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Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2487 for Friday, June 27th, 2025
Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2487 with a release date of Friday, June 27th, 2025 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1
The following is a QST. A mobile cellular service provider applies to use ham radio frequencies for its
satellites. LogBook of the World goes offline for upgrades - and mystery signals are heard from The Great
Beyond. All this and more as Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2487 comes your way right now.
**
**
MOBILE BROADBAND PROVIDER SEEKS AMATEUR FREQUENCIES FOR SATELLITES
PAUL/ANCHOR: Our top story takes us this week to Washington, D.C. where the Federal Communications Commission
has received a request from the 5G broadband service provider AST SpaceMobile to modify its license so that it
can transmit on the portion of the 70cm band used by amateur radio. The Texas-based company is seeking the
frequencies between 430 and 440 MHz for telemetry, tracking, and telecommand between ground stations and its
satellites. At the same time, the company is seeking FCC approval for its operation of 248 low-earth orbit,
non-geostationary satellites. It is presently licensed for five.
The company's request to use the 70cm band is not insignificant: In 2023, the German regulator, BNetzA
[pronounced: BEE NETS EH] ordered AST SpaceMobile to shut its operations when in range of the country, citing
harmful interference that violated ITU regulations. In March of 2024, the company said it had "updated" its
constellation's filings with the ITU and the FCC. It also reduced some of its power levels and changed the
heights of its orbits, according to the Advanced Television website.
AST SpaceMobile is a rival of SpaceX, which operates the StarLink satellite constellation, which is testing
direct-to-cell with T-Mobile.
Earlier this year AT&T and AST SpaceMobile received FCC permission to test direct-to-cellular satellite
Public comments are due by July 21st.
For a link to the filing, see the text version of this week's newscast at arnewsline.org
[DO NOT READ: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-25-532A1.pdf ]
(FCC, ADVANCED TELEVISION, ZERO RETRIES NEWSLETTER)
**
LOGBOOK OF THE WORLD GOES OFFLINE FOR UPGRADES
PAUL/ANCHOR: The ARRL has been busy with much more than Field Day. In fact, just as Field Day gets under way,
Logbook of the World will be moving to a cloud-computing platform and getting some technical upgrades. Jack
Parker W8ISH has those details.
JACK: Just as hams were making their final preparations for ARRL Field Day here in the US and in Canada, the
ARRL was scheduling downtime for Logbook of the World, beginning on June 27th. The ARRL called the process part
of the [quote] "ongoing modernization of the ARRL systems infrastructure." [endquote] When completed, the
system is to be fully operational on the cloud. The ARRL said the move will ensure that users are protected
from physical and network-based security risks.
The last major service disruption for LoTW was last year, when it was one of several ARRL services that were
compromised by a ransomware attack. The ARRL announced its return to service not quite two months later, on
July 1st.
In making the announcement of this year's upgrade, CEO David Minster, NA2AA said on the ARRL website that LoTW
would return to full online operations on the 2nd of July -- or sooner, if possible.
This is Jack Parker W8ISH.
(ARRL)
**
SATELLITE PAINT EXPERIMENT TACKLES 'LIGHT POLLUTION'
PAUL/ANCHOR: The paint that BMW used six years ago on one of its cars as an experiment, is now being looked at
as a way to reduce light-pollution from satellites that has been plaguing radioastronomers. Randy Sly W4XJ has
RANDY: What is blacker than black? It's the super black paint known as Vantablack and its creator, Surrey
NanoSystems, designed it to absorb 98 percent of light. BMW tested it out on one of its crossover model X6 cars
just as an experiment in 2019. According to Space.com, the paint reflects only 2 percent of visible and
Now AMSAT-UK is preparing to launch Vantablack on its Jovian-1 CubeSat mission to test its ability to avoid
interference with space telescopes. The Jovian-1 goes into space sometime next year. Attendees at this year's
AMSAT-UK Colloquium in October can expect to learn more about this adventure in light-pollution reduction.
Meanwhile if things work out, Vantablack might provide a solution for the private satellite constellations that
researchers say have been interfering with ground-based astronomical research. As more satellites are being
sent into space, that's not insignificant to observatories here on the ground
(LIVESCIENCE, SPACE.COM, AMATEUR RADIO DAILY)
**
UNHEARD-OF DATA SPEED REPORTED FROM CHINESE SATELLITES
PAUL/ANCHOR: Scientists in China are claiming they have achieved unprecedented speed in sending data from
satellites - using low-power laser. Jim Meachen ZL2BHF has that story.
JIM: In a development that some observers say could someday replace satellites' reliance on RF, scientists in
China are claiming that they have developed a transmission method using minimal laser power. The method is
known as "AO-MDR synergy" and utilises a 2-watt laser. Scientists at Peking University and the Chinese Academy
of Sciences have said that by employing this technique, they recently accomplished a 1 Gigabit-per-second data
transmission to Earth from a geostationary satellite.
Researchers praise the development, adding that it addresses a common challenge for satellite downlinks - the
distortion caused by atmospheric turbulence. The developers of the process said that "AO-MDR" addresses this by
stabilizing the laser signal even when it faces atmospheric turbulence. The technique combines Adaptive Optics
and Mode Diversity Reception.
This is Jim Meachen ZL2BHF.
(MSN, INTERESTING ENGINEERING)
**
FROM THE BBC, FOR ANTARCTICA'S EARS ONLY
PAUL/ANCHOR: Scientists on the frozen Antarctic continent got a good warm feeling listening to the shortwave
radio recently. Graham Kemp VK4BB tells us why.
GRAHAM: The shortwave broadcast wasn't aiming for big global listenership. Indeed, there were perhaps only a
few dozen pairs of ears for whom the special programme was intended. Still, the BBC's Antarctic Midwinter
Broadcast is a shortwave tradition Down Under. This year, its 70th anniversary year, was no different.
Scientists and support staff of the British Antarctic Survey Team were tuned in on the 21st of June to hear
welcoming messages from home - including a pre-recorded greeting from King Charles, the first monarch to
participate in the tradition.
The show only lasted a half-hour but has been a big part of a midwinter at British research stations on the
frozen continent for decades.
This is Graham Kemp VK4BB.
**
YOUNGSTERS ON THE AIR CAMP GEARS UP IN EUROPE
ANCHOR: Here in the US, the Youth on the Air Americas Camp has just wrapped up in suburban Denver, Colorado.
Soon, it will be France's turn to host eager young amateurs. Jeremy Boot G4NJH has the details.
JEREMY: Youngsters on the Air - also known this year as YOTA France - is getting ready for its 13th edition.
The camp will be taking place at the Chateau de Jambville near Paris from the 18th through to the 25th of
August. It is being hosted by the French national amateur radio society, Réseau des Émetteurs Français or REF.
Although the camp serves primarily youngsters from throughout IARU Region 1, guest campers will be welcomed
from Regions 2 and 3. About 100 young amateurs attend these camps each year, participating as teams
representing their countries. Previous YOTA summer camps have been held in such countries as Czechia, Hungary,
Croatia, Bulgaria, South Africa and Great Britain.
This is Jeremy Boot G4NJH.
**
BREAK HERE: Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin
stations around the world, including the CQØUARS UHF and CQØEARS VHF repeaters in Portugal on Saturdays and
Sundays at 12 noon local time.
**
SWEDEN'S GRIMETON RADIO STATION TO SEND JUBILEE MESSAGE
PAUL/ANCHOR: In Sweden, the Grimeton Radio Station is marking its jubilee year in the most appropriate way
possible - can you guess how? Jeremy Boot G4NJH has some answers.
JEREMY: The Jubilee Year for the Grimeton Radio Station in Sweden is well under way, having begun last
December. The highest point of the year, however, will come on the 2nd of July - the exact date, 100 years ago,
that the station's 200kW alternator sent a message across the Atlantic Ocean for receipt by the US president,
Calvin Coolidge. The message reached the receiving station in Riverhead, New York - on Long Island - and the
president had a reply sent, praising the new broadcaster and sharing his hopes for good relations between
July 2nd is nearly here and the 100-year anniversary of that historic message is being celebrated with a
telegram to be transmitted from the station on 17.2 kHz using CW at 0900 UTC. The station will be using the
The broadcast can be heard on a receiver with VLF capability and will also be live streamed on YouTube.
In the meantime, hams wishing to make contact with the amateur radio station SK6SAQ in CW or SSB should be
listening on 80, 40 and 20 metres.
Details are available at alexander dot n dot se (alexander.n.se)
This is Jeremy Boot G4NJH.
(THE ALEXANDER ASSOCIATION, AMATEUR RADIO DAILY)
**
BE LISTENING FOR 13 COLONIES SPECIAL EVENT STATIONS
PAUL/ANCHOR: Just a reminder that the popular 13 Colonies Special Event runs from the 1st of July through to
the 8th, UTC. Certificates are available at all levels of achievement. Shortwave listeners and hunters outside
the US are welcome, Operators will be using all modes on all HF bands except for 60 metres. Be listening as
See the link in the text version of this week's Newsline script at arnewsline.org
[DO NOT READ: 13colonies.us ]
**
LIFESAVING SKILLS LEARNED ATOP SOME SOTA SUMMITS
PAUL/ANCHOR: Being a SOTA activator has given one ham in Australia much more than memorable QSOs, spectacular
summit views and some outdoor adventures. It has provided him with some lifesaving skills, as we hear from
JASON: As record-breaking fires consumed huge sections of the Canadian province of Alberta, Wade Smith VK1MIC,
was preparing for an activation that would take him into the heart of the destruction. As captain of the
communications brigade in the New South Wales Rural Fire Service, Wade responded to Canada's request by
traveling from Sydney with the Australian contingent. Wade added his specialised skills in air radio and
dispatch to assist the joint Australian-Albertan Incident Management Team operating in the remote northern
Facing the challenge of several large fires raging, Wade and his team handled more than 500 radio calls daily.
The fire-fighting effort mustered more than 20 aircraft involved in operations across several large fires,
Wade, who is also the VK1 SOTA Association Manager, said his years of SOTA experience have served as great
practice for staying focused, handling several stations at once and managing fast-moving communications pile-
ups. He said [quote]" "These same skills are directly transferable to coordinating air operations under
The fires posed hazards on the ground locally as well as for the air quality in much of North America. Weather
experts attribute the conditions in the region to an ongoing trend of dry, warm conditions that have been
worsened by the global climate crisis.
This is Jason Daniels VK2LAW.
**
In the World of DX, Laurent, FM5BH will be on the air as J79BH from Dominica, IOTA Number NA-101, from the
25th through to the 29th of June. Listen for him on 80 through 10 metres where he will operate CW and SSB. See
Harry, JG7PSJ, is using the callsign JD1BMH from Chichijima [CHEE CHEE JEE MUH], IOTA Number AS-031, Ogasawara
[OH-GAH-SAH-WARRA] from the 26th of June through to the 4th of July. Harry is using CW, SSB and RTTY on 40-10m.
See QRZ.com for QSL details.
Listen for the callsign KP4NET from Vieques Island, also known as Isla Nena, IOTA Number NA-249. A team of
operators will be on the air with that callsign on the 27th through to the 29th of June, mainly on 40, 20 and
10 metres, using SSB and CW. See QRZ.com for QSL details.
Kimmo, OH3DJP, is operating holiday style as OHØ/OH3DJP from the Aland Islands, IOTA Number EU-002, until the
1st of July. Kimmo is on various HF bands - also listen on 6 metres. See QRZ.com for QSL details.
**
KICKER: MYSTERY SIGNALS FROM THE GREAT BEYOND?
PAUL/ANCHOR: It’s pretty well-known that some scientists study outer space in search of extraterrestrial life –
but what happens when researchers believe they have instead stumbled upon...the afterlife? Kent Peterson KCØDGY
tells us what did - and didn’t -- really happen in this week’s final story.
KENT: Rest in peace, NASA Relay 2 satellite. The spacecraft was one of two launched at different times in the
1960s by the US space agency to serve as experimental communication satellites. Unlike NASA’s Relay 1, which
transmitted American TV signals into Japan and Europe, Relay 2 was used for barely a year. It stopped
operations in 1965 and its transponders were believed to have died in 1967
The key word here is “believedö - because one year ago this month, researchers in Australia were certain they'd
heard Relay 2 returning radio pulses to earth in much the same way some so-called "zombie" satellites, like the
famous AMSAT OSCAR-7, have been known to do.
In this case, no seances or Ouija boards were necessary to understand this message from The Great Beyond. Some
scientists theorize that the pulses came from the discharge of electrostatic energy, or ESD, that had built up
on Relay 2 over time. Another theory is that its impact with a micrometeoroid released a cloud of plasma
capable of sending such a signal.
Researchers plan to study both ESD and the micrometeoroid effect in the hope of a better understanding in the
future. It's not about alien life or afterlife, then: Just breathing new life into solving more mysteries of
space.
This is Kent Peterson KCØDGY.
**
A good QSO can be like poetry - sometimes! So why not write a haiku about amateur radio and join the Newsline
haiku challenge? It's as easy as writing a QSL card. We can only accept the correct haiku format - that is, a
three-line verse with five syllables in the first line, seven in the second and five in the third. Submit your
work on our website at arnewsline.org - each week's winner gets a shout-out on our website, where everyone can
With thanks to Advanced Television; Alexanderson Association; Amateur News Daily; AMSAT; ARRL; BBC; CBC; David
Behar K7DB; DX World; 425DX Bulletin; FCC; Interesting Engineering; LiveScience; MSN; New Scientist; QRZ.com;
Radio Society of Great Britain; Radio World; Shortwaveradio.de; Space.com; SWLing Post; Wade Smith, VK1MIC;
Wireless Institute of Australia; YOTA.com; Zero Retries Newsletter; 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 Paul Braun WD9GCO in Valparaiso Indiana
saying 73. As always we thank you for listening. Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) is Copyright 2025. All rights
reserved.
PY2BIL@PY2BIL.SP.BRA.SOAM
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BBS: PY2BIL - Timed 28-Jun-2025 12:13 E. South America Standard Time
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