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Subj: Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2473 for Friday, March 21st, 2
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Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2473 for Friday, March 21st, 2025
Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2473 with a release date of Friday,
March 21st, 2025 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.
The following is a QST. The Voice of America and other international news
services are being dismantled. The stranded NASA astronauts are home at
last -- and New Zealand gets a new mobile emergency operations center for
disaster response. All this and more as Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number
2473 comes your way right now.
**
BILLBOARD CART
**
US GOVT TO SHUT VOA AND OTHER INTERNATIONAL NEWS SERVICES
STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Our top story takes us to Washington, D.C., where the US
Agency for Global Media has been marked for defunding. Voice of America,
Radio Free Europe, Radio Free Asia and Radio Marti are among the
international news services that the White House says it is preparing to
dismantle. Kent Peterson KCØDGY gives us the details.
KENT: Voice of America, a shortwave service launched in 1942 during the
Second World to bring news to countries under authoritarian control, is
among US-based news programming for overseas audiences targeted in a deep
cut by the Trump administration. According to various media reports, VOA
employees have been notified that they were all being placed on paid
administrative leave with full benefits - effective immediately.
Cuts to VOA, as well as Radio Free Europe, Radio Free Asia, Radio Marti and
others are the result of reductions taking place inside the US Agency for
Global Media, where these programs originate. These cuts are part of the
ongoing down-sizing of the US government. The agency operates with
congressional funding to deliver news in 64 languages to listeners around
the world via six networks, some of which were created during the Cold War.
VOA’s first broadcast, made in 1942, was in German and was transmitted to
German listeners to counter Nazi propaganda.
The Agency for Global Media's mission statement reads [quote] "to inform,
engage and connect people around the world in support of freedom and
democracy." [endquote]
On Friday the 15th of March, Trump signed the executive order for the cuts,
noting in the language of the order itself that the services earmarked for
reduction have been deemed [quote] “unnecessary.ö [Endquote]
This is Kent Peterson KCØDGY.
(ASSOCIATED PRESS, CNN)
**
FCC SEEKS PUBLIC SUGGESTIONS ON POSSIBLE DEREGULATION
STEPHEN/ANCHOR: In related news, the FCC is looking for public input on what
rules, regulations or other forms of guidance should be eliminated as part
of the commission's efforts at deregulation. A public notice has set a
deadline of Friday, April 11th for initial comments. Reply comments are due
by Monday, April 28th. The commission is hoping to hear recommendations
based on changes in technology and the market, cost-benefit considerations
and regulations that are a barrier to entry in the communications
marketplace. All filings must reference Docket Number 25-133. On its
website, the FCC refers to the document as the "Delete, Delete, Delete"
docket.
(FCC)
**
STRANDED NASA ASTRONAUTS RETURN TO EARTH FROM ISS
STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Tuesday night, March 18th, brought a safe splashdown at long
last for Suni Williams KD5PLB and Butch Wilmore, the two NASA astronauts
left stranded on the International Space Station for nine and a half months
after their Boeing Starliner spacecraft malfunctioned. They splashed down
inside the SpaceX Dragon Freedom capsule off the coast of Florida along with
NASA astronaut Nick Hague KG5TMV and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov.
The 17-hour flight home ended a saga that began with what was supposed to
have been only a short test flight aboard the Boeing Starliner in June.
(ABC NEWS, ASSOCIATED PRESS)
**
YOUNG AMATEURS PREPARE FOR DX YOUTH ADVENTURES
STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Two trips are planned this year for young radio operators
who are accepted into the Dave Kalter Memorial Youth DX Adventure, as we
hear from Sel Embee, KB3 T Zed D.
SEL: The adventure promises to be twice as big for young amateurs
participating in the Dave Kalter Memorial Youth DX Adventure experience in
June and July. There are two trips planned.
The first trip takes a group of youngsters to one of the top contesting
stations here in the US. The young hams will serve as a team operating
special event station W-3-Y from June 13th to the 15th, hosted by the K-3-L-
R Multi/Multi Contest Station in Pennsylvania.
In July, other young participants will be going to Curaçao to another super-
contesting station to operate as P-J-2-Y. The program is being hosted for
the fourth time by the Caribbean Contesting Consortium, P-J-2-T. This four-
day activation will take place from the 17th through the 22nd of July.
Be on the lookout for applications for both of these trips. In the meantime,
you can visit the team page to get more information. The website is youthdxa
dot org. That's youthdxa - all one word - dot org.
These adventures reflect the spirit and support given the program by Dave
Kalter, K-B-8-O-C-P, the youth adventure's cofounder. Dave became a Silent
Key in November of 2013.
This is Sel Embee, K-B-3-T-Zed-D.
(DAVE KALTER MEMORIAL YOUTH DX ADVENTURE)
**
SILENT KEY: WALTER CARLINGTON, VP9KD, FORMER NET DIRECTOR FOR CARIBUS NET
STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Members of the ham radio community in Bermuda and beyond are
grieving the loss of a friend and active operator. We have details from
Graham Kemp VK4BB.
GRAHAM: The callsign of Walter Carlington, VP9KD could be heard often at the
family home in Bermuda when his son, Scott, was growing up. Walter, who
became licensed in March of 1978, became devoted early on to operating in CW
but soon added the joys of SSB to his repertoire.
Walter became a Silent Key at home on the 11th of March. According to his
son, he had been diagnosed with cancer. The retired mechanical engineer
belonged to the Radio Society of Bermuda, the International Sideband Society
and the OMIK [OH MIKE] Amateur Radio Association, where his fist and his
voice were well-known on a number of the group’s nets.
He had also been net director for the Friendly CARIBUS Connection Net on 2
metres.
Walter was 81.
This is Graham Kemp VK4BB.
(QRZ.COM, SCOTT CARLINGTON)
**
WORK AT REPEATER SITE COSTS WEST COAST HAM HIS COUNTY JOB
STEPHEN/ANCHOR: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
GEORGE: Repair work that a ham radio operator and fellow club members
conducted on a shared repeater site in Washington State has cost the ham his
government job.
Asotin County officials said that Russell Pelleberg KA7MPX was not
authorized to give the other members of the Hells Gate Amateur Radio Club
access to the secure site and that their work caused a communications outage
and a power meter disturbance for other users of the site. County agencies
operate two nearby radio repeaters and the local utility, Clearwater Power
Co., also has facilities.
According to a report in the Lewiston Tribune, Pelleberg said he had
discussed the work with county commissioners and they appeared to be
supportive. He told investigators that he had even written a resolution for
the county to vote on but there were delays producing the document. The
newspaper report said he has apologized on behalf of the club for proceeding
ahead of the necessary vote and that the hams meant no harm.
No criminal charges were filed or recommended. Pelleberg, who has worked in
government for 35 years, was terminated from his job as the county’s public
works director in late January.
This is George Zafiropoulos KJ6VU.
(YAHOO NEWS, LEWISTON TRIBUNE)
**
NOMINATE THE NEXT YOUNG HAM OF THE YEAR
STEPHEN/ANCHOR: We remind our listeners that young hams who live in the
continental United States have an opportunity to make news, if they aren't
already doing so, by being a recipient of this year's Amateur Radio Newsline
Bill Pasternak Memorial Young Ham of the Year Award. Consider nominating an
amateur radio operator 18 years of age or younger -- someone who has talent,
promise and a commitment to the spirit of ham radio. Newsline was proud last
year to honor Grace Papay, K8LG, of Holland, Michigan, with this special
award. Do you know someone who might qualify to receive this year's honor?
Find application forms on our website arnewsline.org under the "YHOTY" tab.
Nominations are now open. We are accepting nominations through May 31st.
**
BREAK HERE: Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio
Newsline heard on bulletin stations around the world including the K5DUR
repeater in Rowlett Texas on Sundays at 7 p.m. local time.
**
US NAVY COMMUNICATORS LOOK TO HAM RADIO TECHNOLOGY
STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Amateur radio is showing its strengths inside one division
of the US Navy, as we hear from Ralph Squillace KK6ITB.
RALPH: Amateur radio has provided the inspiration for a new initiative
within the Resilient Communications program at the US Naval Undersea Warfare
Center Division in the state of Washington. Organizers in Keyport,
Washington, are working to use ham radio's reliability as the backup for its
emergency communications when there are disruptions to the Internet,
computer function or mobile phone services.
Eric Seeley, the division's director of innovation in Keyport, said that the
program embraces the technology of ham radio for this purpose and will be
establishing a network of licensed hams to make use of amateur radio
frequencies when the need arises. Organizers have also been encouraging
nearby naval bases to join in their effort.
The Keyport team is reaching beyond the military too. Everyone needs an
Elmer, so organizers have contacted local ham radio clubs as well as
emergency responders to help with training the new operators to grow the
network. Some members of the team have already obtained their GMRS license,
for General Mobile Radio Service, but acknowledge that the next step is the
FCC's Technician test to become a ham.
This is Ralph Squillace KK6ITB.
(DEFENSE VISUAL INFORMATION DISTRIBUTION SERVICE)
**
SPECIAL EVENT STATION MARKS POLIO VACCINE ANNIVERSARY
STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Hams throughout the US are getting on the air to mark the
anniversary of a groundbreaking vaccine that gave hope in the fight against
polio seven decades ago. Jack Parker W8ISH tells us more.
JACK: Members of the Narwhal Amateur Radio Society are marking the 70th
anniversary of the approval of the vaccine against polio, which was
developed by the American physician and researcher, Dr. Jonas Salk. On April
12th, 1955, the US government permitted the use of Salk's injectable
vaccine, which contains inactive forms of the virus. There had been several
epidemics at the time of polio, a paralyzing virus also known as
poliomyelitis.
Radio operators in a number of locations around the US will be calling "QRZ
Salk" or "Polio on the Air" from the 5th through to the 19h of April and to
ensure that everyone has a chance to make contact with the special event
stations, they will be operating on HF, VHF and UHF. Operators will be using
SSB, FT4, FT8, EchoLink and AllStar.
The hams will be using callsigns that spell out the word "Polio," so listen
for W7P, W7O, W7L, W7I and W7O. Each station will be sending out individual
QSL cards so there's an opportunity to collect all five.
The Narwhal operators are also looking for volunteer operators. Anyone who
wants to participate or has questions about the event should send an email
to the address found in the text version of this week's newscast at
arnewsline.org
[EMAIL ADDRESS IS nars@narwhal.be ]
This is Jack Parker W8ISH.
(NARWHAL AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY)
**
EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE FROM NEW ZEALAND'S NEW MOBILE EOC
STEPHEN/ANCHOR: A new mobile operations center has just become available in
New Zealand to be deployed for emergency communications when disaster
strikes. We have details from Jim Meachen ZL2BHF.
JIM: The new mobile Emergency Operations Centre of the Manawatu District
Council was years in the making. Recently unveiled to the public at Family
Fun Day in Victoria Park, Feilding, the EOC was a concept in
administrators' minds for quite some time. They recognised for a long time
that a transportable EOC was essential for Civil Defence emergencies in a
region that has a large rural population. Until now, the district's urban-
based EOC was all everyone had.
The mobile EOC can be trailered from place to place and set up quickly -
usually within a half hour. Once in place, it can accommodate as many as 40
people and shield them well from winds of up to 100km per hour, or about 62
miles an hour.
When discussions began years ago, Cyclone Gabrielle was on people's minds.
Hawkes Bay, which is also on the North Island, suffered terribly during the
2023 storm but mobile coordination centres responded quickly there, creating
a tent city for communications and other assistance.
The NZ Net newsletter quoted Mayor Helen Worboys, who praised the new EOC
and the promise it brings in times of crisis. She said [quote]: "In times of
emergency, every second counts, and having a mobile, highly equipped
response unit like this will make a tremendous difference in our ability to
coordinate effectively and deploy resources quickly.ö [endquote]
As the newsletter editors also noted in their report, the new mobile EOC
will be ideal for next year's Field Day operations.
This is Jim Meachen ZL2BHF.
(NZ NET)
**
WORLD OF DX
In the World of DX, members of A R I Sondrio, IQ2UL, will be on the air in
Italy as special event station II2AUT [EYE EYE TWO A U T] from the 27th of
March through to the 10th of April for World Autism Awareness. QSL via
IK2WAD.
Ishmael, 8P6PE is on the air as J87PE from St. Vincent Island until the 30th
of March This is a POTA vacation for Ishmael, who can be spotted in POTA
parks on 40 through 6 metres using SSB. See QRZ.com for QSL details.
Heath, VK3TWO, will be active holiday style as 3D2TWO from Vanua Levu, IOTA
number OC-016, and possibly from Viti Levu, IOTA number OC-016, in Fiji
until the 27th of March. Heath is using SSB and FT8 on 40-6 metres. QSL via
his instructions.
Gary, KC9EE, will be active as PJ7EE from Saint Maarten, IOTA number NA-105,
from the 26th of March through to the 6th of April. He will also participate
in the CQ WW WPX SSB contest. See QRZ.com for QSL details.
(425 DX BULLETIN)
**
KICKER: FOR AM RADIO, SIGNOFF IS A SIGN OF THE TIMES
STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Our last story is a sad postscript that relates to the
debate of AM broadcast radio and perhaps even its relevance. The giant
Cumulus Media has already pulled the plug on AM radio stations such as KZAC
in California, WRIE in Pennsylvania and KPUR in Texas, among many others.
Now one small independent station in New York State has decided that it too
it has had enough. Andy Morrison K9AWM has that story.
ANDY: The website for New York radio station W I R Y-AM, screams: [quote]
"Hometown radio. Playing all the hits from yesteryear to today." Now after
75 years, however, there will be no hits played for any tomorrows. The
upstate New York State broadcaster has announced it is going silent, the
result of a changing audience and a changing media environment.
Lawmakers in Washington, D.C., are presently debating whether a law is
needed to ensure that carmakers keep AM radio in vehicles sold in the US --
but for this broadcaster, a locally owned station in the Champlain Valley,
the argument is over and AM radio has lost. WIRY made its announcement
earlier this month. The announcement did not specify the last day before its
transmitter would go silent.
This is Andy Morrison K9AWM.
(WPTZ, RADIO INSIGHT)
**
Have you sent in your amateur radio haiku to Newsline's haiku challenge yet?
It's as easy as writing a QSL card. Set your thoughts down using traditional
haiku format - 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 find the winning haiku.
NEWSCAST CLOSE: With thanks to ABC News; Associated Press; Amateur News
Daily; CNN; Dave Kalter Memorial Youth DX Adventure; David Behar K7DB;
Defense Visual Information Distribution Service; FCC; Lewiston Tribute;
Narwhal Amateur Radio Society; NZNet.com; QRZ.com; Radio Insight; Radio
World; Scott Carlington; shortwaveradio.de; Wireless Institute of Australia;
WPTZ Plattsburgh; YahooNews; 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 2025. All rights reserved.
73 de Bill, PY2BIL
PY2BIL@PY2BIL.SP.BRA.SOAM
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BBS: PY2BIL - Timed 21-mar-2025 08:01 E. South America Standard Time
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