETY)

**

HAMS USING HOSPITAL ANTENNA

In Wisconsin, a bit of hospital equipment has just become ham equipment
too. Recognizing the important role amateur radio signals can play in
local disasters, Ministry Eagle River Memorial Hospital has given space
on its tower to a local club repeater.

The Vilas County Amateur Radio Club, KD9DXK, has activated its
repeater, making it ready for service in emergencies or to assist with
community events.

Mark Dascalos, a spokesman for the hospital, told local National Public
Radio member station WXPR recently that bringing the ham radio club
onto the tower was a decision that made good sense. Dascalos said:
QUOTE "...here in the Northwoods we have difficulty with cell signals
and probably equal-wise with radio signals....It was an opportunity to
use our tall antenna at the hospital to install a repeater."ENDQUOTE

Club members will make use of the expanded signal to provide
communication support for community events as well as community
disasters.

The tower space is being provided free to the club.

(WXPR.ORG)

**

POW! TO THE MOON, ALICE!

[DON/ANCHOR:] Anyone who appreciates what older radio equipment can
still do, will appreciate the importance of a commemorative moonbounce
event taking place this month in New Jersey. Amateur Radio Newsline's
Heather Embee, KB3TZD, tells us the plan.


[HEATHER'S REPORT]

Seventy years ago, a team from the U.S. Army, operating at Fort
Monmouth, New Jersey's "Project Diana" site, successfully copied radio
signals that had been bounced from the moon using an Army trackingdish.

That site is now part of the InfoAge Science History Museum where, on
January 10, the EME, or "earth-moon-earth" bounce, will be recreated,
marking the date when the historic transmission both left its mark and
its signal, in 1946.

In fact, the radio amateurs intend to use that same dish, which has
long since been demilitarized and refurbished. The TLM-18 received
those first historic signals during its time of active service on that
site as a ground station for the TIROS 1 and 2 weather satellites and
for Project Vanguard.

The commemorative transmission will occur on 23 centimeters from the
station of the Ocean Monmouth Amateur Radio Club, N2MO, sent by members
of that club as well as hams from Princeton University and the science
museum. The dish's primary role, as used by Daniel Marlow, K2QM, is to
help observe radio pulsars as well as radiation from the Milky Way.
Marlow teaches physics at Princeton University and serves on the board
of InfoAge.

The TLM-18 is being made available for the amateurs' moonbounce on a
secondary basis. Nevertheless, promising this group the moon - and then
delivering - is going to be just as historic an event as it had been
back in 1946. For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Heather Embee, KB3TZD, in
Berwick, Pennsylvania.

(ARRL, INFOAGE MUSEUM)


**

SEVEN SCHOOLS CHOSEN FOR ARRL GRANTS

Giving a boost to student and teacher literacy in wireless technology,
the ARRL has selected seven schools to receive grants from its
Education and Technology Program for the academic year 2015-2016,

The schools are Akron STEM High School, Akron, Ohio; Liberal Arts &
Science Academy High School, Austin, Texas ; Life Christian School,
Aloha, Oregon; Rock Canyon High School, Highland Ranch, Colorado;
Southport Elementary School, Kenosha, Wisconsin; Wink High School,
Wink, Texas, and Yucaipa High School, Yucaipa, California. The
application deadline for these grants, which are given annually, isNov.
1

The grants encourage the use of amateur radio to explore radio science
and electronics and focus on lessons in math, science, engineering, and
technology through hands-on activities. So far, 579 schools have
received support from the ARRL program, which comes in the form of
resource grants or equipment.

(ARRL)

**

CANCELLED BUT NOT FORGOTTEN

Two special events that had been set for late 2015 are being
rescheduled, following their cancellations.

The popular Iron Ham contest, which was to have marked its fourth year,
was dropped from the calendar after organizers noted how congested the
bands already were with various competitions at year's end. The
worldwide, three-mode contest - inspired by the sporting world event of
the same name - is a 24-hour, three-mode contest that has amateurs
operating on SSB, CW and RTTY.

Atilano Oms, PY5EG, one of the Brazilian amateurs involved in the
organizing, said the 2016 contest would be announced at a later date.

And ARISS cancelled its late-December Slow-Scan TV event aboard the
International Space Station. The move was the result of what organizers
called "complications in planning. The good news is that the wait won't
be quite as long for this event: ARISS has said it is looking to
reschedule the slow-scan for mid-January 2016.


(DXCOFFEE, ARISS)

**

BREAK HE

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio
Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including radio
station KSET-AM in Lumberton/Beaumont, Texas. We're heard Sunday
mornings at 9:45 local time on Musicradio 1300.

**

HOLIDAY RESPITE AT THE WIA

DON/ANCHOR: Everyone likes to take a break for the holidays, and the
Wireless Institute of Australia is enjoying theirs now - but not before
getting a lot of work done first. Amateur Radio Newsline's Graham Kemp,
VK4BB, tells us mo

[GRAHAM'S REPORT:] Although the Wireless Institute of Australia is on
its summer holiday break, the office reports that this brief slow
season of respite was preceded by a very busy period:

The WIA's vice president, Fred Swainston, VK3DAC, reported that during
a four-week period late in 2015, 73 certificates of proficiency were
issued by the Exam Service, all of them requiring a new call sign.
There were also 11 more certificates issued to amateurs who were
returning to the hobby after a period of inactivity.

While the WIA enjoys a brief bit of inactivity of its own for these
remaining days, it's still very preoccupied with plans for the year
ahead. The WIA will work, among other things, to streamline the tasks
of its volunteer assessors.

Holiday breaks, like the holiday season itself, don't last forever
though: The office and Exam Service reopen their doors on January 11.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Graham Kemp, VK4BB.


(Wireless Institute of Australia)


**

SPREADING THE WORD IN INDIA

The National Institute of Amateur Radio in India has had a busy
calendar, one that included a major conference as well as a police
department training session, back-to-back. Attending the 2015 Applied
Electromagnetics Conference in Assam, India, NIAR's Executive Vice
Chairman and Director, S. Ram Mohan, VU2MYH, led a panel discussion on
establishing communications during major disasters that knock out
conventional means.

Later, using the special call sign, 8T5APS, he was joined by Jose
Jacob, VU2JOS, in demonstrating how a ham radio station works. The
conference, held at the Indian Institute of Technology, was attended by
students and staff of the school, as well as delegates throughoutIndia.

The NIAR hams also led an amateur radio awareness program for law
enforcement officials at the Assam Police Radio Organization Training
School in Guwahai, Assam, demonstrating HF as well as Pactor
communications. Operators and technicians who work for the police
department are to be trained in various modes of radio communications,
including Morse Code. (NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF AMATEUR RADIO,
SOUTHGATEARC)

**

SPECTRUM SHORTCHANGED IN THE UK?

The Radio Society of Great Britain believes the growth of amateur radio
in the UK is at risk as a result of insufficient primary allocations on
the spectrum. Speaking in the UK Spectrum Usage & Demand Second Report
released December 18, the RSGB noted that without primary ham radio
allocations between 400 MHz and 24 GHz in the UK, confidence,
investment and growth of ham radio is severely restricted.

According to the RSGB, this creates a particularly difficult situation
for earth-moon-earth, narrowband terrestrial systems and satellite
transponders. The Society recommended adding to the spectrum to enable
experimentation along with an expansion of digital voice. The Society
would also like to see space for an extension of digital TV, new data
modes and higher data speed technologies.

The forum is a sounding board on long-term spectrum issues for the
government in the UK, and for Ofcom.

(RSGB, ARRL)

**

HONORS AT HAMVENTION

If you're planning to attend Dayton Hamvention in May this year, don't
just be an attendee - be a part of the awards ceremony by nominating
candidates now. Organizers are looking to present awards for Amateur of
the Year, Special Achievement, Technical Excellence and Club of
theYear.

You have until Feb. 1 to submit the names of deserving candidates, and
all licensed amateurs are eligible. Forms and details about how
candidates can qualify are available on the Dayton Hamvention website.
Find the website at the bottom of this story on our Amateur Radio
Newsline website. Or send questions to .



Website is http://hamvention.org/event-details/awards/

(HENRY RUMINSKI, Hamvention Media Chair)


**

THE WORLD OF DX


Rob, DL7VOA, is on the air from Vanuatu in the South Pacific until Jan.
13, using the callsign, YJ4AO, mainly during the local evening and
night hours. QSL to his home call.

Stefan, DF8HS, is active as DF8HS/P from Fehmarn Island until January
11, working SSB, RTTY and PSK on 80 through 10 meters. QSL via his home
callsign, via the Bureau or direct. Harry, JG7PSJ, is operating as
JD1BMH from Ogasawara until January 9. He is active on all bands and
using SSB, CW and RTTY. Send QSLs to his home call.

Bernhard, DL2GAC, is preparing to work as H44MS on a DX vacation to
Honiara, Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands (OC-047), between January
19 and April 14. He will be on 80 meters through 6 meters - and
possibly 160 meters. He is working SSB only. Send QSLs to his home
callsign or via the bureau.

Andrea, HB9DUR, is working as EX/HB9DUR from Bishkek in Kyrgyzatan
until January 8. He is working holiday style on all HF bands, but
primarily the higher bands. QSL via his home callsign, direct or via
ClubLog's OQRS.

(OHIO PENN DX NEWSLETTER)

**

KICKER: A CHRISTMAS PRESENT FROM CHRISTMAS PAST


DON/ANCHOR: We end this newscast, and start this new year of 2016, by
ringing out the old - but also ringing IN the old. Doing just that,
this past Christmas, meant the world to the Bird family of England.
Amateur Radio Newsline's Jeremy Boot, G4NJH, explains:

[JEREMY'S REPORT:]

Though radio waves are celebrated more for their ability to connect
people in crisis, or across continents, one famly in England is
celebrating radio's ability to connect people across generations --with
the help of a treasured call sign.

The call sign, G4ZU, was assigned to DXer Gordon 'Dick' Bird, a
designer of HF antennas and author of many technical articles for
publication. Dick became a Silent Key 10 years ago at the age of 86.
Some years later, Pete Sipple, M0PSX, the husband of Bird's
granddaughter, Sarah, was able to get Ofcom's permission to have the
call sign transferred to him instead. It was the latest gesture in a
long tradition of ham radio in the family, especially since Sarah
Sipple, M6PSK, has been the holder of a foundation license for the past
four years.

But something special was in the air - or rather, ON the air - as the
family gathered for this past Christmas. The grandfather's old call
sign was reactivated for the first time since his death in 2005 and as
the family gathered for the holiday, it launched something of a QSO
party. Family members extended greetings to one another via radio and
even the late amateur's great-granddaughter, Kathryn, age 8, joined in.

Sarah Sipple was quoted as saying afterward in a local report: "It's
great that the historic G4ZU callsign is still active, in memory of
Dick's passion for amateur radio. Ten years after Dick Bird went SK,
G4ZU was again on-air, connecting three generations of the family
together using amateur radio - a nice Christmas present, and one for
the Bird family scrapbook.

Best of all, it's one Christmas present no one will ever have to, or
want to, exchange.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jeremy Boot, G4NJH, in Nottingham,
theUK.


(ESSEXHAM.CO.UK)

**

NEWSCAST CLOSE With thanks to Alan Labs; the ARRL; CQ Magazine;
DXCOFFEE; DX.NET; Essexham; Hap Holly and the Rain Report; Henry
Ruminski, Dayton Hamvention; InfoAge Museum; Irish Radio Transmitters
Society; the Ohio-Penn DX Bulletin; Southgate Amateur Radio News; TWiT
TV; weather.com; Wireless Institute of Australia; WXPR Radio; and you
our listeners, that's all from the Amateur Radio Newsline. Our email
address is . More information is available at
Amateur Radio Newsline's only official website located at
www.arnewsline.org. You can also write to us or support us at Amateur
Radio Newsline, 28197 Robin Avenue, Santa Clarita, CA 91350.

For now, with Caryn Eve Murray, KD2GUT, at the news desk in New York,
and our news team worldwide, I'm Don Wilbanks, AE5DW, in Picayune,
Mississippi, saying 73, Happy New Year, and as always we thank you for
listening.

Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) is Copyright 2016. All rights reserved.