Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2119 for Friday, June 8, 2018
Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2119 with a release date of Friday,
June 8, 2018, to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.
The following is a QST. The Maritime Mobile Service Network helps a ham
in distress at sea. Amateurs celebrate a modern-day Marconi message --
and we visit German's Ham Radio Friedrichshafen. All this and more as
Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2119 comes your way right now.
**
BILLBOARD CART
**
QSO FROM CAPE COD WITH GUGLIELMO MARCONI'S DAUGHTER
PAUL/ANCHOR: We open this week's report with news that someone named
Marconi has successfully completed a contact by wireless across a body
of water. But wait - this is almost 120 years after this transmission
created unprecedented news - and this is, of course, a different
Marconi. The event - with Marconi's daughter - was a big happening
nonetheless as we hear from Kevin Trotman N5PRE.
KEVIN: Imagine a QSO with a Marconi. If you had been at the Cape Cod
National Seashore on Thursday May 31st you would not have needed your
imagination. At the Wellfleet Marconi Station there, the rig was tuned
to 14.224 MHz. At the microphone was Guglielmo Marconi's daughter,
Princess Elettra Marconi. Shortly before noon another wireless Marconi
message went out -- this time to the historic Signal Hill station in
Newfoundland, Canada. The special event coordinator of the Society of
Newfoundland Radio Amateurs, Chris Hillier VO1IDX, had arranged for
their station VO1AA to make the contact. At the microphone in Canada was
18-year-old Aaron Kent Abbott VO1FOX.
Although Princess Elettra has visited both Marconi stations on previous
occasions, the moment's significance was lost on no one - the radio
pioneer himself first transmitted from this New England station on Jan.
18, 1903 sending the first two-way wireless message from the U.S. to
Europe. It was at the Newfoundland station on Dec. 12, 1901 that
Guglielmo Marconi had received that historic first translatlantic signal
- the letter "S" sent in Morse Code from England.
More than a century later, the event in May was no less remarkable, said
Barbara Dugan N1NS, a trustee of KM1CC, the Marconi Cape Cod Radio Club.
She said [quote] "Marconi's magic was with us." [endquote]
For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Kevin Trotman N5PRE.
(ART DONAHUE W1AWX, BARBARA DUGAN N1NS)
PAUL/ANCHOR: To hear the QSO between Princess Elettra and the Society of
Newfoundland Radio Amateurs visit our website at arnewsline.org and
click on the tab that says "EXTRA."
**
RADIO MUSEUM NEAR DUBLING GEARS UP FOR INTERNATIONAL WEEKEND
PAUL/ANCHOR: Fresh on the heels of the recent Museum Ships Weekend is
International Museums Weekend - and in Ireland, one participating radio
museum also has a Marconi connection. Here's Jeremy Boot G4NJH.
JEREMY: Although ships, castles, pumping stations and aviation museums
qualify as locations for International Museum activations, one museum
near Dublin, Ireland is a natural for the event. Ye Olde Hurdy Gurdy
Museum of Vintage Radio will be participating on Saturday and Sunday
16th and 17th of June with the callsign EI0MAR. The museum is located in
the Martello Tower the site of the first telegraphy station that
connected Ireland to Great Britain in 1852. It was in this tower that America's
Lee de Forest experimented with wireless telegraphy at the
turn of the 20th century. The tower was also home to a Marconi receiving
station that conducted experimental telegraphy communications with the
HMS Monarch. Hams will be operating from that tower during the weekend
and organizers say volunteer operators are needed for both SSB and CW.
For details on how to participate, send an email to ei0mar at eircom dot
net (ei0mar@eircom.net) The station is customarily operated by the Howth
Martello Radio Group on Sundays. The site opened as a museum in 2003.
For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Jeremy Boot G4NJH.
(SOUTHGATE)
**
THOUSANDS FLOCK TO HAM RADIO FRIEDRICHSHAFEN
PAUL/ANCHOR: With Hamvention a memory, all eyes and ears turned recently
the largest hamfest in Europe. Ed Durrant DD5LP was there - here's his
report.
ED'S REPORT: As most will know, Ham Radio Friedrichshafen is the largest
Hamfest in Europe. This years theme was radio scouting (audio clip) of
course, with lots of fun, that was the combined scout troops from
several European countries who were attending Ham Radio Friedrichshafen
this year. The theme extended into other youth orientated events
including the hand-over of Youngsters on-the-air from the UK Organisers
to the South African organisers.
Attendance at the event was probably about 10% reduced due to the
unfortunate coincidence that the date clashed with the IARU CW field day.
There were several new dealers with new products, with Magnetic loop
antennas practical for portable use to enormous, high power home station
ones. One young Spanish company Komunica are designing and building HF
and VHF mobile antennas in Europe, with new antennas due out in
September. It's good to see not everything is being produced in the far
east.
SDR radios were very much in presence with several different companies
displaying new or extended models. Of course the "big 5" were there and
this was a chance to see the new Kenwood TS-890S and talk with its
designer. As well as get a look at the Yaesu FTDX101D FT-818ND and the software
update to the FT-2D Fusion handy to make it into a hot-spot.
In general the slightly reduced numbers in the very large halls made it
easier to get around. Only in the flea market was it as busy as ever.
The addition of the Maker Faire with their Cosplay dressed people
walking around added some flair and fun.
Despite dire weather predictions, not one drop of rain fell over the
three days of the event. rather it was sunny and in the high twenties
Centigrade the whole time.
So if you've never been to Ham Radio in Friedrichshafen, why not plan a
visit for next year when it moves back to its usual weekend, which is
June 21st to the 23rd 2019.
That's Friedrichshafen for another year, now it's time to get ready for
the WRTC in 6 weeks time. How did that go? "Dib di Dib Dib Dah Dah Di Dah"?
For AR Newsline this has been Ed Durrant DD5LP.
**
RADIO SCOUTING GOES TO CAMP
PAUL/ANCHOR: Here in the United States, radio scouts are getting busy
with summer camp. Here's Bill Stearns NE3RD.
BILL'S REPORT: This week in Radio Scouting summer camp season has
started and scouts are breaking codes and sending CW in Oregon.
William Coverdell, WD0BC, is activating K2BSA/0 at Camp Geiger in St
Joseph, MO, from June 10th to July 21st. The camp will be offering
radio merit badge classes throughout the six week period. Scouts will
be getting on the air with a generous station that is completely scout
owned through 100% donations.
Ed Evans, WV8ED, is activating K2BSA/8 at Camp Arrowhead in Ona, WV,
from June 17th to the 23rd. Ed will have a ham radio demonstration
station located in the STEM area of the camp for the week.
Richard Zarczynski, AC8FJ, is also activating K2BSA/8 at D-Bar-A Scout
Ranch in Metamora, MI, from June 24th to the 29th. This event is the
very successful Trail to Eagle program designed for the older Scout
which gives them the opportunity to work on the merit badges they need
to complete their Eagle Scout rank requirements in a timely manner.
Michael Boensch/W8MKB and Richard will again be offering the radio merit
badge course and maintaining the special event station making others on
the airwaves aware of and promoting the long history of the Trail To
Eagle program over the various amateur radio bands.
We have many other activations at other scout camps over on our Scout
Camps on the Air page at scota.us. If you want to help out a local
scout camp with donations of gear or your time and don't know who to
contact, please contact us through our website.
Finally, I received a report from Russ Mickiewicz, N7QR, about scouts
out in Oregon that were having some fun with another popular merit
badge: Signs, Signals, and Code.
A new generation of code-breakers and communications experts was
launched at Oregon's Sunset Trail District Camporee in May, 2018. About
100 scouts learned the crafts that had once been vital for
communications and survival: semaphore (flag) signals, Morse Code, and
code ciphers.
Scouts were broken up into teams after training. One team would be
sending a coded message in semaphore, while the other team would decode
the message and then send their response back with Morse Code using a
flashlight. The semaphore team would record the message and confirm the
correct decode by sending an R in semaphore back to the other team.
For the rest of the story and more information on radio scouting, please
visit our website at www.k2bsa.net.
For Amateur Radio Newsline and the K2BSA Amateur Radio Association, this
is Bill Stearns, NE4RD
(K2BSA)
**
SILENT KEY: LLOYD WICKS VO1PJ
PAUL/ANCHOR: A longtime amateur radio operator in Canada who trained for
a career in radio before becoming a noted judge in Newfoundland and
Labrador has become a Silent Key. Lloyd Wicks VO1PJ died on June 1. The
earliest part of his career began at the Radio College of Canada in
Toronto where he trained to become a radio technician. In his spare
time, he devoted himself to various activities as a ham radio operator.
As his interest in politics and public policy grew, he returned home and
switched careers, becoming first a lawyer and then a judge. Lloyd
eventually became Newfoundland and Labrador's first Child and Youth
Advocate and the first youth court judge. He retired in 1993.
Lloyd Wicks was 85.
(CBC)
**
BREAK HERE: Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur
Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including
the K4LYL repeater at 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays in Bedford,
Virginia.
**
MARITIME MOBILE SERVICE NETWORK AIDS IN MEDICAL EMERGENCY
PAUL/ANCHOR: High seas emergencies have always gotten top priority for
the Maritime Mobile Service Network since it began operations in 1968.
So when the latest call for help came in late May, the net answered, as
we hear from Christian Cudnik K0STH.
CHRISTIAN: Timothy Henning KE7WMZ wasn't expecting to end his
around-the-world sail with a distress call - but by the time the Arizona
radio amateur's vessel, the Victory Cat, was about 200 miles south of
Ensenada Mexico on May 23rd, he had developed a severe problem with his
right eye and was having vision issues. He made a distress call on 20
meters at about 1530 UTC and it was picked up by Maritime Mobile Service
Network Net Control Operator Harry Williams W0LS. Harry stayed on the
radio with Tim while contacting the Coast Guard in California. The Coast
Guard met Tim at Ensenada and he was taken from there to the Balboa
Naval Hospital in San Diego.
According to Net Manager Jeff Savasta KB4JKL, Tim got the diagnosis that
he had suffered a severely detached retina. He was taken to Phoenix,
Arizona for surgery.
Following his surgery, Tim emailed the members of the 50-year-old net to
express his gratitude for a response that was, his words "professional
and invaluable." His voyage completed, he can now concentrate on recovery.
For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Christian Cudnik K0STH.
(JEFF SAVASTA KB4JKL)
**
(BROOM) HANDLING LOGISTICS FOR WRTC 2018
PAUL/ANCHOR: As the weeks move closer to the World Radiosport Team Championship
next month in Germany, it all comes down to logistics.
Here's Ed Durrant DD5LP with an update.
ED'S REPORT: Without 1300 broom handles it can't happen!
Almost casually, Robby Pöschk, DM6DX, mentioned in our latest
teleconference: "We have the 1300 broom handles and the more than 30 Kilometres
of barrier tape along with the more than 65 Dixie portaloos
in supplies." That caused some frivolity between the organizers of the
WRTC 2018 and some disbelief. Surprised at the 1300 broom handles, the
press spokesman asked why so many were needed. "Without sky hooks, I can
not secure the operators area in the sites," was the answer of the
logistics officer Robby Pöschk.
The simple fence is the combination of 20 broom handles and 500 m of red
& white barrier tape to surround the antennas and the station tents at
the 65 locations. This avoids anyone tripping over the guy wires, having access
to the antennas and tent and possibly causing damage. It still
seems unusual though. Who would have thought of broom handles being
required for the amateur radio world championship!
Robby, DM6DX, talks about WRTC's small and big challenges in logistics:
"There are 130 tables, lamps, fans and 198 chairs that are not available
from the furniture store around the corner. So we had to order the lamps
for the stations directly from the manufacturer. "
Teleconferences take place in the areas of organization, Internet
technology and public relations, and quickly reveal the immense effort involved
behind the scenes for the WRTC. Logistics covers acquiring and transferring
material such as antennas, masts, generators and station
tents. There are intensive discussions with local authorities in
Wittenberg and Jessen. In the technical area the IT conferences move up
a level and those without IT knowledge understand nothing. Last of all,
how the WRTC is portrayed to the public through words, pictures and
films, and which news reports should be released is covered on the
agenda and the discussions of the PR team teleconference.
For every organizational group the clock is running and the countdown continues
unimpeded to the start of the World Championship. It has a motivating effect on
the organizers, the "To Do" lists show not only
open actions but also many entries marked as "done." "As this continues,
it creates a very positive adrenaline rush and more and more excitement
for what is coming," said Chris Janßen, DL1MGB, President WRTC 2018.
It's now less than 40 days until the start of the first ever German WRTC.
For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Ed Durrant DD5LP
**
HOW ABOUT SOME DSTAR for FIELD DAY?
PAUL/ANCHOR: Meanwhile hams in the U.S. have Field Day on their minds.
One group of hams, however, is adding a new element into the mix. Neil
Rapp WB9VPG explains.
NEIL: If you're looking for an educational activity bonus for this
year's Field Day, maybe D-STAR is the thing for you! D-STAR is one of
the several digital voice modes available on VHF and UHF that also makes
linking between repeaters easier. The organizers of the Quadnet Array,
a group of linked reflectors and smart groups around the world on
D-STAR, are inviting groups that want to demonstrate D-STAR to join in
as a central gathering place during Field Day. Tom Early, N7TAE explains.
TOM: We are offering just to say, "Hey, we're here." If you want to demonstrate
D-STAR on your Field Day, then we're here and you can talk
to us or you can have people listen in. Hopefully it will be fairly
busy, so you'll hear some people checking in from all over. But that's
pretty much the standard way it is there anyway, because like I say
we've got a couple of international reflectors in the array, and there's always
someone interesting to talk to.
NEIL: To connect to the Quadnet Array you will need to either login to
one of the Smart Groups which include DSTAR1 in New York, DSTAR2 in San
Francisco, or DSTAR3 in Ohio. Or, link to one of the reflectors: XRF757A
in Atlanta, XLX049D in Northern Ireland, XLX307D in Wyoming, or XLX626D
in New Zealand. If you have any questions about connecting to the array,
email admins@openquad.net. While you won't be able to use repeaters for scoring
QSOs on Field Day, you can score some interest.
Reporting for Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Neil Rapp, WB9VPG in
Bloomington, Indiana
**
CONGRATULATIONS TO 'QSO TODAY'
PAUL/ANCHOR: We here at Newsline would also like to congratulate Eric
Guth ("GOOTH") 4Z1UG on reaching the milestone of his 200th edition of
his podcast "QSO Today."
**
KICKER: WHEN PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS FLY LIKE AN EAGLE
PAUL/ANCHOR: Finally, what do public service announcements, also known
as PSAs, have in common with the American rock band, the Eagles? Mike
Askins KE5CXP has that answer.
MIKE: The latest releases from rock legend Joe Walsh WB6ACU are no match
for "Hotel California" or "Life's Been Good" which are staples for so
many of his fans. For ham radio operators, though, the guitarist and songwriter
has landed on the charts anyway - well, maybe more like the
band plan. Joe has recorded a series of public service announcements for
the American Radio Relay League explaining the importance of ham radio
and the league's advocacy role. The video and audio messages are being
made available to radio and TV outlets as well as ARRL affiliated clubs
to use at meetings or public events.
The recording artist's studio sessions were at league headquarters in
Connecticut at W1AW. Joe's previous visits to the station included
donations of some of his vintage equipment and some on-air operating
that generated massive pileups.
Joe's PSAs, however, are easily downloadable from the ARRL website. All
you need is....an Eagle eye.
For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Mike Askins KE5CXP.
(QRZNOW.COM, ARRL)
**
NEWSCAST CLOSE: With thanks to Alan Labs; Amateur News Weekly; the ARRL;
Art Donahue W1AWX; Barbara Dugan, N1NS; the BBC; CBC; CQ Magazine; DX
World; Hap Holly and the Rain Report; Jeff Savasta KB4JKL; Ohio-Penn DX
Bulletin; QRZNOW.COM, Southgate Amateur Radio News; Ted Randall's QSO
Radio Show; Wireless Institute of Australia; WTWW Shortwave; and you our
listeners, that's all from the Amateur Radio Newsline. Please send
emails to our address at newsline@arnewsline.org. More information is available
at Amateur Radio Newsline's only official website at www.arnewsline.org.
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 and as always we thank you for listening.
Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) is Copyright 2018. All rights reserved.
--
73
James-KB7TBT
www.arnewsline.org
www.ylsystem.org
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Groups.io Links: You receive all messages sent to this group.
View/Reply Online (#1033): https://groups.io/g/ARNewsline/message/1033
Mute This Topic: https://groups.io/mt/21939867/929223
Group Owner: ARNewsline+owner@groups.io
Leave: https://groups.io/g/ARNewsline/leave/2103143/629458047/xyzzy
[arnewsline@ftn.wpusa.dynip.com]
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
***
As a Service to the HAM Radio Community and HAM Operators all over the world,
this Amateur Radio Newline(tm) message has been gated from the internet and
posted to you by Waldo's Place USA, fidonet node 1:3634/12. We hope you
enjoyed it!
Please address all comments and questions to the ARNewsletter editor as
described in this posting. If you have any specific questions related to the
actual posting of this message, you may address them to
hamfdn(at)wpusa.dynip.com.
Thank you and good day!
-73- ARNTE-0.1.0-OS2 build 42
(text/plain utf-8 quoted-printable)
* Origin: (1:3634/12)
|
