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WEDNESDAY EDITION: I am off to Burlington Lahey with the wife for yet more testing by another specialist....

In Memory of Ed Smylie, Whose Famous Hack Saved the Apollo 13 Crew

Some hacks are so great that when you die you receive the rare honor of both an obituary in the New York Times and an in memoriam article at Hackaday.

The recently deceased, Ed Smylie, was a NASA engineer leading the effort to save the crew of Apollo 13 with a makeshift gas conduit made from plastic bags and duct tape back in the year 1970. Ed died recently, on April 21, in Crossville, Tennessee, at the age of 95.

This particular hack, another in the long and storied history of duct tape, literally required putting a square peg in a round hole. After an explosion on the Apollo 13 command module the astronauts needed to escape on the lunar excursion module. But the lunar module was only designed to support two people, not three.

The problem was that there was only enough lithium hydroxide onboard the lunar module to filter the air for two people. The astronauts could salvage lithium hydroxide canisters from the command module, but those canisters were square. Ed and his team famously designed the required adapter from a small inventory of materials available on the space craft. This celebrated story has been told many times, including in the 1995 film, Apollo 13.

Thank you, Ed, for one of the greatest hacks of all time. May you rest in peace.

Header: Gas conduit adapter designed by Ed Smylie, NASA, Public domain.

Blog – Hackaday Read More

Hamvention 2025 Wrap-Up

By Cale K4HCK

Another Hamvention is in the books and this year's event was absolutely worth the 6 hour drive to reach the amateur radio promised land. From new radios, to connecting with internet friends face-to-face for the first time, there was a lot to be excited about. This year, Nate (N8FOO), the ham originally responsible for me getting into the hobby was willing to brave the long road trip and tag along with me. A road trip is always easier with good conversation and someone keeping an eye out for abandoned long-lines towers.

Hermes Project

One of the most compelling projects that we came across at the show was the Hermes project from Rhizomatica. Talking with this group was refreshing. The project aims to get dead simple, yet capable communications hardware into rural areas that don't have reliable internet or cellular service. The goal is to keep communities connected.

What really stands out with Hermes is the focus on simplicity when it comes to building a solution. The transceivers are built around an extremely simple interface that is unsurpassed in the world of amateur radio. Tap to send a message, type out the message to send, and tap once more to send the message. Perfect for their end users relying on a tool to survive.

Oh, and they're working on an Open Source replacement for VARA.

Meshtastic

One of the more exciting pieces of technology that I was anxious to see in action was the amateur radio adjacent Meshtastic project. They even had a special firmware set up just for the convention. However, I was somewhat disappointed in the lack of activity. While it worked well and I was able to exchange a couple messages, there just weren't that many nodes. Maybe 2 dozen or so? I was expecting exponentially more. I'll be curious to hear what others experienced.

DX Engineering and Summit Racing

We finally saw the crossover that ham radio and racing enthusiasts have been waiting for with a joint display from Summit Racing and DX Engineering. Maybe a race spec Miata outfitted with ham gear next year?

Zero Retries and IP400

IP400 was on display alongside the MMDVM group. It was exciting to not only see this project functioning, but to see it come together in a relatively short time span. Steve Stroh (N8GNJ) and Martin Alcock (VE6VH) have been pushing hard to get to this point and I'm excited to see what the next 6 months bring. But beyond IP400 we had the chance to spend some time with Steve Saturday night and just talk about all kinds of different aspects of amateur radio and technology. We did our best to solve all the problems, from figuring out how to light up dark repeaters to the best path to modernize the premiere publishers of amateur radio content.

No one else is doing the in-depth exploration of cutting edge technology in the world of ham radio like Steve is. Zero Retries should be required reading for all hams interested in the future of ham radio.

Hamvention Awards

Once again I was invited to attend the Hamvention Awards Banquet and once again it was a surreal experience. A number of exceptional hams were honored. We had the chance to speak with Dr. Kristina Collins (KD8OXT) who was presented the Hamvention Technical Achievement Award for her work helping to develop the HamSCI Personal Space Weather Station Network. We also spent a few minutes with Julio Ripoll (WD4R) the recipient of the 2025 Special Achievement Award. He was instrumental in getting an amateur radio station into the National Hurricane Center in Miami back in 1980. I mentioned my experience with hurricane Andrew when living in Miami in 1992 and learned that Julio designed the repairs to the Turkey Point Nuclear Plant which sustained damage after a direct hit from Andrew. Incredible stories and the people behind them are uncovered at the awards banquet. Thanks to Michael Kalter (W8CI) and the awards committee for such incredible access. Hamvention is providing a great service by calling out and honoring the best of the amateur radio community.

AI and Amateur Radio

We haven't yet seen AI become as pervasive in the world of Amateur Radio as it has become in the tech sector, but there were two notable points of progress to relay coming out of Hamvention. The first point has been well published, but it's worth calling out again that RADE is a digital voice mode that is built with assistance from LLMs and the result is quite possibly some of the highest quality digital audio over low-bandwidth RF available.

The other point is not as widely known. The TAPR booth was showing off a project from the Time-Nuts (aka Time Lords) in which the entire Time-Nuts email mailing list (going back 30 years) was combined with additional Time-Nuts documentation and indexed by an LLM. The result was a locally running instance of an AI assistant capable of returning answers relevant to any question related to precise time keeping. Hopefully this tool will be available to a wider audience, soon. We're likely to see more examples of libraries of information being made available in similar fashion.

Amateur Radio Has a Bright Future

In the end, Hamvention illustrates the strong community that makes up amateur radio. If you can look past the surface level aspects of the hobby that most of us are well familiar with, there's an incredible amount of people working really hard to advance this hobby for the next generation. One of the most encouraging sights at Hamvention was the group of college students huddled around the ARRL Collegiate Amateur Radio Program booth. The numbers were strong. Between the younger generation simply showing up and the older generation working to foster relationships with newer hams, the hobby is in good hands.

TUESDAY EDITION: After 5 hours on yesterdays hospital trip I am taking the day off from everything, we have another appointment on Wednesday for more testing. My wife is going thru it all, God bless her...French defense firm CILAS has unveiled a portable laser rifle, the HELMA-LP — a system that could become a critical asset on tomorrow’s battlefields. Few armed forces have a more urgent need for such capabilities than Ukraine’s.

Amateur radio spirit continues all over world, but gathers at Xenia’s Hamvention (Ohio)

Thousands yet again flocked to Xenia this weekend for the annual Dayton Hamvention, arguably the world’s largest gathering of amateur radio enthusiasts.

Asked what brings thousands of “hams” back to the Dayton region every single year, Hamvention General Chair Brian Markland said it’s the people on the other side of the radio, wherever they are in the world.

“There really doesn’t seem to be a very good modern equivalent to it,” he said. “We are, at heart, explorers in this world, but we’re exploring it through radio. Rather than hiking, rather than boating, rather than climbing ice, we explore the world through radio.”

Hamvention has been held annually since 1952, save for a two-year pause during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Read more – Dayton Daily News: https://bit.ly/4jXun6Y

Tracking the Sun? Nah!

If you want solar power, you usually have to make a choice. You can put a solar panel in a fixed location and accept that it will only put out the maximum when the sun is properly positioned. Or, you can make the panels move to track the sun.

While this isn’t difficult, it does add cost and complexity, plus mechanical systems usually need more maintenance. According to [Xavier Derdenback], now that solar panels are cheaper than ever, it is a waste of money to make a tracking array. Instead, you can build a system that looks to the east and the west. The math says it is more cost effective.

The idea is simple. If you have panels facing each direction, then one side will do better than the other side in the morning. The post points out that a tracking setup, of course, will produce more power. That’s not the argument. However, for a given power output, the east-west solution has lower installation costs and uses less land.

Letting the post speak for itself:

East-West arrays are simple. They consist of parallel strings of PV modules that are oriented in opposing directions, one facing East and the other West. The current of the whole array is the summation of these string currents, effectively letting East-West arrays capture sunlight from dawn till dusk, similar to a tracked array.

So what do you think? Are solar trackers old hat? If you want one, they don’t have to be very complex. But still easier to just double your panels.

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MONDAY EDITION: I am taking the xyl to Burlington Lahey for more testing at 930am, I bet the ride down RT128 takes two hours in commuter traffic....I will update the page when I get home.,,I am still wondering how a 300 foot Mexican Naval ship ran into the Brooklyn Bridge. I saw pictures on tv, it looks like  floating piñata....Why does Mexico have a naval vessel, they can't even control the border and the cartels own the police and military....and why the hell is the Mexican Navy cruising around the Brooklyn Bridge? I bet they use Baofeng for communications....

What Happened to WWW.?

Once upon a time, typing “www” at the start of a URL was as automatic as breathing. And yet, these days, most of us go straight to “hackaday.com” without bothering with those three letters that once defined the internet.

Have you ever wondered why those letters were there in the first place, and when exactly they became optional? Let’s dig into the archaeology of the early web and trace how this ubiquitous prefix went from essential to obsolete.created by Tim Berners-Lee at CERN in 1990. Running on a NeXT workstation employed as a server, the site could be accessed at a simple URL: “http//info.cern.ch/”—no WWW needed. Berners-Lee had invented the World Wide Web, and called it as such, but he hadn’t included the prefix in his URL at all. So where did it come from?

As it turns out, the www prefix largely came about due to prevailing trends on the early Internet. It had become typical to separate out different services on a domain by using subdomains. For example, a company might have FTP access on http://ftp.company.com, while the SMTP server would be accessed via the smpt.company.com subdomain. In turn, when it came to establish a server to run a World Wide Web page, network administrators followed existing convention. Thus, they would put the WWW server on the www. subdomain, creating http://www.company.com.

This soon became standard practice, and in short order, was expected by members of the broader public as the joined the Internet in the late 1990s. It wasn’t long before end users were ignoring the http:// prefix at the start of domains, as web browsers didn’t really need you to type that in. However, www. had more of a foothold in the public consciousness. Along with “.com”, it became an obvious way for companies to highlight their new fancy website in their public facing marketing materials. For many years, this was simply how things were done. Users expected to type “www” before a domain name, and thus it became an ingrained part of the culture.

Eventually, though, trends shifted. For many domains, web traffic was the sole dominant use, so it became somewhat unnecessary to fold web traffic under its own subdomain. There was also a technological shift when the HTTP/1.1 protocol was introduced in 1999, with the “Host” header enabling multiple domains to be hosted on a single server. This, along with tweaks to DNS, also made it trivial to ensure “www.yoursite.com” and “yoursite.com” went to the same place. Beyond that, fashion-forward companies started dropping the leading www. for a cleaner look in marketing. Eventually, this would become the norm, with “www.” soon looking old hat.

Of course, today, “www” is mostly dying out, at least as far as the industry and most end users are concerned. Few of us spend much time typing in URLs by hand these days, and fewer of us could remember the last time we felt the need to include “www.” at the beginning. Of course, if you want to make your business look out of touch, you could still include www. on your marketing materials, but people might think you’re an old fuddy duddy.

Using the www. prefix can still have some value when it comes to cookies, however. If you don’t use the prefix and someone goes to yoursite.com, that cookie would be sent to all subdomains. However, if your main page is set up at http://www.yoursite.com, it’s effectively on it’s own subdomain, along with any others you might have… like store.yoursite.com, blog.yoursite.com, and so on. This allows cookies to be more effectively managed across a site spanning multiple subdomains.

In any case, most browsers have taken a stance against the significance of “www”. Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Edge all hide the prefix even when you are technically visiting a website that does still use the www. subdomain (like http://www.microsoft.com). You can try it yourself in Chrome—head over to a www. site and watch as the prefix disappears from the taskbar. If you really want to know if you’re on a www subdomain or not, though, you can click into the taskbar and it will give you the full URL, HTTP:// or HTTPS:// included, and all.

The “www” prefix stands as a reminder that the internet is a living, evolving thing. Over time, technical necessities become conventions, conventions become habits, and habits eventually fade away when they no longer serve a purpose. Yet we still see those three letters pop up on the Web now and then, a digital vestigial organ from the early days of the web. The next time you mindlessly type a URL without those three Ws, spare a thought for this small piece of internet history that shaped how we access information for decades. Largely gone, but not yet quite forgotten.

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WEEKEND EDITION: Rain, thunder, and lightning this morning, another reason not to launch the boat today.

Amateur Radio Roundtable to Broadcast Live from Hamvention

A special two day live webcast will take place at Hamvention in Xenia, Ohio on Friday and Saturday. For hams unable to attend Hamvention in person, Amateur Radio Roundtable will provide multiple video feeds and reporters covering the event. The live stream will be active both May 16th and 17th from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Eastern time. Viewers can watch on the W5KUB YouTube channel or w5kub.com. A live chat will also be available.

ARRL Coverage of 2025 Dayton Hamvention – Friday, May 16

Friday was opening day at 2025 Dayton Hamvention® and it was a day of superlatives — huge crowds coming through the gates, standing room only at “Salty Walt” Hudson’s portable antenna forum, and more as hams from across the country and around the world descended on the Greene County Fairgrounds in Xenia, Ohio for the first of three days of total immersion in all things ham radio.

At the many booths that make up the ARRL Expo area, crowds were constant, and sentiments were similar among the employees, board members, and volunteers who staffed them. ARRL CEO David Minster, NA2AA, was in the meet and greet area and talked with ARRL members nearly non-stop the whole day.

At the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES®) booth, ARRL Director of Emergency Management Josh Johnston, KE5MHV, said “It’s busy. I love it! Hamvention is an awesome opportunity to talk to hams, find out what’s going on in the field, and share ideas,” adding, “It’s a unique opportunity to hear about problems and successes and try to help get issues resolved.” He also noted that informal conversations with influential visitors can often have far-reaching benefits.

Across the aisle at the ARRL Foundation booth, Development Operations Manager Christine Lessard, KC1TDM, said she “enjoyed connecting with clubs that have received club grants and answering questions about scholarship programs.” Lessard added that “It’s exciting to talk about all the good that the Foundation does for the amateur radio community.”

Read more

American Radio Relay League | Ham Radio Association and Resources – Read More

Amateur Radio Newsline Report

IARU OUTLINES RE-ENGINEERED VISION, ELIMINATING REGIONAL ENTITIES

DON/ANCHOR: Our top story this week is the International Amateur Radio Union. Marking 100 years of representing member countries around the world and coordinating frequencies and other concerns, the organization enters its second century with one big change on its mind. We have those details from Graham Kemp VK4BB.

GRAHAM: Imagine, for a moment, an IARU without separate entities known as Region 1, Region, 2 and Region 3. Imagine a total restructuring that would create a single global entity, erasing the discrete regions separated by oceans, languages and cultures.

The IARU has announced that it is considering just that and has released a proposal to unite the independent regions as one, combined with the International Secretariat, to streamline decision-making, to better coordinate shared concerns and to bolster membership in regions where it is declining. The IARU's administrative headquarters is presently based at the ARRL in the United States.

The IARU has released guidance on potential restructuring to help the organization meet modern challenges. The proposed changes would combine the 3 separate regional organizations into a single global entity.

The proposal (PDF) outlines a number of areas where the currently independent, regional organizations struggle. Problem areas include declining membership, duplication of resources, lack of coordination, and other various inefficiencies. The changes are designed to establish a number of benefits:

This overwhelming change would not happen overnight, of course. The IARU will be asking member societies to vote after they have reviewed the consultation on restructuring, which is available on the IARU website. Any changes that are approved would not take place before next year.

This is Graham Kemp VK4BB.

(IARU)

**
UNIVERSITY IN ROME LOGS QSOs TO WELCOME NEW POPE

DON/ANCHOR: If you were lucky enough to work HV5PUL in Rome recently, you were part of this small university-based station's celebration that a new pope had been elected. Jeremy Boot G4NJH tells us about the activation.

JEREMY: Two days after the conclave of cardinals had elected Pope Leo XIV, amateur radio station HV5PUL - the Pontifical Lateran University - was on the air in the Vatican City State in the heart of Rome, celebrating. The station's administrator, Luca Della Giovampaola, IWØDJB, reported that traffic was lively on 20 metres SSB and 17 metres FT8. He said that the simple 100-watt station logged an estimated 400 contacts in four hours. Propagation was challenging and so, with the exception of one Japanese station , all the contacts were within Europe.

It's not often a new pope is chosen nor that HV5PUL is put on the air. Luca said the callsign is active mainly on Saturdays in connection with special occasions, such as the opening day of the university's academic year -- and of course, the election of a new pope.

This is Jeremy Boot G4NJH.

(LUCA DELLA GIOVAMPAOLA, IWØDJB)

**
HISTORIC TURNOUT FOR BANGLADESH HAM RADIO EXAM

DON/ANCHOR: Amateur radio test-taking hit an all-time high among candidates in Bangladesh recently. John Williams VK4JJW is here to explain what happened.

JOHN: A record number of candidates showed up to take Bangladesh's amateur radio exam on Friday, May 9th, a total estimated at more than 900 participants. The Amateur Radio Society of Bangladesh said on its website that [quote] "this remarkable figure represents the highest number of participants ever recorded for an amateur radio exam in Bangladesh's history." [endquote]

Weeks of preparation had gone into preparing candidates for the exam by offering online seminars as well as in-person training and workshops. There was also a field day as well as classes in basic electronics and antenna-building. The amateur radio society said there was great support from the Bangladesh Vespa Community, a community-service group of motorised-scooter enthusiasts - many of whom also took the exam, which was organised by the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission.

It was not yet known how many of the candidates were successful in getting their licence.

This is John Williams VK4JJW.

(AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY OF BANGLADESH)

**
SILENT KEY: THE QSO RADIO SHOW'S TED RANDALL, WB8PUM

DON: Ted Randall, WB8PUM, host and founder of the QSO Radio Show heard on shortwave stations WTWW and WRMI passed away on Sunday, May 11th after a long illness. Born Ted Randall Klimkowski in Dearborn Heights, Michigan, Ted graduated from Robichaud High School in 1969. Ted was a broadcast engineer in Detroit and, later, Nashville. His sons, David and Matt, are also engineers.

Ted was known for his deep voice and velvety delivery on the QSO Radio Show. If it was of interest to amateurs, Ted covered it. He also covered the paranormal. He said "if it flies over your head and can't be identified or goes bump in the night, we talk about it." He did several live shows from just outside the gates of Area 51 in Nevada.

Ted was a huge supporter of the Amateur Radio Newsline Bill Pasternak WA6ITF Young Ham of the Year award. During his live broadcasts from the Huntsville Hamfest, the QSO Radio Show was usually the first stop after the presentation for a sit down on air with Ted. He also did live broadcasts from the Dayton Hamvention.

For several years, the Ham Nation television audio was simulcast by Ted on WTWW.

He is survived by his wife Holly and two sons. Fittingly, he was 73 years of age.


**
ARRL'S RENEWED CALLS TO FCC INCLUDE PLEA FOR TECHNICIANS' HF PRIVILEGES

DON/ANCHOR: The FCC's recent request for suggestions about eliminating or modifying any and all regulations has become an opportunity for the ARRL to renew some of its recent proposals to the regulator, as we hear from Andy Morrison K9AWM.

ANDY: The ARRL has renewed an earlier plea that the FCC grant HF privileges to Technician class radio amateurs. The revival of this proposed change is prominent on a long list the league has drawn up for the commission, responding to the federal government's goal to eliminate certain FCC regulations or guidelines. The league is asking that Technicians gain phone privileges on 80 metres, 40 metres and 15 metres along with RTTY and digital privileges. This is not the only previous petition the league is pressing for as part of the commission's announced changes. It is also asking that sub-band boundaries be adjusted on 80 and 75 metres to correct what it calls an "imbalance" that doesn't reflect the increased presence of digital operations. The ARRL is also underscoring its belief that baud rate and bandwidth limitations should be eliminated on certain amateur LF and VHF/UHF bands. This FCC initiative was announced in its Further Notice of Proposed Rule making in 2023.

The FCC initiative was contained in its Docket Number 25-133 which has been referred to as the "Delete, Delete, Delete" docket.

This is Andy Morrison K9AWM.

(RADIOWORLD, FCC)

**
HAMS EXEMPT FROM SOUTH CAROLINA LAW BANNING HANDHELDS

DON/ANCHOR: There's good news for hams in South Carolina, where a new law will ban most handheld devices from use behind the wheel of a moving vehicle. Kevin Trotman N5PRE has those details.

KEVIN: South Carolina is about to become the 32nd state in the US to exempt amateur radio operators from a law that bans drivers of motor vehicles from using hand-held devices.

After it is signed into law by Gov. Henry McMaster, the measure is to take effect on September 1st. Although it prohibits drivers from using portable computers, GPS receives, mobile phones, electronic games or other communication devices, the bill exempts operators of amateur, citizens bad, commercial and emergency radios.

Members of the state Senate and House of Representatives passed different versions of the Hands-Free and Distracted Driving Act earlier this year - overwhelmingly. They recently agreed to resolve the differences in both versions and send it in its final form, to the governor.

A similar law in Iowa - also with a ham radio exemption - is set to take effect on the 1st of July, joining a growing number of states around the US.

This is Kevin Trotman N5PRE.

(SCSTATEHOUSE.GOV; WYFF CHANNEL 4, WIS-TV)

**
HAMS EXEMPT FROM DISTRACTED-DRIVING LAW THAT BEGINS JUNE 5

DON/ANCHOR: A similar law takes effect on the 5th of June in Pennsylvania, where drivers will be banned from using handheld mobile devices while behind the wheel of a moving car. As with many distracted-driving laws passed recently, this law also exempts amateur radio operators and emergency responders. The measure is known as Paul Miller’s Law, bearing the name of the 21-year-old man struck and killed by a motorist distracted by a phone in 2010.

**
NOMINATE OUR NEXT YOUNG HAM OF THE YEAR

DON/ANCHOR: Nominations close on the 31st of this month for Newsline's Bill Pasternak Memorial Young Ham of the Year Award. Do you know a promising young amateur who is a potential candidate? Consider nominating an amateur radio operator 18 years of age or younger here in the continental United States. If they have talent, promise and a commitment to the spirit of ham radio they might just be this year's award winner. Find application forms on our website, arnewsline.org, under the "AWARDS" tab.

**

PROJECT KUIPER LAUNCHES ITS FIRST SATELLITES

DON/ANCHOR: After a series of delays that pushed its first satellite launch well past its target date of early 2024, Amazon's new broadband internet constellation project has moved ahead with its first liftoff. We have those details from Kent Peterson KCØDGY.

KENT: The broadband internet constellation known as Project Kuiper is on its way at last, following the launch on Monday, April 28th of its first 27 satellites from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Amazon envisions its long-anticipated $10-billion project as a direct challenge to the massive SpaceX Starlink network, which dominates the market, as well as Eutelsat OneWeb, AT&T and T-Mobile. Ultimately Project Kuiper will send 3,236 satellites into low-Earth orbit, making its global broadband service accessible to rural and underserved regions.

A mandate by the US Federal Communications Commission requires Amazon to deploy 1,618 - or half - of its satellites by the middle of next year. Analysts speculate that the company may seek an extension on that date as a result of the delays.

This is Kent Peterson KCØDGY.

(AMSAT NEWS SERVICE, REUTERS)

**
AMSAT SETS OCTOBER DATE FOR SYMPOSIUM, MEETING

DON/ANCHOR: October seems like a long way off but to planners of the 43rd Annual AMSAT Space Symposium & Annual General Meeting, it's just around the corner. Organizers have already sent out a "save the date" notice for the weekend of October 16th and have published a general schedule that runs for four days. Meetings and presentations will be hosted at the Holiday Inn & Suites Phoenix Airport North in Arizona, convenient to Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport.

The board of directors will meet on Thursday the 16th of October and again on Friday the 17th of October, the same day that the symposium presentations will begin. The annual general meeting will be on Saturday, the 18th of October. The morning of Sunday, the 19th of October - the closing day - has been set aside for the members' breakfast. More specific details will be made public as soon as they become available.

(AMSAT NEWS SERVICE)

**
AWARD RECOGNIZES WSPR RADIO "DETECTIVES"

DON/ANCHOR: DUBUS, a magazine that is popular with amateurs around the world who focus on VHF and higher frequencies, is posing a challenge -- and offering a reward. It involves a little radio detective work, as we hear from Jeremy Boot G4NJH.

JEREMY: The international ham radio magazine for enthusiasts operating VHF and up has announced it will award a prize this year to a radio operator studying the scientific validity of global passive WSPR radar in locating aircraft. The theory came to prominence following the use of WSPR log data in the search for the doomed Malaysian flight MH370, which disappeared in 2014 en route to Beijing.

The journal, which publishes four times a year in English and German, has created this award to mark the 75th anniversary of the DARC and the 100th anniversary of the International Amateur Radio Union. The total prize award is 7,500 euros - the equivalent of $8,450 US - and is in three categories: 1,500 Euros, or $1,600, for proof involving large passenger or cargo aircraft; 2,500 Euros, or $2,800, for proof involving smaller aircraft; 3,500 Euros, almost $4,000 for proof involving helicopters.

Studies should be submitted in either English or German and in PDF format to the email address that appears in the text version of this week's newscast at arnewsline.org by the entry deadline of 31st of December. [DO NOT READ: DUBUS@t-online.de ]

This is Jeremy Boot G4NJH

(DUBUS)

**
WORLD OF DX

Morten, LA9GY, is using the callsign 3DAØGY while operating holiday style from Eswatini from the 22nd of May through to the 2nd of June. Morten will be using CW and some SSB, concentrating on 20, 15 and 10 metres. He may also operate on other HF bands. See QRZ.com for QSL details.

Listen for OT25EPIC, the special callsign of the Antwerp Port Contest Club, ON8APC, which is on the air to promote this year's edition of the Antwerp Port Epic cycling race. The callsign will be on the air between the 10th of May and the 9th of June, which is the day of the race. QSL via ON8JJ.

The International Amateur Radio Club at ITU headquarters in Geneva is using the callsign 4UØITU from the 16th of May through to the end of the year. This is to mark the 160th anniversary of the International Telecommunication Union.

Jose, HP2AT, is using the special callsign H82AT, to mark his 35th anniversary in amateur radio. He is on the air through to the 31st of December. Paper cards are not available. See QRZ.com for details.

(425 DX BULLETIN)

**

KICKER: WHEN THE "STATION IDENTIFICATION" IS A BINARY STAR SYSTEM

DON/ANCHOR: We end this week's newscast with the story of some mystery radio signals that are mysteries no more. Thanks to researchers, there's been some "station identification." We learn more from Travis Lisk N3ILS.

TRAVIS: Think of them as the dynamic duo of the universe: No, they're not caped crusaders but a red dwarf star and a white dwarf, a dead star. Together, they have been sending a steady radio pulse every two hours for at least 10 years.

Scientists have heard their transmission but until recently no one knew the source of the sounds, which appeared to emanate from the direction of the Big Dipper. This past spring, the signals were found to come from a binary system - two stars - that send the pulse by repeated contact between their magnetic fields. Researchers cracked the mystery with the help of a low-frequency array radio telescope. The discovery debunks the long-held belief that only highly magnetized neutron stars known as magnetars, can emit such pulses.

This challenge to the old way of thinking opens up the chance to explore other mysteries and binary systems.

Researchers call this binary star system ILTJ1101 [EYE ELL TEE JAY ONE ONE ZERO ONE]. Although it sounds like a very large and exotic callsign for this long-distance transmitter, it's not. Still, with all those steady, regular signals over the years, this pair surely deserves some kind of operating award.

FRIDAY EDITION: It was lousy out yesterday so I spent 4 hours or so playing with the Yaesu 950 adjusting the many menu settings. I am not a fan of the Yaesu menu system but overall I got it playing pretty well. I notice the rx audio has a little too much bass and there are not  a lot of menu items to change the rx sound (plenty on the tx side with  eq settings)....overall a nice radio, I will play on transmit today as soon as I get the LDG cable from HRO to connect the auto tuner.

ARRL Reconsidered MAY 12, 2025 ~ RADIOARTISAN

A friend of mine asked recently if perhaps our angst over ARRL was misguided. There is a segment of hams that will hate the ARRL for any reason, often stupid, irrelevant reasons. I still encounter people who are angry about incentive licensing or claim the ARRL is against CW despite running daily CW bulletins. Naturally we should be angry over nefarious activities like canning directors for questionable conflict of interest claims or running shadow boards, but perhaps the decline of ARRL and its membership numbers is just due to the overall decline in the number of people interested in participating in organizations, and out of their control. We see it everywhere, from churches, to fraternal community organizations, to ham clubs with many withering away due to lack of interest. To an extent, I think he’s right. If you were a maker of buggy whips in the early 1900’s, your ox was undoubtedly going to get gored with the advent of the automobile. Amateur radio itself is in a bit of decline. If the demand for an organization to support something just isn’t there, there isn’t much an organization dedicated to that thing can do. But I’d also argue the answer is a bit more complicated and nuanced.

Let’s break down what ARRL is to people. I think there are two buckets: those who see it as a magazine and publication company / content provider and those who see it like the “NRA of amateur radio”. From a magazine and publisher perspective, they have fallen behind. Magazines are dying and ARRL continues to hold tight to the “we publish a monthly periodical” way of publishing. They haven’t embraced any real sort of new electronic media; the app the publications are on is just a replacement for paper. Complicating this, there are a lot of members who feel stiffed they don’t get a paper copy in their hands each month, at least not without paying more for it. Another problem with ARRL’s magazine model and magazines in general is they just can’t compete with the breadth and timeliness of the Internet, like social media, groups, websites, or good ole email reflectors. Take me, for example. I like to build stuff. Is it likely the one article they’ll have in QST next https://blog.radioartisan.com/2025/05/12/arrl-reconsidered/ 1/4 5/13/25, 9:53 AM ARRL Reconsidered – Radio Artisan month will strike my fancy? Maybe, but probably not. I’m on a few QRP Groups.io groups. I see several postings a week that interest me and often cause me to jot stuff in my design notebook. If I’m a creator and have some great new thing to show the world, am I going to wait six months for my article to get published? No, I’m going to get it out on the Internet in some form or fashion and interact with other like-minded people who want to talk about this new great thing.

In the world of “ARRL is a magazine subscription”, they have fallen short, clinging to an old, outdated model. ARRL could have also embraced and even owned amateur radio social media and integrated this in with a content publication strategy, but they totally missed the boat on this, too. The time to do this would have been back when QRZ.com changed from selling CDs to a Slashdot-clone amateur radio site and eHam was trying to be the same thing with a lousily-colored and formatted website. Both sites early on showed just how toxic mismanaged social media could be, and ARRL could have beat them all and done it much better. But they didn’t, and later they didn’t even attempt to have a notable, focused presence on social media like Facebook. They kept within their sandbox of QST and field staff shaking hands at dwindling hamfests. Then there’s the segment that considers ARRL the NRA of amateur radio. They advocate, protect, lobby, and provide services. The NRA peddles fear, fear that “they” are going to take “your” guns away. It’s how they rile up and motivate membership and keep, or rather kept the dollars flowing in so Wayne LaPierre could live the good life. But beyond lobbying and money scandals they offer everything a gun owner might want. What does ARRL peddle? Preservation. They promise to preserve amateur radio and the status quo, and occasionally raise some funds with spectrum defense.

 Why does ARRL still run the antiquated NTS, or push emcomm so much? Why aren’t they really involved with digital standards or pushing open systems and software? It’s easy to do what you’ve been doing for decades, and hard to do something new. You can buy a brick paver with your name on it that will adorn the back patio at HQ, and will let future generations of hams know of your kind generosity long after you’re SK and forgotten. ARRL is like amateur radio formaldehyde. Ham radio may eventually die, but they’re going to keep it from rotting. However, it will smell a bit funky.

 The Maker movement is the bridge to the future of amateur radio. Makers are tinkerers, like amateur radio used to be. They are essentially amateur radio operators without the radios, FCC licenses, and the “historical baggage” of their hobby, like amateur radio (we gotta do emcomm, “we provide a service to the public”, “we got to make up reasons to ham like ‘I need to collect all 50 states’ “, etc.). You look at their publications and websites and they’re just full of energy and ideas. Makers don’t need cringey magazine covers with a teenage girl awkwardly posing, touching the VFO knob of a rig she’s never used. They don’t have gatekeepers like amateur radio, where 2/4 https://blog.radioartisan.com/2025/05/12/arrl-reconsidered/ 5/13/25, 9:53 AM ARRL Reconsidered – Radio Artisan one has know some code to be a “real ham”.

They don’t care if you have purple hair, or if you have an in-y or an out-y, or both. They don’t care if you sleep with someone with an in-y or an out-y. Or both. Interest and curiosity alone is enough to validate one as a Maker, and there’s no pecking order based on what tests you passed, how many 59s you exchange on a weekend and there are no “collect all X” of something as a rite of passage. Makers like new cutting-edge hardware and old, antiquated (“retro“) hardware just as much. They’ll even combine both and make things like a Raspberry Pi driving old Nixie tubes. Why? Because they can. Most makers may never have touched a ham radio, but on a philosophical level they get why one would want to pump Morse code through a satellite, or take four diodes, a DDS module, and an audio amp chip and make a direct conversion receiver. ARRL continues to this day to fail to recognize the opportunity we have with Makers.

While the changing winds over the decades may have made ARRL unneeded or obsolete, I’d still call what has happened a failure of leadership, and it was preventable. With a for-profit company there is a life cycle graph that looks something like a hill. Companies start up, grow in adolescence, mature and reach a peak, get over the hill, and later die. A skillful business leader will recognize where an organization is at in the cycle and “re-invent” the business after a peak to create a new upswing, and a new, higher peak. I think the same applies to a non-profit like ARRL. The current CEO naturally can’t take all the blame, in righting the ship but he doesn’t seem too interested (https://www.kb6nu.com/another-arrl-member-lost/).

 We could probably trace ARRL failures in leadership all the way back to the 70s. In recent ARRL history there was only one innovator CEO, and he was unceremoniously canned. It was said he was unconventional and a bit disruptive; that was exactly what ARRL needed, and still needs today. While all ARRL CEOs were undoubtedly successful in business in their careers, I sense most were looking for a sort of “retirement position” as an ARRL CEO, pulling a paycheck but not having to really bust their butts or make waves. Until ARRL gets out of the business of preserving itself as an ongoing entity, the organization will continue its journey into irrelevancy

Hacky Shack? The TRS-80 Model I Story

The 1970s saw a veritable goldrush to corner the home computer market, with Tandy’s Z80-powered TRS-80 probably one of the most (in)famous entries. Designed from the ground up to be as cheap as possible, the original (Model I) TRS-80 cut all corners management could get away with. The story of the TRS-80 Model I is the subject of a recent video by the [Little Car] YouTube channel.

Having the TRS-80 sold as an assembled computer was not a given, as kits were rather common back then, especially since Tandy’s Radio Shack stores had their roots in selling radio kits and the like, not computer systems. Ultimately the system was built around the lower-end 1.78 MHz Z80 MPU with the rudimentary Level I BASIC (later updated to Level II), though with a memory layout that made running the likes of CP/M impossible. The Model II would be sold later as a dedicated business machine, with the Model III being the actual upgrade to the Model I. You could also absolutely access online services like those of Compuserve on your TRS-80.

While it was appreciated that the TRS-80 (lovingly called the ‘Trash-80’ by some) had a real keyboard instead of a cheap membrane keyboard, the rest of the Model I hardware had plenty of issues, and new FCC regulations meant that the Model III was required as the Model I produced enough EMI to drown out nearby radios. Despite this, the Model I put Tandy on the map of home computers, opened the world of computing to many children and adults, with subsequent Tandy TRS-80 computers being released until 1991 with the Model 4.

Blog – Hackaday Read More

Hamvention: Thousands flocking to Xenia this weekend for amateur radio show (Ohio)

The world’s largest amateur radio convention returns to the Greene County Fair and Expo Center this weekend, with a slate of new and classic experiences for ham radio fans of all ages.

Hamvention brought over 35,000 amateur radio enthusiasts and over 700 volunteers to Xenia last May, and organizers have seen “equally exciting” ticket sales for 2025. For comparison, the population of the entire city of Xenia is only about 25,000.

Hamvention will be held Friday, Saturday, and Sunday this weekend at the Greene County Fairgrounds and Expo Center. Gates open at 9 a.m.

The theme for 2025 is Radio Independence, said General Chair Brian Markland, which he said ”celebrates the freedom and resilience that have always defined amateur radio. From the earliest spark transmissions to today’s global digital modes, hams have pushed the boundaries of innovation, service, and community.”

Read more – https://bit.ly/3S8y8KD

THURSDAY EDITION: Good morning hamdom, I am bringing home a Yaesu FT950 and going to try it out on cw and ssb and see how it performs...

Triggering Lightning and Safely Guiding It Using a Drone

Every year lightning strikes cause a lot of damage — with the high-voltage discharges being a major risk to buildings, infrastructure, and the continued existence of squishy bags of mostly salty water. While some ways exist to reduce their impact such as lightning rods, these passive systems can only be deployed in select locations and cannot prevent the build-up of the charge that leads up to the plasma discharge event. But the drone-based system recently tested by Japan’s NTT, the world’s fourth largest telecommunications company, could provide a more proactive solution.

The idea is pretty simple: fly a drone that is protected by a specially designed metal cage close to a thundercloud with a conductive tether leading back to the ground. By providing a very short path to ground, the built-up charge in said cloud will readily discharge into this cage and from there back to the ground.

To test this idea, NTT researchers took commercial drones fitted with such a protective cage and exposed them to artificial lightning. The drones turned out to be fine up to 150 kA which is five times more than natural lightning. Afterwards the full system was tested with a real thunderstorm, during which the drone took a hit and kept flying, although the protective cage partially melted.

Expanding on this experiment, NTT imagines that a system like this could protect cities and sensitive areas, and possibly even use and store the thus captured energy rather than just leading it to ground. While this latter idea would need some seriously effective charging technologies, the idea of proactively discharging thunderclouds is perhaps not so crazy. We would need to see someone run the numbers on the potential effectiveness, of course, but we are all in favor of (safe) lightning experiments like this.

If you’re wondering why channeling lightning away from critical infrastructure is such a big deal, you may want to read up on Apollo 12.

Blog – Hackaday Read More

 

WEDNESDAY EDITION: Great club meeting this morning followed by a nice lunch at the Elks on the Ocean with a few hams...

ARRL Renews Defense of the 902-928 MHz Amateur Radio Band

Hells Gate radio club wants equipment back

Amazing Oscilloscope Demo Scores The Win At Revision 2025

Classic demos from the demoscene are all about showing off one’s technical prowess, with a common side order of a slick banging soundtrack. That’s precisely what [BUS ERROR Collective] members [DJ_Level_3] and [Marv1994] delivered with their prize-winning Primer demo this week.

This demo is a grand example of so-called “oscilloscope music”—where two channels of audio are used to control an oscilloscope in X-Y mode. The sounds played determine the graphics on the screen, as we’ve explored previously.

The real magic is when you create very cool sounds that also draw very cool graphics on the oscilloscope. The Primer demo achieves this goal perfectly. Indeed, it’s intended as a “primer” on the very artform itself, starting out with some simple waveforms and quickly spiraling into a graphical wonderland of spinning shapes and morphing patterns, all to a sweet electronic soundtrack. It was created with a range of tools, including Osci-Render and apparently Ableton 11, and the recording performed on a gorgeous BK Precision Model 2120 oscilloscope in a nice shade of green.

If you think this demo is fully sick, you’re not alone. It took out first place in the Wild category at the Revision 2025 demo party, as well as the Crowd Favorite award. High praise indeed.

We love a good bit of demoscene magic around these parts.

Thanks to [STrRedWolf] for the tip!

Blog – Hackaday Read More

TUESDAY EDITION: We are selling a Yaesu FT950, very low op time for the club, I thought I would go over and try it out and take some pictures. I think instead of eBay I will use Craigslist and try to sell locally.

Train With Morse Master

Morse code can be daunting to learn when you’re new to the game, particularly if you need it to pass your desired radio license. However, these days, there are a great many tools to aid in the learning process. A good example is the Morse Master from [Arnov Sharma].

The Morse Master is a translator for Morse code, which works in two ways. You can access it via a web app, and type in regular letters which it then flashes out as code on its in-built LEDs. Alternatively, you can enter Morse manually using the physical key, and the results will be displayed on the web app. The Morse key itself is built into the enclosure using 3D printed components paired with a Cherry-style keyboard switch. It’s perhaps not the ideal solution for fast keying, with its limited rebound, but it’s a quick and easy way to make a functional key for practice purposes. If you want to go faster, though, you might want to upgrade to something more capable. We’d also love to see a buzzer added, since Morse is very much intended as an auditory method of communication.

We’ve seen some other great Morse code trainers before, too. If you’ve trained yourself in this method of communication, don’t hesitate to share your own learning tips below.

Amateur radio, a hobby for all ages

Meet 10 year old licensed radio operator Ivan Fry

A COLUMN By Bob Confer, pictured is Fry

Last week, during an episode of WNY Tonight, my guest organization was the Lockport Amateur Radio Association. Among LARA’s members joining me in the studio was Ivan Fry, who became a licensed radio operator last year.

Everyone who watched the television show was captivated by the 10 year-old — his interest and knowledge of the science and technology of communications is exceeded only by the energy and skill with which he speaks. I saw that same impact last month at Royalton-Hartland’s science fair, at which he took first place. He was busy all evening speaking to throngs of kids and adults alike about radio science, many of whom kept going back to learn more.

To see that youthful energy and how he uses it to attract others to a pursuit that some might think is home to old men using old technology is awesome, especially since he comes from one of the generations of people who are “digital natives”, that is, those born or brought up during the era of digital technology who are familiar with and reliant upon computers and the internet.

The web and the ubiquitous smartphone have, in a way, made the world a smaller place. They allow us to log on to Facebook and Instagram to share messages around the globe or use a device that’s in everyone’s pockets to call or text family and friends. But, as Ivan knows, there’s still a place for the joy afforded by ham radio (which is another name for the hobby). It’s exciting that you can use a small box of electronics and a wire antenna to talk to complete, but welcoming strangers, on every continent, in every neighborhood, and from every background.

You might be familiar with amateur radio by its presence in pop culture.

The movie “Frequency” starring Jim Caviezel and Dennis Quaid had a plot based on a geomagnetic storm that allowed a ham radio operator to talk to his deceased father decades earlier, which then allowed them to change the course of history. Tim Allen’s character on the sitcom “Last Man Standing” was an amateur radio enthusiast and it played a part in quite a few episodes of the show.

You might also recognize amateur radio from its presence in the community.

If you’ve taken part in events like the Ride for Roswell you’ve seen an army of men and women with handheld and mobile radios serving as communications support and observers for the riders. Perhaps you’ve seen the folks from LARA showing off their ability to communicate worldwide at the Niagara County Fair. Or, maybe you’ve heard news reports of hams connecting communities during hurricanes and other events that gut other forms of communication.  

Getting licensed to take part in all this is an easier task than it used to be. Nearly 20 years ago, the Federal Communications Commission abandoned the Morse code requirements for its permits, an obstacle that had proved difficult to many and had prevented them from entering the hobby. Now, you just need to pass a written exam, knowing radio and electrical theory as well as the FCC’s rules and regulations. There are plenty of study guides available and most of them actually provide the hundreds of possible questions and answers that the 35-question exams pull from. You take the exam under the watchful eye of local hams. When that time comes, information about the exam times and locations — and amateur radio in general — can be found at the website of the American Radio Relay League (www.ARRL.org).

Back in 2011, I got my radio license (KC2ZZW) from the federal government after decades of participating in other radio pursuits like CB radio and listening to the police scanner or shortwave radio. With my modest low-power station I’ve talked to more than 85 countries and half of our states. 

I also use ham radio, specifically VHF frequencies, as a lifeline. In some areas where I enjoy the great outdoors in New York (like Allegany County and the Adirondacks) there is questionable or no cell coverage, but my tiny walkie-talkie can reach ham radio repeater systems listened to by area hams in those regions. That offers peace in mind and preparedness for any sort of emergency you can encounter in the wilderness.

If you’d like to learn more about amateur radio locally, visit LARA’s website at www.lockportara.us or attend their June 7th Hamfest in the heart of Niagara County where you can meet radio enthusiasts and get into the hobby by taking the licensing exam (you have four weeks to study) and buying used but excellent equipment.

Give it a try. Amateur radio is a hobby for all interests and all ages — from the young ones like Ivan to the old guys like me.

 

MONDAY EDITION: Sunny start here on the rock...

Hi jon,

Just a few days until the Biggest Hamfest on Earth opens its doors.  The Dayton Hamvention is May 16-17-18.  We'll have our usual huge display in the Marconi Building a.k.a. Building #3.  If you're at the show, it would be my pleasure to say hello to you in person.  We're still doing some last minute prep, so this will be a short newsletter and we won't be shipping any orders until we return and get things unpacked and sorted out.

It's no secret that a very large percentage of Ham Radio equipment is imported from other countries.  For several months the news has been full of stories on tariffs.  The situation seems to change on a near-daily basis.  Fortunately, I've been able to get nearly all of my stock for Dayton before they took (or take) effect, so I've not had to raise prices yet.  But as of now it looks like that will change as I restock after the show.  In short -- this may be your last and best chance to get things at existing prices.

It's a big show, and if you want to see as much as possible, it takes some planning.  Here are my top 10 tips for getting the most out of Hamvention.  In fact, most of them apply to just about any large Hamfest.

1.  Make a list of companies and forums you want to visit.  My good friends at PC Board have a complete listing of both indoor and outdoor vendors here. Note that booth numbers correspond to buildings or flea market areas.  For example, we'll be in booths 3503, etc. in Building #3, also called the Marconi Building.  Split your list in three categories -- (a) must see, (b) really want to see, and (c) would like to see.  Knock off the must see first, then tackle the others. 

2.  If a booth is just too crowded, don't spend a lot of time waiting to talk to someone. Move on to your next stop.  Booth traffic starts to drop off after about 2-3PM and you'll have an easier time then.  Of course, remember it's ALWAYS worth waiting at the Quicksilver Radio Booth ;-)

3.  Noon 'til 1:30 or so is peak time for lunch.  Eat a bit earlier, or later, and you're likely to encounter much shorter lines at the food trucks.  Don't forget to pack water and snacks, or be prepared to pay typical concession stand prices for them.  If you need medication during the day, have that with you.  No sense hiking back to your car to get it.  And pack a bottle of your favorite pain reliever, too.  A headache or sore feet can really kill your enjoyment of the show. There are just a very few real restrooms on site, but last time there were plenty of Porta-Potties that seemed to be well maintained throughout the show.  A small pack of baby wipes or similar might be handy to have.

4.  Be prepared for the weather.  It might pour rain.  It might be blazing hot and sunny.  It might be damp and chilly.  It might even hail.  And all of them might occur over just a few hours!  A hat, sunscreen, umbrella, and light jacket should be in your pack.

5.  You're going to be on your feet -- a lot.  Unless you're used to standing for long periods, your "dogs will be barking".  One of the best tips I've ever heard is to bring a second pair of shoes and socks, and switch them halfway through the day.  Believe me, it will almost feel like you have a new pair of feet.

6.  Bring plenty of cash.  While the larger commercial dealers probably accept credit cards, many in the flea market will not.  Try to get used bills.  If you have to get crisp new ones out of the ATM, take a minute to give each one a "crumple".  That makes them much less likely to stick together.  Especially early in the day, it may not be easy for a dealer to make change for a small purchase with a large bill.  And most (like me) always appreciate small bills to make change for others.

7.  If you do plan to use a credit or debit card, let your bank know in advance.  Banks have ever more stringent anti-fraud practices in place, protecting both you and them.  You may typically use your card for a tank of gas and a trip to the grocery store once a week at home.  If you suddenly make a flurry of purchases in a short period of time, far from home, your bank may well flag and suspend the card.  There should be a customer service number on the back of your card.  Make sure you can read it!  Even so, cell phone service at the Fairgrounds was less than ideal last year and I'm unaware of any change in that regard.

8.  Take advantage of the opportunity to learn.  There are forums galore, covering just about every aspect of our great hobby.  They'll be presented by experts in the field, and you'll get the chance to meet fellow enthusiasts as well.  The same is true for shack accessories -- in many cases, you can speak directly with the folks who designed and manufacture it.

9.  Take a minute to thank the hundreds of volunteers who make the Hamvention possible.  I can't imagine how many hours of their time it takes to put on a show like this.  At the very least, they deserve a big round of thanks.  Similarly, most vendors put a huge effort into their Dayton booths.  Without them, there's no show.  Let them know you're glad to see them.  And (I know it sounds a bit self-serving) keep them in mind year-round as you plan your purchases.  I don't see either Amazon or E-Bay on the vendor list!

10.  Whether you go expecting to have a great time, or you expect to find a lot of shortcomings, you're probably right!  So ignore that very small minority of Negative Ninnies.  Yep, there will be a few glitches.  If you let that ruin your Hamvention, shame on you.  With Ringling Brothers' Circus now closed, this is the Greatest Show on Earth.  Enjoy all it has to offer, and take home some wonderful memories along with some new toys.

11.  Bonus tip -- stop by my booth, #3503 etc in the Marconi Building, for a free smile or two.  And please do say hello.  I always really enjoy seeing you in person and hearing what's on your mind.     

Johns Hopkins University to Hold ARRL Teachers Institute

A session of the ARRL Teachers Institute on Wireless Technology (TI) is being hosted this summer by the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab in Laurel, Maryland. This marks the first time a major research university has hosted the ARRL program.

The TI program is expanding significantly in 2025. Already, an institute was held on Staten Island, New York, to mark the first regional session….

Read more- American Radio Relay League | Ham Radio Association and Resources – Read More

The following are updates from recently published newsletters focused on ham radio.

Ria's Ham Shack: A preview of Dayton Hamvention
Ham radio's biggest annual event. This week I talk about activities at Hamvention in Ohio - what I plan to do and things you can do.
Ria's Ham Shack

Random Wire Review: Issue 130
Issue 130 leans into M17, covering an M17 radio, connecting to Kansas City Wide, configuring WPSD, and getting started free on M17. A beautiful new full-duplex AllStar node is available.
The Random Wire

Zero Retries 0201
Amateur Radio Isn’t Having All The (Radio) Fun, New Types of New Amateur Radio Operators… and Their Expectations, Langstone (V2) VHF / UHF Software Defined Radio Project, and more!
Zero Retries

Experimental Radio News 12
Satellite selfies, drilling with millimeter waves, mobile phone rescues, a hypersonic glider, and more.
Experimental Radio News

Radio Silence [068]
Do you sometimes wish that you can tear down your entire amateur radio station and start again? Not me, it was perfect.
73 from G5DOC

The Communicator May-June 2025 [PDF]
Mentoring Young Hams, Operation Manna, Computing Science and Ham Radio, Making a Better Heathkit Antenna, and more.
The Communicator

The Logger's Bark May 2025 [PDF]
Lamptenna 3, Numbers Stations, How FT8 Works, and more.
The Logger's Bark

WEEKEND EDITION: Thanks to HRO Salem for the info below.....

Dear Ham:

Coming to Hamvention this year?  We hope you are.  The weather is predicted to be good.

Here’s a copy of our latest newsletter with an article about the Hamvention Radio Station we set up for you on AM1620 that you can listen to for news, weather, traffic and fun on the way in each day.  You can see the station in action at Booth 1002 in Building 1, when you come by. This year the radio program features answers to some “Way Too Easy HAM Radio Questions” that you will have fun answering. Most of the answers are…well…way too easy!

And, of course you can see the latest "The Lowdown" 630-meter antenna and accessories while you are there.

Hope to see you in the City of Hospitality – Xenia, OH – next week!

Bill Baker
Information Station Specialists
616.772.2300 x102
theRADIOsource.com

Amateur Radio Newsline Report

FCC TO PUSH FOR US-BASED TESTING OF SOME IMPORTED ELECTRONICS

NEIL/ANCHOR: Our top story this week is all about electronics that are made for the US market but tested overseas. The US regulator is preparing to change where that testing can – and cannot – be done. Here’s Kent Peterson KCØDGY with the details.

KENT: The FCC plans to tighten its requirements for the testing of electronic devices manufactured in countries such as China before they can be sold to US consumers. The commission will review an order this month that bans device-testing conducted by labs that are [quote] “owned, controlled or directed by entities that pose national security risks,” according to a statement by FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr. He identified China as one example of such a country,

He said it was important that US-based labs begin taking on the responsibility to certify such equipment. According to Carr’s statement, Chinese labs test about three-quarters of all electronics sold in the US.

The commission will consider the new order at its open meeting on May 22nd.

**

WEATHER-BALLOON WASTE CHALLENGES AUSTRALIAN COAST

NEIL/ANCHOR: Never mind space junk from decommissioned satellites. Right here on earth, pieces of weather balloons have been found littering one beach in Australia. John Williams VK4JJW brings us up to date.

JOHN: Remnants of latex rubber weather balloons and foam boxes with scientific instruments washed up recently on the southwest coast of Victoria, where they were discovered by beach patrol crews. According to local media, the half-dozen or so balloons were carrying a radiosonde to measure temperatures, wind speed, wind direction and relative humidity. The balloons had been launched from Tasmania for a research project hosted by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, the Australian Bureau of Meteorology and the US Department of Energy. The launch site on the northwest tip of Tasmania is considered the location of the planet's purest air, making it a preferred spot for scientists' climate studies.

Heath Powers, the project's operations manager, said in an Australian Broadcasting Corporation report that scientists are testing more eco-friendly ways to conduct these studies without creating such an impact on marine life.

This is John Williams VK4JJW.
,
(AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION, WIRELESS INSTITUTE OF AUSTRALIA)

**
WEATHER-WATCHING SATELLITES ENTERING END-OF-LIFE STAGE

NEIL/ANCHOR: In a little more than a month, the US will stop supporting three satellites in its important group of weather observers. Sel Embee KB3TZD tells us what that means.

SEL: Three US government weather-watching satellites have been scheduled to formally enter the end-of-life stage on June 16th by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. NOAA has announced that the satellites - 15, 18 and 19 - which are part of the Polar Operational Environmental Satellites, or POES system, will no longer be updated or repaired.

As quoted in the blog USradioguy.com, NOAA said that this means signals will continue to be transmitted but should not be used by anyone for purposes involving safety or other critical matters. Hobbyists will still be able to download weather satellite imagery either via Automatic Picture Transmission on 137 MHz with a V-dipole antenna or via High Resolution Picture Transmission on 1.7 GHz with a tracking dish antenna.

Like the other POES satellites, this trio had provided data that was used in monitoring the environment, forest fires, volcanic eruptions and global vegetation.

This is Sel Embee, KB3TZD.

(AMSAT, USRADIOGUY BLOG)

**
HAMVENTION PREPARES FOR OPENING DAY

NEIL/ANCHOR: As the days wind down towards opening day of Hamvention in Xenia, Ohio, organizers report brisk ticket sales and the hope to match or exceed last year's attendance of more than 35,000 guests over the three days. A team of 700-plus volunteers will be there starting on May 16th to make everyone welcome. This year's theme is "Radio Independence" and for three days it will pervade the four meeting halls where the forums are taking place.

Tickets can be purchased at the box office outside the main entrance gate. For additional details visit www.hamvention.org

The ARRL is also encouraging visitors to download the Hamvention app which includes the full program and affiliated events. Find the link to download the app in the text version of this week's newscast at arnewsline.org

[DO NOT READ: https://www.tripbuilder.net/html5/arrl/multi_home.php ]

(JAMES GIFFORD, N8KET)

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NEW GRANT BOOSTS DIGITAL LIBRARY OF AMATEUR RADIO & COMMUNICATIONS

NEIL/ANCHOR: Thanks to an infusion of money from Amateur Radio Digital Communications, the massive collection at the Digital Library of Amateur Radio & Communications can keep growing - and growing. Randy Sly W4XJ has those details.

RANDY: The collection of digitized newsletters, magazines and online media at the Digital Library of Amateur Radio & Communications keeps on growing — and now the library has something else to add to its hefty collection: a second grant from Amateur Radio Digital Communications, the group that provided the original grant that first helped bring this library of amateur radio's international history to life.

Kay Savetz, K6KJN, the library's curator, said in the Zero Retries newsletter that the funding will permit the free library's continued operation for another two years. He said phase two of the library's operation will include acquiring and digitizing material from the California Historical Radio Society and the SPARK Museum of Electrical Invention. The library's most recent acquisitions include the Wireless Institute of Australia's Amateur Radio Magazine from 1933 through 2012 and dozens of new issues of the DX Bulletin.

Still celebrating the support, Kay wrote in the newsletter: [quote] "Excuse the mess, there’s still confetti all over the floor of DLARC World Headquarters." [endquote]

This is Randy Sly W4XJ.

(ZERO RETRIES NEWSLETTER, AMATEUR NEWS DAILY)

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THREE INDUCTED INTO CQ AMATEUR RADIO HALL OF FAME

NEIL/ANCHOR: The CQ Amateur Radio Hall of Fame, which is now overseen by Hamgallery, has announced the trio of inductees for 2025. We hear more about them from Travis Lisk N3ILS.

TRAVIS: The three newest CQ hall of famers, who were chosen following a nomination process that ended in April, include one Silent Key.The inductees are Wayne Overbeck, N6NB, who became a Silent Key last month, Angel M. Vazquez, WP3R and Jim Breakall, WA3FET.

Wayne, who became a Silent Key on April 18th of this year, was well known as a co-creator of the Quagi antenna, which is part-Yagi, part-quad. A top-performing contester, he was honored as Radio Amateur of the Year at the Dayton Hamvention in 1980 for his years of contributions to ham radio. Wayne was an educator and a former vice director with the ARRL's Southwestern Division.

Angel, who was named Amateur of the Year at Dayton Hamvention in 2021, had worked at the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico since 1977. He had served as head of telescope operations and was the lead operator for 2010 moonbounce project at Arecibo -- a project that included, among others, fellow hall of fame inductee Jim Breakall. Angel works as the Puerto Rico Coordination Zone Administrator, managed by the National Radio Astronomy Observatory.

Jim is a professor emeritus of electrical engineering at Pennsylvania State University and a leader in cutting-edge antenna technology. He is credited for his work with the Numerical Electromagnetics Code used in antenna analysis. A prolific author and busy contester, Jim has been involved in antenna designs at Arecibo and the HAARP facility in Alaska.

For more details about the recipients visit hamgallery.com

This is Travis Lisk N3ILS.

(HAMGALLERY.COM)

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HAM2K PORTABLE LOGGER RECEIVES SOFTWARE AWARD

NEIL/ANCHOR: Congratulations to the winner of the 2025 Amateur Radio Software Award. If you do a lot of portable operating, you may already be very familiar with this program and its developer. Andy Morrison K9AWM tells us about them both.

ANDY: Ham2K Portable Logger has been a mainstay in the field for a growing number of portable operators since its development by Sebastian Delmont, KI2D. The Amateur Radio Software Award committee has chosen to honor the free downloadable logger, citing its [quote] "intuitive, user-friendly interfaces and a suite of convenient features." [endquote] The software's support of Worldwide Flora & Fauna, Summits on the Air, Parks on the Air and the ARRL Field Day has helped grow its popularity. Details about the logger can be found at polo dot ham2k dot com (polo.ham2K.com).

Meanwhile, mark your calendars for the 7th through the 17th of November, when the committee will activate special-event stations K6A K6R and K6S - that spells ARS for Amateur Radio Software - to honor this year's winner and to solicit nominees for next year's award. The international award  is given for open-source software projects that promote innovation and freedom in amateur radio.

This is Andy Morrison K9AWM.

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NOMINATE OUR NEXT YOUNG HAM OF THE YEAR

NEIL/ANCHOR: Nominations close on the 31st of this month for Newsline's Bill Pasternak Memorial Young Ham of the Year Award. Do you know a promising young amateur who is a potential candidate? Consider nominating an amateur radio operator 18 years of age or younger here in the continental United States. If they have talent, promise and a commitment to the spirit of ham radio they might just be this year's award winner. Find application forms on our website arnewsline.org under the "YHOTY" tab.

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APRS POSTPONES MAY SUMMIT, RESCHEDULES FOR FALL

NEIL/ANCHOR: The APRS Foundation's inaugural education summit, originally scheduled to take place in May, has been postponed until the autumn of this year. The nonprofit group is developing a full day of programming that is geared to both seasoned operators and beginners - anyone interested in using the Automatic Packet Reporting System.

Discussions about packet radio will include the fundamentals but will also address cutting-edge applications and what's in store for the future. Best of all, guests can attend the online seminars and interactive Q&A sessions right from their home QTH.

Registration details will appear on the foundation website at aprsfoundation.org when they are available.

(APRS FOUNDATION)

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IMAGE TRANSMISSION A HIGHLIGHT OF DISASTER TRAINING

NEIL/ANCHOR: The mountainous terrain of the Indian state of Nagaland is daunting - but it is never more daunting than in an emergency when communication cannot afford to fail. An amateur radio training program has been helping state officials train in the latest communication technologies, as we learn from Jim Meachen ZL2BHF.

JIM: Open Source Classes for Amateur Radio, also known as OSCAR India, has been working with the Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority to sharpen responders' communication skills. In the most recent session, held in late April, participants celebrated a first for responders in the region in northeast India - they successfully used radio signals for image transmission, using the callsign AT2NE. District project associates who work for the disaster management authority were able to see the benefit of this image-transmission mode. They also received training in antenna-building and Morse Code.

OSCAR India's convenor, Nilkantha Chatterjee, VU2OII [Vee You Two Oh Eye Eye], told local media [quote] "This demonstration proves radio's vital role when modern networks fail. While we have conducted similar transmissions elsewhere, bringing this capability to Northeast India's unique landscape is particularly rewarding." [endquote]

This is Jim Meachen ZL2BHF.

(NAGALAND POST)

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CITY POLICE STATIONS PREPARE TO ADD AMATEUR RADIO

NEIL/ANCHOR: In West Bengal, India, law enforcement officials in one city are adding amateur radio shacks to police stations. Now they are busy getting volunteers trained and licensed to use them. We have an update from Graham Kemp VK4BB.

GRAHAM: Two months of ham radio training began in late April for civic volunteers who assist at the 26 police stations throughout the city of Barrackpore. The sessions are being conducted by Srayan Mondal, VU3ZHF, Pashupati Mondal, VU3ODQ, Dipak Chakraborty, VU2TLW and Jayanta Baidya, VU2TFR -- all members of the West Bengal Radio Club.

The training is designed to prepare the volunteers for the exam leading to the ham radio certificate from the Ministry of Telecommunications. Radio shacks are expected to be set up at each of the 26 police stations and the police central office.

The police commissioner told local media that adding wireless communication to the various modes used by law enforcement will be especially helpful for disaster response.

This is Graham Kemp VK4BB.

(TIMES OF INDIA, AMBARISH NAG BISWAS, VU2JFA)

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SPECIAL STATIONS CELEBRATE MAJOR HAM EXPO IN JAPAN

NEIL/ANCHOR: The Osaka-Kansai Expo 2025 is a major event by the Japan Amateur Radio League that showcases cutting-edge technology and focuses on training and education for the ham community. JARL is inviting hams around the world to get involved in the months ahead, as we hear from Jason Daniels VK2LAW.

JASON: Members of the Japan Amateur Radio League are showing their support for the Osaka-Kansai Expo 2025 in a big way: For the 184 days, they are calling QRZ with the callsign 8K3EXPO. The expo opened on April 13th with the first QSOs made by JARL president Koji Morita, JA5SUD. Volunteers throughout the organisation will continue the activation until its conclusion on the 13th of October.

According to the expo website, all the radio equipment for this station is being operated remotely, utilising optical fibre. A radio booth is set up next to one of the expo halls in the East Gate Zone and linked to the antenna tower elsewhere on the site.

Not everything is happening on site. At the same time the 8K3 station is on the air, the mobile station JA3XPO is also being operated by JARL. This is a special callsign that has been re-activated 55 years after its first use at the previous Osaka Expo in 1970. The mobile operation will travel to the six prefectures in the Kansai region.

Of course, if you think this expo is a big deal, wait until next year when JARL marks 100 years since its founding.

For additional information about the expo, see the link in the text version of this week's newscast at arnewsline.org

[DO NOT READ: https://www.expo2025.or.jp/en/ ]

This is Jason Daniels VK2LAW.

(JARL)

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WORLD OF DX

In the World of DX, listen for callsigns with the special prefixes 4X77 and 4Z77 until the 10th of May. Hams in Israel are celebrating the 77th anniversary since the founding of the Israel Association of Radio Communication and the establishment of the State of Israel. See QRZ.com for more details.

Kasimir, DL2SBY, will be using the callsign HBØ/DL2SBY from Liechtenstein from the 11th to the 18th of May. Listen for him on the HF bands and on 6 metres. See QRZ.com for details.

The callsign II3IARU [EYE EYE THREE IARU] is being activated by Alex, IV3KKW to mark the 100th anniversary of the IARU and the 75th anniversary of IARU Region 1. He will be on the air until the 18th of May. QSL via his home callsign.

(425 DX BULLETIN)

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KICKER: A PULSAR PACKS A PUNCH INTO OUR GALAXY

NEIL/ANCHOR: Finally, we hear about a distress call that came in via radio - but this wasn't exactly a local call or even a conventional DX call. How about.... 26,000 light-years from Earth? Ralph Squillace KK6ITB goes the distance with this story.

RALPH: It's known as the Snake, the nickname by which astronomers identify one dense, elongated filament in the center of our Milky Way galaxy. It apparently has suffered fractures in two places. As best as scientists can tell, a fast-rotating neutron star known as a pulsar collided with the Snake at a not-too-shabby 1–2 million miles per hour and caused a fracture that disrupted the Snake's magnetic field, releasing radio emissions from the site of the impact.

NASA's Chandra X-ray observatory and the MeerKAT radio array in South Africa studied the Snake, which is 230-light-years long, to get a better picture of what scientists compare to fractures in bones. Radio astronomers combined their findings with those of an observatory in San Agustin, Mexico and recently released a paper in the Monthly Notices of the London-based Royal Astronomical Society describing the event. Scientists study filaments such as the Snake to understand their roles in how stars are formed.

Whether the Snake can heal is another question altogether. Cosmic veterinarians don't make long-distance house calls.