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Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2363 for Friday February 10th, 2023

Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2363 with a release date of Friday February 10th, 2023 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.

The following is a QST. Hams step in as tremors rock Turkey and Syria.
A tough beginning on Bouvet Island -- and one radio repeater devotes
itself to America's big football weekend. All this and more as Amateur
Radio Newsline Report Number 2363 comes your way right now.

**
BILLBOARD CART

**
AMATEUR RADIO RESPONDS TO QUAKE IN TURKEY, SYRIA

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: We begin this week with a developing story. A 7.8
magnitude earthquake shook southern Turkey, northern Syria and
neighboring regions on Monday, February 6th. As the death and casualty
counts continued to rise amid aftershocks, hams deepened their
involvement in emergency response. Jeremy Boot G4NJH gives us the
details Newsline had at production time:

JEREMY: With the death toll well into the thousands and many more
injured in the massive 7.8 magnitude earthquake that shook the region
along the borders of Syria and Turkey, Aziz Sasa, TA1E, president of
IARU member society TRAC, arrived at the disaster area shortly after
6th February. He assisted with frequency coordination for the teams
carrying out search operations. Aziz has been in touch with the IARU
region's emergency communications coordinator Greg Mossop, G0DUB, who
provided additional details to Newsline. Radio has played a pivotal
role here on many levels.

Other nations have also responded. Search and rescue teams from Georgia
and Bosnia-Herzegovina arrived with hams among the group. Romania's
team had no amateurs in theirs but was making use of communications
equipment supplied by one of its amateur radio emergency groups. The
Turkish emergency communications group was on VHF and UHF frequencies
but also making use of 3.777 and 7.092 MHz as needed.

Little was known at the time of writing about the level of response in
Syria. Newsline will continue to follow this developing story.

This is Jeremy Boot G4NJH.

(IARU, GREG MOSSOP, G0DUB)

**

BOUVET ISLAND IS ON THE AIR

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Troublesome weather conditions plagued the Bouvet
Island DXpedition 3Y0J (Three Why Zero Jay) during its first days on
the air, but the camp came through the high winds of February 8th
without issues after it was secured. One member wrote
ondx-world.netthat it was [quote] "the most extreme expedition I've
been to." [endquote]. There were also reports of the callsign being
pirated so those who believe they have worked the island will only know
for sure from the team's uploaded logs on the weekend of February 10th.
While doing the uploads on the boat, they will re-stock their essential
food to enable them to continue the DXpedition for another week. The
team has added two streams of FT8 in fox-hound mode. Chasers were
advised to not work the team on FT8 if they already logged a contact on
CW or SSB. The West Coast pilot station, Rich KE1B, said that the team
has scaled back its expectations in response to its current challenges. Operators had intended to log 200,000 QSOs from the island but
according to Rich [quote] "the team will be lucky to get 20,000 QSOs
instead." [endquote]

(DX-WORLD.NET, 3Y0J.NO)

**

SILENT KEY: ORLANDO'S RAYMOND PAUL RICHARD, W4RPR

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: As Orlando Hamcation was about to get under way in
Florida on Friday, Feb. 10th, the ham radio community there was
grieving one of its leaders and top organizers. We hear those details
from Jack Parker W8ISH.

JACK: Raymond Paul Richard, W4RPR, of Ocala, Florida, grew up in
Michigan where he became an active amateur radio operator at the age of
14. A generous donor and life member of the ARRL, he belonged to its
Maxim Society, a group whose membership comprises ARRL benefactors. At
the time of his death on January 30th at age 65, Ray was serving as
advance ticket chairman for Hamcation, which is also the ARRL's
Southeastern Division Convention.

He was active in the Orlando Amateur Radio Club and had previously
served as its membership chairman. His range of work on behalf of the
club earned him the group's KB4UT Wayne Nelson Amateur of the Year
award in 2019. The award is named for the club's former president who
became a Silent Key in 2001.

This is Jack Parker W8ISH.

(ORLANDO SENTINEL, ARRL NEWSLETTER)

**
PROTOTYPE WIRELESS SYSTEM CALLED 'POWER-FREE'

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Imagine being able to transmit without having to rely
on a battery or some other external power source. Well, a group of
researchers in Washington State did more than imagine it. We hear the
details from Kent Peterson KC0DGY.

KENT: A research team in Washington state has developed a prototype of
wireless communication that enables a signal to be transmitted by
relying on a byproduct of its circuitry's electrical resistance instead
of any external source of power. This new system differs from previous so-called passive wireless and backscatter communication systems
because unlike its predecessors, it does not need to make use of
sunlight, broadcast TV signals or ambient temperature differences to
provide it with power. The electrical resistance it uses instead is
known as "Johnson noise," the name given to the charge that
electrically conductive materials generate within themselves. The
University of Washington prototype, like its predecessors, can function
on very little power. The wireless - and power-free - transmission
occurs through the opening and closing of a switch - a transistor -that connects the antenna to a resistor.

Findings by the university development team were released by the
university and published as well on the Hackaday website and by the
news organization known as The Conversation. The researchers write on
the university website: [quote] "Our system, combined with techniques
for harvesting energy from the environment, could lead to all manner of
devices that transmit data, including tiny sensors and implanted
medical devices, without needing batteries or other power sources.
These include sensors for smart agriculture, electronics implanted in
the body that never need battery changes, better contactless credit
cards and maybe even new ways for satellites to communicate."
[endquote]

This is Kent Peterson KC0DGY.

(UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON, THE CONVERSATION.COM)

**
ARDC REPORTS ON $8 MILLION IN GRANTS GIVEN IN 2022

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Grant money helped amateur radio grow in new directions
last year. Here's a short accounting from Sel Embee, K B 3 T Zed D.

SEL: The private foundation known as Amateur Radio Digital
Communications continued to spread its support for ham radio and
broader communication science and technology during 2022. According to
the annual report released at its community meeting on January 21st,
ARDC distributed 101 grants totaling $8 million last year. It expanded
support across international borders, with 13 percent of that grant
money going to programs outside the United States. Meanwhile, ARDC's
plans for the year ahead include providing funds for 95 scholarships;
thirteen of those will be going to support women who are pursuing
degrees in STEM studies.

ARDC's 2022 survey of 44Net usage drew a response that exceeded its expectations, more than 1700 replies. The system, also known as the
AMPRNet or Amateur Packet Radio Network, is an internet network often
used for scientific and digital purposes.

ARDC also introduced its new technical director. Jon Kemper K-A-6-N-V-Y
came on board at the ARDC in October of 2022. The California amateur
brings a strong background of engineering management experience.

This is Sel Embee KB3TZD.

(ARDC)
**
SKYWARN TEAM OPTS FOR SURPRISE IN NEXT DRILL

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: In Western Pennsylvania, some emergency responders are
in for a big surprise - and that's the whole idea behind their next
exercise. We find out why from Randy Sly W4XJ.

RANDY: As amateur radio operators. we are supposed to plan for
emergencies, but we can never plan on emergencies. That's why such
events as the ARRL Simulated Emergency Tests, or SETs, are good, but participants still know ahead of time when and where an activity will
take place.

So, the Southwest District Skywarn Team Of Western Pennsylvania is
building the element of surprise into their upcoming training exercise. Sometime before the next SET on April 1st, they will have an unexpected
weather exercise initiated by the Pittsburgh National Weather Service
Office. When SKYWARN is activated, they will then be told how serious
the weather event is, whether there is internet or cell service and the
status of power. From then on, spotters will be deployed and begin
their work just as in an actual emergency. Eddie Misiewicz
(Mi-sh�(c)-vitz - short e), KB3YRU, president of the group, told AR
Newsline that the unexpected is always part of a normal activation and
that hams will be better prepared for an actual emergency when their
training begins with "Surprise! This is a test."

This is Randy Sly, W4XJ

**
BREAK HERE: Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur
Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including
the KB9LPP repeater in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin on Saturdays at 9 a.m. and
on Echolink.

**

SOUTH AFRICA PLANS A SOTA CELEBRATION

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Hams in South Africa who activate summits throughout
that country are planning to celebration 20 years of those activations.
Jim Meachen ZL2BHF tells us what they have in mind.

JIM: Activators of Summits On the Air in South Africa are marking 20
years in the programme by urging all participants to either hunt or
activate a summit on the 18th of February. Activators will be posting
their proposed times on the WhatsApp group and Facebook page of
ZS-SOTA. South Africa became part of SOTA on January 1st, 2003 when the
first two summits were activated by Andrew Roos, then using the
callsign ZS1AN. On that day, Andrew, now callsign ZS5U, operated CW
from Lion's Head, SOTA number ZS/WC-058, and MacLear's Beacon, SOTA
number ZS/WC-043.

All hams who participate in the 20th anniversary activity will receive
a commemorative certificate.

This is Jim Meachen ZL2BHF.

(SARL)

**
DEADLINE SET FOR YOTA SUMMER CAMP IN HUNGARY

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Young amateurs hoping to spend part of their summer in
Hungary at YOTA camp have until the end of the month to apply, as we
hear from Jeremy Boot G4NJH.

JEREMY: Young amateurs who live in IARU Region 1 have until the 28trh
of February to apply for Youth on the Air summer camp. The camp will
take place from the 5th to the 12th of August in northwest Hungary,
near the border with Austria and Slovakia. Organisers are advising
prospective campers to get in touch with their local IARU youth
coordinator to learn how to apply. There are spots open for 100
campers. Guest teams will be able to attend from Regions 2 and 3. One
of the main goals of the camp is to train young amateurs to arrange for
youth activities in their home countries and get other young people
interested in amateur radio.

This year is the 11th edition of the camp and it is being operated with
the help of the Hungarian Amateur Radio Society, MRASZ. The IARU Youth
Working Group works closely with youth coordinators to arrange for the
camp to be held. Previous years' camps have been hosted by Bulgaria,
Croatia and South Africa.

Anyone who has questions may write to the organisers at youth at iaru
hyphen r1 dot org. ([email protected]).

This is Jeremy Boot G4NJH.

(YOUNGSTERS ON THE AIR, IARU REGION 1)

**
HAMS HELP LOST MAN RETURN TO FAMILY IN INDIA

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Hams in India who specialize in helping lost family
members get back home recently assisted with just such a reunion.
Here's Graham Kemp VK4BB with that report.

GRAHAM: In India, a man with hearing and speech impairments and a
history of wandering from home when under stress was reunited with his
family with the help of amateur radio operators. The involvement of
amateur radio operators from Kolkata ended a long search by the family
of the 58-year-old man, who turned up at the religious pilgrimage known
as the Gangasagar Mela last month. The mela was held about 100 km south
of Kolkata, which is headquarters to the West Bengal Radio Club whose
hams assist every year to ensure safety and communications at the
pilgrimage. The hams noticed the man was in distress but because of his challenges, they could not communicate successfully with him.

According to local media, he turned out to be from Khammam in the
Indian state of Telangana. Members of the club receive special training
in helping communicate with individuals who may be unable to speak or
in cases where there is a language barrier. The club's secretary,
Ambarish Nag Biswas, VU2JFA, said that the man's responses to certain photographs helped them determine the region where he resides. By late
January, the mystery was solved. The man, who had been moved to living
quarters at a local mission, was successfully identified and his family
was contacted by the police. Ambarish Nag Biswas was able to then
communicate with the man with the help of Ram Mohan Suri, VU2MYH,
director of the National Institute of Amateur Radio, who can speak the
man's language, Telugu. Arrangements were made for his son to retrieve
him and return him home.

Dibas Mondal, VU3ZII, assisted in his transfer back to his family with
the help of the police.

This is Graham Kemp VK4BB.

(TELANGANA TODAY, TIMES OF INDIA).
**

WORLD OF DX

In the World of DX, be listening for the UN Global Service Center
Amateur Radio club, 4U1GSC, using the call sign 4U13FEB for the month
of February. The special call is on the air to promote World Radio Day,
which is marked on the 13th of February. The club is based in Brindisi,
Italy. QSL via 9A2AA, either direct or by the bureau.

Be listening for Alex, K6VHF, who is using the call sign K6VHF/HR9 from
Roatan Island, IOTA number NA-057 until the 15th of February. Alex is
operating FT8, RTTY and some SSB and CW on 80-10 metres. QSL via Club
Log's OQRS, LoTW, or direct to his home call.

Francois, F8DVD, is on the air as TM20AAW from the 10th to the 24th of
February and will participate in the 20th Antarctic Activity Week,
which takes place from the 19th to the 26th of the month. He is
operating from France. QSL via LoTW, or via home call, direct or by the
bureau.

Listen for Bernhard, DL2GAC, who is on the air from the Solomon Islands
until the 8th of May. His call sign is H44MS and he is operating from
Malaita, IOTA number OC-047, until late April. Listen for him on 80-6
metres where he will be using SSB and some FT8. QSL to his home call,
direct or via the bureau. He will upload his log to Club Log and LoTW
when he returns home.

(425 DX NEWS BULLETIN)

**
KICKER: (SUPER)BOWLED OVER BY GMRS RADIO

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: You don't have to be a fan of American football to
appreciate our final story this week. You just need to be a fan of
radio. Here's Ralph Squillace KK6ITB to explain.

RALPH: If you're a fan of American football, you might think all the
excitement would be centered around State Farm Stadium in Glendale,
Arizona. for the big game on Sunday, February 12th. If you're a fan of
radio, however, you know that the Super Bowl isn't the only spot where
the action is. This is the year the NFL - the National Football League
- meets GMRS. The Arizona GMRS Repeater Club decided to open up access
to its General Mobile Radio Service repeater for Super Bowl weekend,
from Friday, February 10th through to Sunday, February 12th. Any and
all licensed GMRS operators who've come to town may use the repeater on
462.550 MHz, which is Channel 15 on many radio models. The tone is
141.3 Hz and the mode is narrow band FM.

President Gary Hefley, whose GMRS call is WQUZ645, told Newsline in an
email that on the weekends the repeater is not customarily open to
non-members. It's where the club holds its general and training nets.
When one of the club's members came up with the idea to open it up for
Super Bowl visitors, the board agreed.

Like more than half of the more than 380 club members, Gary is also an
amateur radio operator. his call sign is K7AZL. Everyone knows that in
GMRS, like amateur radio and football, there are rules. As the club
said in a recent press release: [quote] "This is a family friendly
repeater, so use your best judgment. Even if your team loses."
[endquote]

This is Ralph Squillace KK2ITB.

(GARY HEFLEY, K7AZL; LLOYD COLSTON, KC5FM)

**
NEWSCAST CLOSE - DO YOU HAVE NEWS?

PAUL/ANCHOR: Do you have a piece of Amateur Radio News that you think
Newsline would be interested in? We are not talking about advertising
your club's upcoming hamfest or field day participation, but something
that is out of the ordinary. If so, send us a brief overview via the
contact page at arnewsline.org. If it's newsworthy and we would like to
cover it, we'll get back to you for more details.

NEWSCAST CLOSE: With thanks to Amateur Radio Weekly; Amateur Radio
Digital Communications; the ARRL; the Austin Chronicle; CQ magazine;
David Behar K7DB; DX-World.net; Eddie Misiewicz, KB3YRU; FCC; 425 DX
News; Gary Hefley, K7AZL; Greg Mossop, G0DUB; Hackaday; IARU Region 1;
John VE1CWJ; Lloyd Colston, KC5FM; the Quarter Century Wireless
Association; Radio World; shortwaveradio.de; Steve Wright, EI5DD;
William Franzin, VE4VR; Wireless Institute of Australia; WPSD Local 6;
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 that we appreciate you all. We also remind our listeners that if you like our newscast, please leave us a 5-star
rating wherever you subscribe to us. For now, with Caryn Eve Murray
KD2GUT at the news desk in New York, and our news team worldwide, I'm
Stephen Kinford N8WB in Wadsworth Ohio saying 73. As always we thank
you for listening. Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) is Copyright 2023. All
rights reserved.

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