Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) Report 1986 November 20 2015
Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1986 with a release date of
Friday, November 20, 2015 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.
The following is a QST. The FCC suffers another temporary outage of its
Universal Licensing System. The amateur community gets ready to
recognize hard-working SKYWARN volunteers. And a special station
operating in the Antarctic refuses to let blizzards get in the way of
QSOs. All this and more in Amateur Radio Newsline report 1986 coming
your way right now.
(Billboard Cart Here and Intro)
**
BAD LUCK (AGAIN) AT THE FCC
We begin with news of yet another obstacle for the FCC's beleaguered
Universal Licensing System, which suffered a second, and then third
shutdown of its Electronic Batch Filing system. One stoppage occurred,
appropriately perhaps, on Friday the 13th, and shortly after the system
was restored on Wednesday, Nov. 18, it once again stopped working.
And just as bad propagation can pretty much close the bands, the FCC
outages have brought processing of VEC license and examination files to
a screeching halt.
The ARRL's VEC Manager, Maria Somma, AB1FM, said she hoped volunteer
examiners and applicants would try to be patient, especially since the
FCC has indicated there is not yet a long-term fix for the problem. The
agency did acknowledge, however, that the on-again, off-again ability
to process files stems from the same issue each time.
According to Somma, the ARRL VEC had an estimated 400 applications and
nearly 150 exam sessions awaiting FCC processing. A few files did
manage to make their way through the system on Wednesday, however,
before the system went off line again.
The scenario is reminiscent of the shutdown that occurred in early
September, frustrating license applicants and examiners, while the FCC
website underwent maintenance and a system upgrade.
At the time of this newscast's production, however, it seemed that the
amateur radio community was once again in for a bit of a waiting game.
(ARRL)
**
BOBBY BEST SKYWARN STORY
[ANCHOR/DON:] There's no question about the forecast for Dec. 5, 2015
-- the bands will be partly crowded, with 100 percent chance of
participation. That's the date the National Weather Service and the
ARRL have set for the 17th annual SKYWARN Recognition Day, a 24-hour
opportunity for hams to acknowledge colleagues who serve as trained
volunteers assisting the weather service. Amateur Radio Newsline's
Bobby Best, WX4ALA, has the details:
[BOBBY:] Ham radio operators aren't just fair-weather friends to local
offices of the National Weather Service. They're integral parts of the
wireless communication channel that passes along critical information,
often during the most severe weather. That's why, on SKYWARN
Recognition Day, when those hams set up operation at NWS offices around
the country, they'll look forward to making contact with other hams
nationwide on the HF bands, in various modes, and also on 2 meter and
440 repeaters. The stations will exchange call signs, signal reports,
location and, of course indicate it's rainy, cloudy, snowing, hailing
or perhaps even sunny.
The National Weather Service and ARRL created SKYWARN Recognition Day
in 1999. It's going to be a big day for amateurs everywhere who reach
out, make contact and yes, even say thank-you. And it'll be an even
bigger day for the nearly 300,000 trained severe weather spotters on
the receiving end.
After all, Dec. 5 will be their day to shine, like the sun itself.
For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bobby Best, WX4ALA in Jasper, Alabama.
**
100 YEARS AND GOING STRONG
[ANCHOR/DON:] A lot has happened in history and ham radio since the
South Jersey Radio Association, K2AA, incorporated in June of 1916. And
since a centennial event only comes along once every 100 years, the
club is marking the milestone of its continuous operation with hats,
T-shirts, coffee mugs, certificates and something even more special - a
Centennial Membership, open to any radio amateur who'd like to be part
of the celebration. Amateur Radio Newsline's Mark Abramowicz, NT3V, has
more:
[MARK'S REPORT]
[ANCHOR/DON:] While you do need a valid amateur radio license to join
the South Jersey celebration, you don't need to have a New Jersey home
address. And perhaps best of all, you don't need to be 100 years old.
**
NO SECRECY OVER NATIONAL PARKS EVENT
During World War II, the kind of activations that took place inside
government facilities in Hanford, Washington; Los Alamos, New Mexico
and Oak Ridge, Tennessee were of the scientific sort, top secret
components of the Manhattan Project, which developed America's first
atomic weapon. Those sites are about to be activated again - this time
for amateur radio. The U.S. Departments of Energy and the Interior have
declared the locations National Historic Sites, making them eligible
for next year's National Parks on the Air event, marking the National
Park Service's 100th anniversary.
But the agencies caution, these sites are not just another place to set
up your rig and entenna; they are considered sensitive locations and
are being treated as such.
So when the event kicks off next year, it's likely the kind of radio
activity this time around won't have the same mission as that during
the second World War. But it's bound to create a powerful reaction,
nonetheless - this time, on the HF bands.
**
NO CONTEST, N1MM'S A WINNER
Like so many of the ham radio contesters who rely on it, the popular
logging software, N1MM, has scored an award-winning contact.
The Yasme Foundation's board of directors has announced that the
development team behind the logging program, N1MM, has been given the
Yasme Excellence Award. The team includes Tom Wagner, N1MM; Rick
Ellison, N2AMG; Steve London, N2IC; and a number of others. The classic
version of the program is a free offering used by contesters worldwide.
N1MM Plus was then developed as a rewritten, revised version of the
original software.
The California-based nonprofit foundation gives its Excellence Award -
a plaque and monetary gift - recognizing those who make significant
contributions to ham radio from an operational, organizational or
technical standpoint. And they found N1MM deserving - no contest.
(YASME FOUNDATION)
**
BREAK HERE: Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur
Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including
the SPARC club repeater for the Sportsman's Paradise Amateur Radio
Club, K4WAK, in Wakulla County, Florida in time for the Friday
afternoon commute.
**
TRYING TIMES IN THE ANTARCTIC
[ANCHOR/DON:] Commemorating the 100th anniversary of the World War I
landing at Gallipoli has been something of a battle itself for the ham
radio station operating out of the Antarctic. Amateur Radio Newsline's
Graham Kemp, VK4BB, reports:
[GRAHAM'S REPORT]: Sunday, November 22 could be the day - or maybe not
the day - for the return to the air of V-I-ZERO-ANZAC from Casey Base
in the Antarctic. The station's plan to get on the air has been, like
the weather itself, highly changeable. In fact, blame the weather for
an earlier postponement that kept the station silent until the weekend
of Aug. 29 and 30.
V-I-ZERO-ANZAC, part of the ANZAC 100 program of the Wireless Institute
of Australia, is marking the centennial of the landing at Gallipoli,
Turkey of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. But four
generations later, the greater battle has been with blizzard conditions
and poor propagation that has challenged operator Doug McVeigh,
VK-ZERO-DMV. Getting on the air in August with a 50-watt transceiver, a
dipole and a lot of ambition and hope, McVeigh logged only 56 contacts.
Still, the station intends to prove itself to be a stormtrooper of
quite another sort, especially in this kind of storm. So at 0200 UTC on
Sunday, Nov. 22, he intends try again, beginning on 14.250 MHz. Or
perhaps on some other band. Or then again, not at all. But anything is
possible, including contact with hams around the world. If you happen
to be one of them, send QSL cards via the bureau or using eQSL. McVeigh
is hoping this time for a blizzard of contacts instead. For Amateur
Radio Newsline, I'm Graham Kemp, VK4BB, of the WIA News in Australia.
(SOUTHGATE ARC, ARRL, QRZ)
**
WINTER FIELD DAY: GETTING IT DOWN COLD
The snow is expected to be somewhat gentler and less of a problem in
other parts of the world for participants in Winter Field Day, which is
just weeks away. The Winter Field Day Association has announced the
annual event will be held the weekend of Jan. 30 and Jan. 31, 2016.
The event's website says it all, declaring: QUOTE"We believe, as do
those entities of ARRL Organizations like ARES and RACES that
maintaining your operational skills should not be limited to fair
weather scenarios."ENDQUOTE
As with the annual summer Field Day, the outreach on the air will be a
worldwide effort. The goal is to encourage emergency preparedness under
winter conditions. All modes may be used and all bands, except for 12,
17, 30 and 60.
For additional details on how to prepare for the event, visit the
website, www.winterfieldday.com And dress warmly.
**
OREGON ARES OUSTER
Oregon's Office of Emergency Management has severed its ties with the
head of the Oregon Amateur Radio Emergency Service - but not the
emergency group itself.
According to published reports, the ARES chief, Vince Van Der Hyde,
K7VV, had asked that the group's volunteers not take part in a Nov. 12
emergency drill the state had planned because he found the state's
equipment, and its advance notice to volunteers, insufficient. That
action apparently is what caused the split.
Despite the rift between Van Der Hyde and the state, the ARRL's Oregon
Section Manager, Everett Curry, W6ABM, has since confirmed that Oregon
ARES/RACES will still work with the state's Office of Emergency
Management. On Nov. 16, a statement from the OOEM/ARRL Oregon Section
stressed that emergency management's relationship with Oregon
ARES/RACES continues.
(ARRL)
**
THE WORLD OF DX
If all you want for Christmas DXing this year is a Special Event
holiday QSL card from the Netherlands, Dutch amateur Raymond Smit,
PD7DX can help. He's working Special Event Station PD15XMAS from
December 5 through January 1, in the spirit of the holiday. He will be
active on 7, 14 and 28 MHz on HF as well as 2 meters and 440 MHz.
Elsewhere, Daniel, DL5YWM, is working in Crete as SV9/DL5YWM until
November 25. QSL to his home call sign.
In Liberia, Donald, EL2DW is working from Monrovia until December 17
and can be found on 20, 15 and 10 meters using SSB. QSL via KD4UDU in
Florida
Peter, DL1RPL, and Soren, DL3RKS, are activating two Indian Ocean
islands. They will be on Mayotte Island through Nov. 25, working as
FH/DL1RPL and FH/DL3RKS, respectively. Beginning Nov. 27 and through
Dec. 3, they will be on Reunion Island, active as FR/DL1RPL and
FR/DL3RKS. They will operate on the HF bands, 20 through 10 meters,
mostly on CW, with some SSB. Peter will also operate on 2m and 440
bands EME using WSJT65 and CW. Send QSL cards via DL1RPL.
And a few stations will be marking the 90th anniversary of the IARU
with special stations: Special event station JT90IARU will be working
from Mongolia until the end of 2015. QSL via JT1KAA.
Likewise, members of the Malta Amateur Radio League are working as
9H90IARU. QSL via 9H1SP. And special event station EV90IARU is in
Belarus. QSL direct via EW1I. Finally, members of the Radio Club
D'Haiti are working as HH90IARU. QSL via operators' instructions.
**
KICKER:
We close this newscast with the words of a radio pioneer, speaking
eloquently to us from the past: Nobel-prize winner Guglielmo Marconi
was visiting Sydney, Australia on Dec. 14, 1935, when he said at a
public ceremony:
QUOTE "It is indeed gratifying to me to know that the people of
Australia appreciate the extent to which wireless has figured in their
prosperity, for I firmly believe that without economical and efficient
long-distance communications, no country can make much
headway."ENDQUOTE
Marconi, of course, had made headway himself in 1901, sending radio
waves across the Atlantic, shaping the future of communications. Then
in 1918, he oversaw the first direct wireless message from England to
Australia - a message received in Sydney by wireless engineer Ernest
Fisk. Marconi ultimately came to Australia in 1935 when a monument was
unveiled there, and that is where he made his speech.
Now you can hear Marconi for yourself. The Essex Record Office in the
UK obtained a recording of Marconi and recently released it on the
website, soundcloud.com
Marconi's message, of course, is now being carried by another form of
communication - and not the kind he originally had in mind. But the
visionary, who believed in making headway and progress, likely wouldn't
be put off by the Internet because, like radio itself, it still
delivers.
(SOUTHGATE, BIOGRAPHY.COM, ARRL)
**
NEWSCAST CLOSE With thanks to Alan Labs; AMSAT; the ARRL;
Biography.com; CQ Magazine; Hap Holly and the Rain Report; The Irish
Radio Transmitter Society; the Ohio-Penn DX Newsletter; QRZNOW;
Southgate Amateur Radio News; TWiT TV; Winter Field Day; 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 and as always we thank you for listening.
Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) is Copyright 2015. All rights reserved.