PEI AMATEUR HONORED FOR LIGHTHOUSE ACTIVITY

NEIL/ANCHOR: Congratulations to George Dewar, VY2GF, of Prince Edward
Island, Canada, on being chosen Activator of the Year for 2022 by the
Amateur Radio Lighthouse Society. George is being celebrated for his
numerous activations at the region's lighthouses, and for promoting
the activity in the media.

Society president John Huggins, KX4O and Tim Hijazi, KB3K, said that
George was selected for having [quote] "set a high bar, not just with
quantity of lighthouse activations and logged QSOs, but equally with
quality." [endquote].

All the best, George!

**

A SPACE JOURNEY OF EXPLORATION

NEIL/ANCHOR: Amateur radio communication is just one part of the
outer-space experience one ISS astronaut is sharing through a new
website. Here's John Williams, VK2JJW, with that report.

JOHN: The website is known as ELF in Space, and it has been created
by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre in Dubai and the Emirates
Literature Foundation as a communications tool about technology, and
the space programme.

It features Sultan Al Neyadi, KI5VTV, the second astronaut from the
United Arab Emirates. The communications engineer is on board the ISS
for the longest Arab space mission to date. The website's debut was
announced on March 10th. Al Neyadi is giving its visitors a window
into his six-month experience on board the International Space station.
His is not the only voice to be heard. There will be input from some
very terrestrial voices, such as authors and space experts. Other UAE astronauts such as Hazzaa Al Mansoori, and Nora Al Matrooshi, will
join him.

The website has a strong tie-in to the classroom experience, and each
week, new topics will be released, discussing the challenges and
discoveries of space travel. There are also classrooom-based activities
for educators to download for their students.

As part of a 20-week learning programme, students around the world will
watch each episode as it is released with subtitles.

A link to the first episode is in the text version of this week's
newscast at arnewsline.org

This is John Williams, VK4JJW.

[DO NOT READ: https://elfinspace.ae/exercise-in-space/ ]

(GULF NEWS, WIA, MOHAMMED BIN RASHID SPACE CENTRE)

**

AUTISM AWARENESS SPECIAL EVENT BEGINS

NEIL/ANCHOR: Just a reminder that the worldwide special event for Autism Awareness is on the air March 25th through April 2nd, sponsored by the Ten Mile River Scout Camp Amateur Radio Club. Listen for call signs from an international team of operators including W2A, GB2AA, GB2AAW, GB0AAW,
8A0RARI, 4X0AAW, HI0AUT, S76A, and VC2AA.

(QRZ.COM)

**

GETTING TO THE HEART OF THE SUN

NEIL/ANCHOR: Scientists have found the source of a mysterious radio signal from the sun that sounds curiously like a heartbeat. Kent Peterson, KC0DGY, takes the pulse of this remarkable research.

KENT: When a recent C-class solar flare more than 5,000 kilometers above
the sun sent out a radio signal in a heartbeat-like pattern, scientists
began work to unlock the reason behind it. The international team went in search of the origin of this pattern, known as a quasi-periodic pulsation,
or QPP.

Studying observations captured in 2017 by a radio telescope in California
that detects microwave frequencies, the researchers began studying a heartbeat-like pattern that repeated every 10 to 20 seconds. Then they unearthed something unexpected: a secondary signal, which was weaker and
could be discerned every 30 to 60 seconds.

According to their recently published study, they have been able to
determine that the so-called heartbeats are triggered by disruptions
known as "magnetic islands", which form in sheets of rapidly moving
plasma from the sun.

At the heart of the matter is what this research may ultimately reveal: Writing in the journal Nature Communications, one researcher said the
answer was key to a fuller understanding of the scope of the damage that
solar storms can do when their energy is released.

This is Kent Peterson, KC0DGY.

(NEW JERSEY INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, SCI TECH DAILY)
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (316:36/20)

RADIO WAVES LEAD TO DISCOVERY OF NEW EXOPLANET

DON/ANCHOR: Radio waves have led astronomers to an exoplanet - a planet
beyond our solar system - and it's likely the same size as Earth. Dave
Parks, WB8ODF, gives us the details.

DAVE: Repeating radio signals have led astronomers to a rocky exoplanet
that is the same size as our own Earth and, like the Earth, it orbits a
star -- one known as YZ Ceti. Further studies of the signal suggest that
the planet may also have an atmosphere and a magnetic field. Writing in a recent issue of the journal, Nature Astronomy, the researchers have named
the planet YZ Ceti b. The scientists say that the magnetic field's interactions with the star are the likely cause of the radio signals.

The signals were picked up in New Mexico by the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array of telescopes. The star and exoplanet are 12 light-years away from Earth.

Of course, this is not the first finding of its kind. Last year, the
James Webb Space Telescope discovered its first exoplanet which is also believed to be rocky and almost as big as the Earth. That planet, called
LHS 475b, is 41 light years away. The research team, which announced the discovery this past January, is trying to learn more about the star it
orbits and whether the planet has an atmosphere. That work is set to be
done this summer.

This is Dave Parks, WB8ODF.

(CNN, JENNY TUPPER, NASA)

**

ISS ASTRONAUT TO SET NEW SPACE RECORD

DON/ANCHOR: A new record is about to be set in space by an ISS astronaut.
We hear more about him from Paul Braun, WD9GCO.

PAUL: NASA astronaut Mark Vande Hei, KG5GNP, won't be a record-holder for
much longer. He made news after logging the most days in space for a US astronaut -- 355 days -- aboard the International Space Station in 2022.
Now, NASA astronaut Frank Rubio is right behind him and gaining. He's
been on the ISS since September 21, 2022 and his mission has grown beyond
its original six months. He's now scheduled to leave aboard a Russian
Soyuz spacecraft by September 27th, meaning his 371 days will eclipse the
one set by Vande Hei. However, even with that accomplishment, he will
still be leaving the world record intact. That was set by the late
Russian cosmonaut Valeri Polyakov, who logged an unprecedented 437 days
aboard Russia's Mir space station in 1994 and 1995. The cosmonaut died
last year at age 80.

This is Paul Braun, WD9GCO.

(SPACE.COM)

**

GIVING AMATEUR RADIO A GOOD RIDE IN AUSTRALIA

DON/ANCHOR: In Melbourne, Australia, one ham whose love for his bicycle
rivals his love for his radio is giving them both a good ride. Here's
more about him from Graham Kemp, VK4BB.

GRAHAM: As a bicycle enthusiast and ham, Stuart, VK3UAO, is accustomed to doing things his own way. As a machinist, he fabricates many of his own
parts to be used with his radio equipment. As a ham, he carves out his
own trail to destinations for portable operating. He is presently riding
his bicycle from Melbourne to the Pilliga park-fest, pedaling his way on
a journey of more than 1,000 km over the course of three weeks. He has
his portable shack in his backpack.

The park fest will be held between April 29th and 30th, and he hopes his
route there will include as many park activations as possible.

The park fest itself is a modest-sized gathering of hams with an
enthusiasm for fellowship and the outdoors. So there is certain to be
even more operating once he arrives.

Meanwhile, if you're interested in his journey but would rather not try
it out yourself on a bicycle of your own, you can ride along with Stuart. Visit his page on QRZ.com, which offers a link to his APRS tracking --
and be listening for him on the air.

This is Graham Kemp, VK4BB.

(WIA, QRZ)

**

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the W8WKY repeater
in Doylestown, Ohio, on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. local time, right before the weekly SARA net at 8 p.m.
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (316:36/20)

INDIAN RESEARCHERS DEVELOP MICRO-SUPERCAPACITOR

PAUL/ANCHOR: When it comes to super-capacitors, scientists in India are calling their new development the smallest-of-the-small. We hear about it
from Jason Daniels, VK2LAW.

JASON: Scientists in India say that they have created the smallest micro- supercapacitor to date, developing it out of two-dimensional materials: graphene and molybdenum disulfide. This is considered significant because
as electronic devices continue to shrink - as is the case with wearable sensors and smart devices - their energy storage devices must be just as small. Supercapacitors are considered ideal for this task because they
not only store energy but can handle the kind of rapid charge-discharge
cycles beyond the ability of conventional chemical batteries.

Misra said that she and her colleagues used two-dimensional materials for
the ultramicro-supercapacitor because they are semiconductors. Each of
the multi-layer electrodes acts as a field-effect transistor.

She told the IEEE Spectrum that the tiny device has a remarkably high capacitance and an easy ability to integrate with electronic chips
because of its use of a gel electrolyte instead of a liquid.

The researchers are not stopping there, however. Their next challenge is
to create devices out of other two-dimensional materials in an attempt to boost capacitance even further.

This is Jason Daniels, VK2LAW.

(IEEE SPECTRUM)

**

SILENT KEY: CALGARY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATOR JASON LOW, VE6SRT

PAUL/ANCHOR: Hams in the amateur radio community - and the community-at-
large - in Calgary, Alberta, are grieving the loss of a devoted public servant. Here's Andy Morrison, K9AWM, to tell us about him.

ANDY: It is difficult for those who knew him to imagine the emergency communications community without Jason Low, VE6SRT, being there. Jason
had served Redwood Meadows Emergency Services in Calgary as a
firefighter, EMT and fire communications officer. Jason became a Silent
Key unexpectedly on April 15th.

According to the Redwood Meadows Emergency Services website, Jason could
not be revived despite the best efforts of his colleagues and emergency medical personnel. Chief Rob Evans wrote on the website that the team was "devastated."

According to Vince d'Eon, VE6LK, and Ian Burgess, VA6EMS, Jason - known
to everyone as Jay - worked tirelessly to ensure the quality of emergency communications and shared his expertise in radio as well as the computer dispatch system.

Ian told Newsline that Jay was a lifelong radio enthusiast who was
introduced early on to the hobby by his scanner. He later got his ham
license and used his skills to help communities in the Calgary area
connect to the fire department's dispatch.

Vince wrote in an email: [quote] "Jay was generous with his time and expertise, offering solutions across the province, the country, and the continent. There is no way to know how many people were safer and better
cared for thanks to Jason." [endquote]

Jay was 50.

This is Andy Morrison, K9AWM.

(VINCE D'EON, VE6LK; IAN BURGESS, VA6EMS)

**

SILENT KEY: STEVE SZABO, WB4OMM

PAUL/ANCHOR: Amateurs in the Florida community and beyond are mourning
the death of a leader and an Elmer whose deep involvement in ham radio
touched many lives over the years. We hear about him from Kevin Trotman,
N5PRE.

KEVIN: Well-known for his enthusiasm for QRP, Steve Szabo, WB4OMM, served
as a powerful influence on the many amateurs he knew personally or had
come to know on the air. Steve, a past president of the North American
QRP CW Club, became a Silent Key on April 23rd. He had been diagnosed
with lung cancer.

His involvement with amateurs ran deep throughout his years on the air.
He was a Life Member of the AARL, which he served as a volunteer examiner
and QSL card checker and he had been Northern Florida Section Manager for
four years. Steve also belonged to the Quarter Century Wireless
Association, and numerous local and national clubs, including the Dayton
Beach Amateur Radio Association, where he held numerous leadership roles. According to a post by Kevin, KK4BFN on QRZ.com, Steve started the
Daytona Beach CERT Amateur Radio Team Group in 2005 and served as its president until illness earlier this year compelled him to step down.

Steve was 70.

This is Kevin Trotman, N5PRE.

(QRZ, WB4OMM WEBSITE, DIGNITY MEMORIAL)

**

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world including the AH6LE repeater
in Beavercreek and Wilsonville, Oregon, on Sundays at 6 p.m. local time.
--- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (316:36/9)

GRANT FUNDS STUDENT COURSE ON SPECTRUM AT OBSERVATORY

JIM/ANCHOR: The National Radio Astronomy Observatory in Green Bank, West Virginia, is offering a select group of young students an opportunity to
study the electromagnetic spectrum, as we hear from Sel Embee, KB3TZD.

SEL: Twenty science-minded students between the ages of 18 and 20 are
being given an opportunity to enroll in an intensive course about the electromagnetic spectrum being hosted by the National Radio Astronomy Observatory in Green Bank, West Virginia. This is the second year the observatory has conducted the course, which begins in September of this
year and runs through May of 2024. The program is being overseen by the observatory's director of Diversity & Inclusion and is funded by a grant
from Amateur Radio Digital Communications. A special effort is being made
to find enrollees who are Black, indigenous or people of color as well as students from the LGBTQIA community who wish to gain experience,
particularly as it applies to amateur radio and any future careers in
science, technology, engineering and math. Students accepted into the 40-
week program will receive a stipend of $4,000.

Lyndele von Schill, director of Diversity & Inclusion, can be reached for questions at her email address at lvonschi@nrao.edu

The observatory is a facility of the National Science Foundation.

This is Sel Embee, KB3TZD.

(ARDC)

**

SILENT KEY: JOHN KNIPPING, AA9KC, OF THE 'FREEWHEELERS NET' ON 80M

JIM/ANCHOR: A founding member of a popular net that is a fixture on 80m
has become a Silent Key. We hear about him from Kevin Trotman, N5PRE.

KEVIN: John Knipping, AA9KC, was one of the original "Freewheelers" on
3916 kHz. In November of 1998 he answered a call put out by Ken Odom,
W4FCW, on 3916 kHz and out of that early QSO bloomed a friendship and ultimately a popular net where everyone was welcome.

John became a Silent Key on April 29th at the age of 92.

According to his online obituary he was a Korean War veteran, a musician
and a member of the Egyptian Radio Club.

The tradition of easy camaraderie lives on, however: The net continues
making new friends and welcoming old ones every night on 80m, starting at
10 pm Eastern Time.

This is Kevin Trotman, N5PRE.

(LEGACY.COM, 3916 FREEWHEELERS NET)

**

JOIN US AT THE NEWSLINE "TOWN HALL FORUM" IN DAYTON

JIM/ANCHOR: Just a reminder to our listeners that there's more to Amateur Radio Newsline this month than just this newscast. If you're going to
Xenia, Ohio for Hamvention, be sure to stop in Forum Room 2 on Friday, May 19th, starting at 11:35 a.m. local time. The popular Town Hall forum is
back after many years, and we have three guests. Riley Hollingsworth,
K4ZDH, will take questions about the ARRL Volunteer Monitor Program. IARU President Tim Ellam, VE6SH, will discuss issues facing the IARU that
affect amateurs worldwide -- and Mark Smith, N6MTS, will take questions
about a proposal to standardize headset connectors for interoperability.
Come along and join us!

**

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard in bulletin stations around the world including the shortwave
broadcast station of shortwaveradio.de in Lower Saxony, Germany on 6160
kHz AM. The station's European summer schedule will be 07:00 to 17:00 UTC
on weekends, 15:00 to 17:00 UTC Monday to Friday. Broadcasts can also be
heard from 17:00 to 23:00 UTC daily on 3975 kHz AM.
--- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (316:36/9)

BILL REINTRODUCED TO PROPOSE HF DIGITAL CHANGES

DON/ANCHOR: In the United States, an Arizona lawmaker has renewed hope
for changing what many consider outdated rules by the FCC for digital communications. Sel Embee, KB3TZD, has those details.

SEL: A bandwidth limit would replace symbol rate limit for HF digital operations under a bill known as the Amateur Radio Communications
Improvement Act. The bill was introduced on May 11 by Arizona
congresswoman Debbie Lesko, a Republican, and is similar to a bill she
had introduced last year, hoping to update rules by the FCC that focus on symbol rates. The bill, which is now in the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, would set a bandwidth limit of 2.8 kHz instead. US advocates of
the bill, including the ARRL, have long argued that a bandwidth limit was necessary because of crowded conditions on the HF bands. They have been concerned that protocols might be developed in the future that would
possess wider bandwidth protocols than necessary.

The lawmaker said in a statement that updating the rules to accommodate
modern technology is especially important in times of natural disasters,
such as forest fires, floods and hurricanes, when messages need to be
sent and received efficiently. Faster protocols already accomplish this
in other countries.

This is Sel Embee, KB3TZD.

(ARRL, REP. DEBBIE LESKO)

**

FORMER FCC CHAIRMAN NEWTON MINOW DIES AT 97

DON/ANCHOR: Newton Minow, who had been appointed chairman of the Federal Communications Commission by President John F. Kennedy in the 1960s, has
died. The attorney, who was a vocal critic of the emerging content of broadcast television in the US, died Saturday, May 6th, at the age of 97.
He was also well-known as an advocate of the US space program. It was
during his tenure in 1962 that the world saw NASA's launch of Telstar 1,
the first communications satellite, developed by the American Telephone
and Telegraph Company, better known as AT&T.

(NPR)

**

POPULAR SATELLITE DECAYS FROM ORBIT

DON/ANCHOR: A popular ham radio satellite launched a little less than
eight years ago from China has left its orbit. Stephen Kinford, N8WB,
brings us that report.

STEPHEN: Satellite enthusiasts have one fewer satellite to rely on now.
The orbit has decayed for the popular linear transponder satellite known
as XW-2A. The satellite was sent into space in September of 2015 from
China's Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center. The satellite does not leave
space without sharing a little bit of glory: In August of 2022, two
amateurs used XW-2A to achieve communication over a record distance for
the 25 kg microsat. It was a transatlantic QSO between EA4NF in Spain and VE1CWJ in Nova Scotia, a memorable distance of 4,751 km.

This is Stephen Kinford, N8WB.

(AMSAT NEWS SERVICE, CAMSAT)

**

HAMS, START YOUR ENGINES FOR THE BIG RACE

DON/ANCHOR: Hams, start your engines. A big race - and a big special
event station - is getting under way in Indianapolis, Indiana. Jack
Parker, W8ISH, has the details.

JACK: Now that the dust has settled from the Indy Grand Prix race,
members of the W9IMS Special Event Station are gearing up for another
week of logging contacts leading up to the 107th running of the
Indianapolis 500 Mile Race, beginning May 22nd.

This is the 20th year for the W9IMS team to reach out and let ham radio operators be a part of the racing season in Indianapolis. For two
decades, they have logged over fifteen thousand contacts a year for the
three race series at Indy. That is a lot of QSL cards.

Check the W9IMS page at QSL.com for more information.

Reporting from Indianapolis, this is Jack Parker, W8ISH.

**

TRY NEWSLINE'S HAIKU CHALLENGE

DON/ANCHOR: If a great QSO feels like poetry to you, you might enjoy this
new challenge from Amateur Radio Newsline. We're inviting listeners to
channel their most creative selves and share the joy of ham radio in the
form of a haiku. On our website, arnewsline.org, you will find a
submission form for sending your most inspired offering. All haikus must follow the traditional form to qualify: The first line is five syllables,
the second line is seven syllables and the finishing third line has
another five syllables.

Our team will pick from the best submissions that follow the 5/7/5
syllable rule and represent the love of amateur radio. Your prize? Glory,
of course! We will share our favorite haiku of the week on the Amateur
Radio Newsline website.

**

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline
heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the AH6LE repeater
on Sundays at 6 p.m. in Beavercreek and Wilsonville Oregon.
--- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (316:36/9)

SILENT KEY: CONTESTER, WRTC 2022 REFEREE RICHARD KING, K5NA

NEIL/ANCHOR: The World Radiosport Team Championship is going forward this summer in Bologna without one of its key referees, who has become a
Silent Key. Graham Kemp, VK4BB, tells us about him.

GRAHAM: The World Radiosport Team Championship Committee is grieving the
loss of a fellow contester and avid DXer from Texas, Richard King, K5NA. Richard had been chosen to be a referee for the WRTC 2022 event in
Bologna in July.

According to a report on the Daily DX, Richard was electrocuted on April
12th while he was assisting another ham taking down a 40-meter antenna.
The report goes on to say: [quote] "Richard jumped in at the last minute
to try and keep the antenna from getting snagged on a guy wire. The
antenna hit a nearby powerline." [endquote] Two nurses who live in the neighborhood began CPR until emergency services could arrive but Richard
died shortly thereafter. He and his wife Susan, K5DU, are well-known as serious contesters and DXers.

WRTC 2022 organisers issued a statement saying "Richard's contributions
to the sport of amateur radio will not be forgotten and his legacy will continue to inspire and guide us in the years to come." Richard belonged
to the Central Texas DX and Contest Club.

This is Graham Kemp, VK4BB.

**

WRTC CHAMPIONS WITHDRAW FROM COMPETITION

NEIL/ANCHOR: Meanwhile, the defending championship team from Lithuania
has announced that they will not defend their title when the World
Radiosport Team Championship goes forward in July.

The international high-profile contest was postponed from last year
because of the pandemic.

The withdrawal announcement by defending championship team members
Gedimas, LY9A, and Mindaugas, LY4L, was posted on the WRTC 2022
Reflector, citing a number of frustrations and deeper differences with
the organisers that they said will be keeping them at home.

(WRTC 2022 REFLECTOR, WRTC WEBSITE)

**

NEW COURSE IN 'LEARNING HOW TO LEARN' CW

NEIL/ANCHOR: A free course in Comprehensive Instant Character Recognition
is being offered by CW Innovations with the goal of helping active CW operators learn ways to increase their proficiency. The 10-week classes
focus on teaching operators how to help themselves learn Morse Code, addressing the mental and emotional roadblocks that have typically halted learners' progress. The class is designed for hams who can currently copy
10 to 15 words per minute, and are already actively on the air having
QSOs. Visit cwinnovations.net for details. The website includes an
application form.

(CWINNOVATIONS.NET)

**

GRANT ALLOWS YOUTH ON THE AIR AMERICAS CAMP TO EXPAND

NEIL/ANCHOR: What's better than having one great summer camp experience
on the air? Having more of it, of course! That's about to become
possible, as we hear from Kevin Trotman, N5PRE.

KEVIN: Just as young amateurs prepare for this summer's Youth on the Air Americas camp in Canada, camp organizers themselves learned that their
summer experience for young hams has received a $125,000 grant from
Amateur Radio Digital Communications. The funds now assure that the camp experience will continue through 2025 and that each session will become
open to more campers than before. The current threshold of 30 will
increase to 50 in the two years ahead. So pack your bags if you're going
this year: Camp starts on July 16th. And if you want to learn more or
plan ahead for next summer, visit youthontheair.org

This is Kevin Trotman, N5PRE.

(ARDC, YOUTH ON THE AIR CAMP)

**

SCIENTIST TEAM EYES EARLIER MAXIMUM FOR SOLAR CYCLE 25

NEIL/ANCHOR: If you've been wishing for solar maximum to come sooner
rather than later in the current cycle, you might just get your wish, according to a group of solar physicists. Patrick Clark, K8TAC, has that story.

PATRICK: The end of this year - or sometime next year, could bring
maximum sunspot activity for Solar Cycle 25, according to Scott McIntosh
of the National Center for Atmospheric Research, in Boulder, Colorado and
a team of solar physicists. The team presents its findings in a paper in
the January edition of Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences.

In the paper, the solar scientists make use of a terminator event during
the previous cycle - sometime in mid-December 2021 - to project the
maxima of Solar Cycle 25 and to forecast the cycle's amplitude.

Although some might project differently for the future, this team
believes it's best to keep your eye on the skies during the fourth
quarter of 2023 and thereafter into the new year.

This is Patrick Clark, K8TAC.

(FRONTIERS IN ASTRONOMY AND SPACE SCIENCES)
--- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (316:36/9)

DAVE KALTER MEMORIAL YOUTH DX ADVENTURE CANCELLED

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: This year's Dave Kalter Memorial Youth Adventure has been cancelled. Organizers at the Dayton Amateur Radio Association said there
was insufficient time for the kind of planning that would have allowed everyone to obtain their necessary passports. No other details were immediately available and there was no indication when the next trip would
be scheduled. This year's DX adventure was to have taken place in Curacao.

The annual trip, which has brought young amateurs to the Dutch Caribbean, Costa Rica and Curacao, is named in memory of Dave, KB8OCP, who became a Silent Key in November of 2013.

(DARA)

**

SILENT KEY: ARGENTINA'S PIONEERING YL, AZUCENA ALBARRACIN, LU9OY

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: A popular, lively voice in amateur radio in Argentina has become a Silent Key. We learn more about her from Graham Kemp, VK4BB.

GRAHAM: In the final year of her life Azucena Albarracin, LU9OY, was no
longer able to be on the air -- but until then, the 95-year-old was a well-known and well-recognised voice in her home country of Argentina, as
well as in Chile and Uruguay. She became a Silent Key on Thursday, the
13th of April at her home.

According to a news article in the YL Beam newsletter, she was an almost constant presence on the air during the last 50 years and many heard her exchanging greetings and information on 20 meters. Her introduction to
amateur radio came during the early 1960s and she embraced operating on
AM. She and another amateur Nelly Lopez, LU5OX, now a Silent Key, were considered pioneers in being the first women amateurs in the region. By
the time she retired as a teacher, she had become a major presence on
sideband where she was well-respected as an operator.

According to the news article, her 90th birthday was a great occasion inspiring amateurs who had worked her from DX locations to travel and
attend the celebration.

This is Graham Kemp, VK4BB.

(YL BEAM)

**

AMSAT PRESIDENT'S CLUB RELEASES COMMEMORATIVE COIN

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: AMSAT supporters who are deepening their commitment to
amateur radio in space by joining the President's Club have a special commemorative coin that says "thank you." We hear more from Neil Rapp,
WB9VPG.

NEIL: The AMSAT President's Club has released its commemorative coins for 2023, with this year's coin marking the 40th anniversary of the launch of
the AMSAT OSCAR 10 satellite. The German amateur radio microsatellite took
to the sky from French Guiana aboard an Ariane 1 rocket on June 16th,
1983. According to the AMSAT-DL website, the star-shaped satellite had an elliptical orbit that made it possible for radio communications of several hours' duration to take place around the world.

Members of the AMSAT President's Club will be receiving the coin along
with other recognition, including mention in the AMSAT Journal. The President's Club is an annual membership organization and each year'S
2-inch metal coin honors a different OSCAR satellite.

Visit amsat.org and look for details about the President's Club.

This is Neil Rapp, WB9VPG.

(AMSAT NEWS SERVICE)

**

NETS OF NOTE: APRS THURSDAY

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: This week, in our occasional series, Nets of Note,
Newsline takes a look at one net that provides an opportunity for all
licensed hams anywhere in the world to learn more about APRS. Patrick
Clark, K8TAC, has that story.

PATRICK: For one very enthusiastic group of amateurs worldwide, every
Thursday is net day. Check-in time on that day between 0000 and 2359 UTC
and ensures that every amateur will receive all APRS net traffic from any stations checking in during the 24-hour period that follows their own check-in.

Organizers call it APRS Thursday, and it's been going strong since
December of last year. The net is conducted over the Announcement server service of KJ4ERJ, and it is managed by Michael, KC8OWL, and Angelo DU2XXR/N2RAC. Angelo, in the Philippines, is also the net manager of a separate net, known as the APRSPH net.

Both Michael and Angelo hope that the Thursday check-ins will increase familiarity with APRS for hams and grow this kind of message activity
around the world.

If you're curious about APRS or want to learn more, you can email Michael
at kc8owl@yahoo.com

This is Patrick Clark, K8TAC.

(APRS NET)

**

NOMINATE NEXT 'YOUNG HAM OF THE YEAR'

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: The deadline is coming up fast for a chance to nominate
your choice for Amateur Radio Newsline's Bill Pasternak Young Ham of the
Year award. Candidates must reside in the continental United States and be
a licensed ham 18 years of age or younger. We are looking for someone who
has talent, promise and a commitment to the spirit of ham radio. Find application forms on our website arnewsline.org under the "YHOTY" tab. Nominations close on May 31st.
--- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (316:36/9)

A SUCCESSFUL HAMVENTION 2023 IS IN THE LOG

NEIL/ANCHOR: This year's Dayton Hamvention was another success, with
several vendors returning after an absence along with some great weather.
The rain was mostly overnight on Friday and caused minimal disruptions.
The main buzz was about 2 new handheld radios being announced, one from
ICOM America and another from JVC/Kenwood who returned to Hamvention after being absent since the start of the pandemic.

2023 Hamvention Amateur of the Year Carsten Dauer, DM9EE, received a
standing ovation in front of a large crowd attending his forum about his
work to house evacuated Ukrainian family members as well as shipping
donated radio gear, power banks, solar panels, and first aid kits for use
to assist operators despite the partial Russian invasion.

Steve Morgan, W4NHO, was recognized with the Spirit of Amateur Radio award
for his work in coordinating disaster relief communications during the
recent Eastern Kentucky flooding. The Voice of America Museum in nearby
West Chester, Ohio, had expanded hours during Hamvention and reported
record attendance of nearly 400 visitors.

The youth socials at the YOTA booth were standing room only. And, many
hams were greeted by the first known live duck to attend Hamvention,
Mochi, accompanied by Junie, N1DUC, who was promoting her new YouTube
channel, and educating people about domesticated ducks.

Finally, 2023 marked the return of our own Newsline Town Hall. Attendees
heard international updates from Tim Ellam, VE6SH, the president of IARU. Riley Hollingsworth, K4ZDH, returned to the town hall to talk about the
ARRL Volunteer Monitoring program, while Mark Smith, N6MTS, proposed a new open headset interconnect standard to assist with group activities and
EMCOMM.

**

US AUTOMAKER WON'T ELIMINATE AM RADIO IN NEW CARS

NEIL/ANCHOR: AM radio isn't quite dead yet among those selling cars in the
US. One carmaker has shifted gears into reverse - literally. Here's Kent Peterson, KC0DGY, with an update.

KENT: In the United States, the Ford Motor Company has reversed an earlier decision to eliminate AM radios in its new cars, trucks and SUVs. The carmaker's announcement was made on Tuesday, May 23rd, on the heels of a bipartisan bill introduced in Washington, D.C., pressing for AM broadcast radio's retention as a public safety measure.

Ford CEO Jim Farley announced on social media that the reversal comes came after discussions with government policy leaders who believe the
elimination of AM broadcast radio in vehicles will cut motorists off from essential emergency alerts transmitted on those frequencies.

The CEO wrote on Twitter that all 2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles would
include AM radio. He added: [quote] "For any owners of Ford's EVs without
AM broadcast capability, we'll offer a software update." [endquote] The
update would restore AM functionality.

The US Federal Communications Commission has also thrown its support
behind the proposed legislation that seeks to halt the trend toward automakers' removal of AM broadcast in US vehicles. The bill, introduced
May 17th, is known as the "AM for Every Vehicle Act." The FCC cannot
regulate what automakers do, but was nonetheless vocal about the value AM radio has to motorists who may need to receive emergency alerts while on
the road.

Other manufacturers, including Volvo, Tesla and BMW, have indicated they
were dropping AM radio from their new electric cars because of
interference between the vehicles' electrical operating systems and the AM broadcast band. The Associated Press did not immediately receive comment
from the other carmakers.

The bill's opponents, including The Alliance for Automotive Innovation,
which represents US automakers, called the AM radio proposal unnecessary.
They said that the US warning system, operated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, can also deliver safety warnings by other means, such
as FM broadcast, satellite and cellular networks.

This is Kent Peterson, KC0DGY.

(ASSOCIATED PRESS, HOUSE.GOV, INSIDE RADIO, VARIETY)

**

EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION RANGE EXPANDS IN SOUTH CAROLINA

NEIL/ANCHOR: Emergency preparedness got a needed boost in South Carolina
and Kevin Trotman, N5PRE, has those details.

KEVIN: Dorchester County, South Carolina is getting ready for hurricane
season on the ground and in the air. High atop a 226-foot tower, members
of the county's emergency management office have been installing an
antenna system that will allow the county's amateur radio response team a wider communication range with first responders during emergencies. The
hams are members of DART, or the Dorchester Amateur Radio Team.

County officials told the local CBS TV station that the installation is designed to close a communications gap between Columbia and as far away as Charleston, South Carolina - a need that became apparent after Hurricane
Ian struck the region last autumn. As storm season approaches again, the emergency management office is supplementing this antenna work high in the
air by taking on some serious training on the ground. Emergency officials
will soon be teaching classes to help get more volunteers prepared for
their amateur radio technician license.

This is Kevin Trotman, N5PRE.

(NEWS2)
--- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (316:36/9)

HAMS CLAIM DISTANCE RECORD FOR SATELLITE

JIM/ANCHOR: Two satellite enthusiasts recently logged a contact that they
claim has set a new record. Neil Rapp, WB9VPG, brings us more.

NEIL: Two satellite enthusiasts are claiming a new QSO distance record
with the SO-50 satellite in a May 24th contact that covered 5,584 km -
the distance between Michigan and Northern Ireland.

Joe, KE9AJ, notes on his QRZ.com page that he has long had a particular enthusiasm for extreme distance satellite QSOs. He and George, M0ILE,
were able to log one another, and claim bragging rights to having beaten
the previous record by 61 km. That record was set in 2018 by Jerome,
F4DXV, and Scott, N1AIA, between France and Maine.

This is Neil Rapp, WB9VPG.

(AMATEUR RADIO DAILY, AMSAT)

**

SILENT KEY: HALL OF FAME MEMBER, CONTESTER, CHIP MARGELLI, K7JA

JIM/ANCHOR: The amateur radio community has been shaken by the loss of
someone who was a familiar face, a familiar voice, and a friend to
many -- including those of us at Amateur Radio Newsline. Chip Margelli,
K7JA, has become a Silent Key. We hear more about him from Don Wilbanks,
AE5DW.

DON: Chip Margelli, K7JA, was many things to many of us: A top-notch
contester in numerous ARRL and CQ magazine competitions; a Silver
Medalist at the 1990 World Radiosport Team Championship; and a polished operator of CW, who was admitted into the First-Class CW Operators' Club.
Chip, who became a Silent Key on May 25th, even achieved national
notoriety outside the amateur radio community, when he appeared on a US
late night talk show, with TV host Jay Leno 2005, in an on-screen rivalry
that pitted his CW proficiency against the speed of the US champion in
fast cell phone text-messaging.

A recipient of the E.T. Krenkel Medal in 2021, Chip was also listed in
the CQ Amateur Radio Hall of Fame. Over the years, he worked for such
companies as Yaesu USA, Heil Sound, Ham Radio Outlet, and for CQ magazine.
He was a personal friend to many of us at Amateur Radio Newsline. Chip
was present in 1986 with Newsline cofounder, and treasured friend, the
late Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, at the first ceremony introducing the Young
Ham of the Year Award, and at subsequent ceremonies at the Huntsville
Hamfest.

Rest well, Chip. You leave many grieving friends behind.

This is Don Wilbanks, AE5DW.

**

RADIO SOCIETY OF GREAT BRITAIN SEEKS EDITOR

JIM/ANCHOR: If you are a member of the Radio Society of Great Britain,
and have strong skills in writing and editing - plus technical knowledge relevant to electronics and amateur radio - this job might just suit you. Jeremy Boot, G4NJH, has the details.

JEREMY: Lee Aldridge, G4EJB, the editor of RadCom Basics, has announced
his retirement later this year, and the RSGB is seeking a replacement.
RadCom basics publishes material focusing on new amateurs, and those who
want to develop greater skills in the fundamentals. A successful
applicant will assign articles, and work with authors in developing them,
and will be responsible for writing additional articles. There are also
editing responsibilities that include handling copy sent in by regular contributors and others.

The RadCom Basics editor reports to RadCom's managing editor. For details
about the job, including salary range being offered, send an email to
radcom at rsgb dot org dot uk. (radcom@rsgb.org.uk)

This is Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

(RSGB)

**

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline,
heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the N5OZG repeater
of the Crescent City Amateur Radio Group in Metairie, Louisiana,
following the net on Sundays at 8 p.m.
--- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (316:36/9)

SILENT KEY: JERRY OWENS, W3GHO, VOICE OF W. PENNSYLVANIA NETS

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: A popular and active voice on the air has gone silent in western Pennsylvania. We hear about him from Randy Sly, W4XJ.

RANDY: A final call went out on Friday, June 2nd, during the Western Pennsylvania Phone Traffic Net for Jerry Owens, W3GHO. It was followed by
a moment of silence. Jerry, a popular longtime presence on many area
nets, became a Silent Key on the morning of Wednesday, May 31st, in
Corry, Pennsylvania.

His enthusiasm and active participation in nets and other activities left their marks everywhere in the region. A licensed ham for 67 years, Jerry
was a member of the Union City Amateur Radio Club and served as net
control station for the Army Military Auxiliary Radio System. He was also active in the National Traffic System, handling Radiogram traffic for the daily Western Pennsylvania Phone Traffic Net on 80 meters.

To those who knew him - or even knew OF him - Jerry was the voice of
Corry, Pennsylvania, serving as the official snow measurer for that city
for the National Weather Service Office in Cleveland, Ohio, just on the
other side of the border between the two states. Weather stories in
newspapers and on TV would often quote his snow statistics.

Jerry had also been deputy radio officer and a net control station representing Erie County, Pennsylvania, in the Western Pennsylvania PEMA
ACS RACES Net. His other net control duties included the Western
Pennsylvania Health and Wellness Net on weekdays and the Western
Pennsylvania ARES net on Saturdays.

In 1960, he joined the Old Buzzards Amateur Radio Club and was net
control for them on Monday mornings on 80 meters.

His friend, Eddie Misiewicz, KB3YRU, who gave the final call, speaks for
many when he told Newsline [quote] "I will miss him greatly." [endquote]

An Ohio native, Jerry was 85 years old.

This is Randy Sly W4XJ.

(EDDIE MISIEWICZ, KB3YRU)

**

CENTRAL STATES VHF SOCIETY CONFERENCE RETURNS TO ARKANSAS

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: The Central States VHF Society is bringing its annual conference back to Arkansas, where it was held more than two decades ago. Here's Andy Morrison, K9AWM, with that story.

ANDY: Much has changed since the Central States VHF Society last held one
of its annual conferences in Arkansas. That was in 1997, a year in which
tube amplifiers with high-voltage power supplies were still widely used.
It was also before the advent of the WSJT suite of software - or even computers in the shack.

After years of being in other locations, the conference returns to
Arkansas next month. The 55th annual conference meets in Little Rock, and
the agenda, including the technical presentations, will reflect the
changing landscape of VHF operation during the past 26 years.

Organizers are encouraging hams to bring their families with them and has scheduled a variety of family-oriented activities on July 27th, 28th and
29th, even as the board meeting, the business meeting and other VHF-
sessions take place.

Visit the website that appears in the text version of this week's
newscast for information on how to register. The roster of attendees is growing every day.

[for PRINT ONLY: http://2023.csvhfs.org]

This is Andy Morrison, K9AWM.

(AMATEUR RADIO DAILY, CENTRAL STATES VHF SOCIETY)

**

ARRL JOINS PROGRAM TO ENHANCE NATIONAL SAFETY

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: The ARRL has joined a program designed to help in the emergency response during a national crisis. Sel Embee, KB 3 T Zed Dee,
has more.

SEL: Created in 2018 to enhance security and emergency communications in
the United States, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
has welcomed the American Radio Relay League, the ARRL, into its SAFECOM program. The ARRL's involvement ensures that amateur radio will flourish
as a strong presence in the nation's response in times of crisis. Josh Johnston, K-E-5-M-H-V, the ARRL's director of emergency management, said
on the ARRL website that amateur radio's resources will gain even more interoperability with emergency responders and will have a voice in the development of a more comprehensive blueprint for keeping the nation safe
and its communications intact. That includes enhancing the connections
between emergency responders and helping build out the network for the
future.

In making its announcement on Friday, June 2nd, the ARRL said it expects
its new role to bring increased involvement for such groups as ARES, the Amateur Radio Emergency Service, and other ARRL emergency programs.

This is Sel Embee, K-B-3-T-Zed-D.

(CISA, ARRL)
--- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (316:36/9)

SATELLITE QSOS TO FLY HIGH FOR FIELD DAY

PAUL/ANCHOR: In the US and Canada, almost everyone is getting ready for
Field Day - and that includes satellite enthusiasts. We hear about their
plans from Sel Embee, KB3TZD.

SEL: In case you've been wondering, Field Day is for the birds! Once
again, just as the ARRL sponsors the 23-hour exercise known as Field Day
for hams throughout the US and Canada, AMSAT, the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation, takes this test of emergency communications to the skies.
For satellite users, this will be a 27-hour period between 1800 UTC on Saturday the 24th of June through to 2100 UTC on Sunday the 25th.

Satellite users are advised to check the AMSAT status page for what will
be available. AMSAT has said there will be more than 10 transponders and repeaters available during that weekend. FM voice satellites will include SO-50, AO-91, PO-101, the International Space Station and possibly
LilacSat for those in search of bonus points. Ops are advised to be aware
of congestion on FM low earth orbit satellites. The rules set a limit of
one QSO per FM satellite, including the ISS.

The exchange is the traditional ARRL Field Day Exchange.

This is Sel Embee, KB3TZD.

(AMSAT NEWS SERVICE)

**

NEWSLINE'S NEIL RAPP WB9VPG RECEIVES YASME EXCELLENCE AWARD

PAUL/ANCHOR: Newsline is always pleased to share news of radio amateurs
who have received recognition for their contributions to the community.
But we are never more proud than when one of those being honored is a
member of our own team. Neil Rapp, WB9VPG, an anchor and correspondent
for Newsline, has received the Yasme Excellence Award from the Yasme Foundation for his years of work with the next generation of ham radio operators. Neil provided the initial radio club sponsorship for the
Region 2 YOTA camps, which he now serves as manager, providing
administrative assistance for the camps as a nonprofit. He has also
served as manager of Hamvention's Ham Radio 2.0 showcase. The foundation
board of directors issued a statement saying that "recruiting young
operators is key to the survival of amateur radio and his tireless
efforts are appreciated." [endquote] The award consists of an engraved
crystal globe and a cash grant of $500. Neil, we here at Newsline can
only add our own congratulations and sincere appreciation for all that
you do.

(YASME FOUNDATION)

**

HAM RADIO HELPS IN DRAMATIC RESCUE IN IDAHO

PAUL/ANCHOR: In Idaho, amateur radio played a role in the dramatic rescue
of an 80-year-old man in a rocky wilderness region. Dave Parks, WB8ODF,
has the details.

DAVE: Members of Scout Troop 77 from Eagle, Idaho were well-prepared for
their canoeing trip into Hells Canyon just a few weeks ago and took along
a few hand-held radios, a satellite communications device and a ham
radio. They were soon to encounter another adventurer, an 80-year-old
retired judge who had at one time been a Scoutmaster in his home state of Oregon, which borders the canyon. This man was not so prepared: He had
lost his balance while taking photographs in the region and fell 60 feet
down a rocky riverbank on the Snake River, sustaining serious injuries to
his neck, back, ankle and lower leg.

The Scouts were canoeing when they were flagged down by a woman who heard
the calls for help from the man, Eric Valentine, who was in serious pain. Henry Cavanagh, KJ7QJU, used his radio to contact the adults who were
with the other Scouts. Henry's father, Brian, KJ7QJT, an assistant
Scoutmaster and a wilderness first-responder, was among those arriving to
tend to the man. Others arrived and stabilized him while the assistant Scoutmaster reached out to emergency dispatch services from his satellite communicator. Members of the area utility, Idaho Power, were able to help
move the injured man by jet boat to a campground where a helicopter could safely land to transport him to a local hospital.

Returning home to Oregon late last month, Eric was recovering and already planning his next hike. He told the Baker City Herald website, however,
that he will no longer hike alone in Hells Canyon.

This is Dave Parks, WB8ODF.

(SCOUTING MAGAZINE, THE SEATTLE TIMES)

**

TRY NEWSLINE'S HAIKU CHALLENGE

PAUL/ANCHOR: Here's a homebrew challenge for you: Write your own ham
radio haiku! We're inviting listeners to channel their most creative
selves and share the joy of ham radio in the form of a haiku. On our
website, arnewsline.org, you will find a submission form for sending your
most poetic offering. Be sure you follow the traditional form to qualify:
The first line is five syllables, the second line is seven syllables and
the finishing third line has another five syllables. Be sure to follow
that form.

Our team will pick from the best submissions that follow the 5/7/5
syllable rule and represent the love of amateur radio. Your prize? Fame
and glory, of course -- and a featured spot for your haiku on the Amateur Radio Newsline website. Visit our website at arnewsline.org to see this
week's winning haiku.
--- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (316:36/9)