GB3OA REPEATER BACK IN THE GAME
JIM/ANCHOR: The EchoLink and IRLP nodes for one popular repeater in the UK
had been out of service for some time - but that's no longer the case, as
we hear from Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.
JEREMY'S REPORT: The big excitement just outside the Royal Birkdale golf
course in Southport may not have been the dramatic win of the British Open
by young American golfer Jordan Spieth. At least not for amateur radio
operators, unless they were also sports fans.
For most amateurs, the better news is that the IRLP and Echolink nodes 5302
on the nearby GB3OA repeater, have returned to service.
The repeater, which is less than two miles from the golf course where the
Open took place, had the IRLP and Echolink nodes disabled for several
weeks. According to the GB3OA website, those repairs included the purchase
and configuration of a new server.
With the nodes back in business, hams are encouraged to get back on the
repeater.
For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.
(SOUTHGATE AMATEUR RADIO NEWS)
**
BREAK HERE
Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline,
heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the Stephens County
Amateur Radio Society, N4DME repeater, in Toccoa, Georgia, Tuesday nights
at 8PM.
**
AMATEUR SERVES NASA FROM THE GROUND UP
JIM/ANCHOR: Australian amateur Tony Hutchison, VK5ZAI, was recently honored
by NASA for 20 years of work with the Amateur Radio on the International
Space Station program. He was not only there as a founding member of ARISS,
but he's actually a veteran of space communication predating the program.
John Williams, VK4JJW, has that story.
JOHN: Kingston radio operator Tony Hutchison, VK5ZAI, is proud to be the
essential link that connects hundreds of schools around the world with
astronauts aboard the International Space Station. He provides what's
known as a telebridge from his home in South Australia, which then connects
to schools around the world through a NASA phone-line patch. He told us his
first student connections were with cosmonauts on board the MIR space
station, starting in 1993:
TONY: "My first contact with manned space flight was with the MIR space station,
and Aleks Serebrov. Aleks and I developed quite a friendly
friendship, and this was back in 1993. I asked him if he could speak to
the Loxton Science Club at the Loxton High School, where I was living at
the time. He said he would be delighted to, and said he would do it in
memory of [the late Shuttle astronaut] Krista McAuliffe."
JOHN: With the creation of ARISS 3 years later, Tony formed even more
friendships in space. He also saw students become transformed - sometimes
for life - by the ARISS experience.
TONY: "It's a great experience. We have had numerous students from around
the world, move on to technology, and doing university courses, and of
course, becoming amateur radio operators as well, which is a big thing.
We always promoote the amateur radio side of things. It is great, I know
of one student in Australia, who went on to university to do space science,
and it all started from a linkup with ARISS."
JOHN: To hear Tony's first contact with Mir cosmonaut Aleksandr Serebrov through
the MIREX program, visit the our website, arnewsline.org, and
click on the tab that says "EXTRA." Meanwhile, we extend our
congratulations to Tony, VK5ZAI.
For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm John Williams, VK4JJW.
**
AUSTRALIA'S SUNSHINE COAST SHINES BRIGHTLY
JIM/ANCHOR: There's more celebration going on in Australia - this time on
the Sunshine Coast, a popular tourist destination. Turns out it's been
VERY popular with one group of hams who have a special event station under
way there. Jason Daniels, VK2LAW, has those details.
JASON: Congratulations to Australia's Sunshine Coast! Through the end of
Sptember, the Sunshine Coast Amateur Radio Club is celebrating the
half-century that's passed since the Sunshine Coast was officially named
on the first of August in 1967. That means the club will be on the air
with the special event call sign VI4SC50. The special event station has
gained the support of the Sunshine Coast Regional Council, which provided
the group with a $1,250 grant to cover the cost of certificates, and
special QSL cards. Certificates will be given to hams who have worked
three different operators, or three different bands. The renaming is
something to celebrate, says the club: the tourist destination not far
from Brisbane was formerly known as the Near North Coast. Be listening on
all bands from 160m to 23cm, and in a number of modes.
For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jason Daniels, VK2LAW.
(SUNSHINE COAST AMATEUR RADIO CLUB)
**
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