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PY2BIL > ARNR 01.09.25 16:37z 324 Lines 17216 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
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Subj: Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2496 for Friday, August 29th,
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From: PY2BIL@PY2BIL.SP.BRA.SOAM
Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2496 for Friday, August 29th, 2025
Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2496 with a release date of Friday, August 29th, 2025 to follow in 5-4-3-
2-1.
The following is a QST. A prototype satellite for broadband faces launch delays. The Route 66 Special Event
gets an eye in the sky -- and remote operators are needed for the Andaman Island DXpedition. All this and more
as Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2496 comes your way right now.
**
AST SPACEMOBILE SATELLITE FACES LAUNCH DELAYS
DON/ANCHOR: Our top story takes us to Texas, where the company behind a prototype broadband satellite has
announced delays in the project's launch. Kent Peterson KCØDGY has more details.
KENT: The US mobile broadband provider that hopes to use amateur radio frequencies to support its planned
satellite-based network has rolled back the date for the launch of its prototype satellite. This is the second
delay by AST SpaceMobile, which had originally hoped to launch the satellite, known as FM1, in August and first
postponed it to October or November. India's space agency, ISRO, confirmed the delay in a press conference with
local Indian media, adding that FM1 would likely not launch until the first quarter of 2026. FM1, which has a
phased-array antenna, is designed to function as a cell tower from space.
The announcement comes barely a week after the company said it expects to launch between 45 and 60 satellites
by next year.
No reason was given for the postponement, which was reported on the PCMag website. AST SpaceMobile is building
its network in partnership with Verizon and AT&T and is considered a rival to Starlink services which are
partnered with T-Mobile.
Texas-based AST SpaceMobile has asked the FCC to authorize its network's use of amateur radio frequencies
between 430 and 440 MHz - a request that has drawn challenges from the amateur radio community. In July, the
FCC assigned FM1 the callsign WP2XRX, which expires on July 1st, 2027. Its license authorizes experimental
operation for mobile satellite services only on 37.5 to 42 GHz, and 2.235 GHz and 2.245 GHz.
This is Kent Peterson KCØDGY.
(PCMAG)
**
MARITIME MOBILE SERVICE NETWORK AIDS SAILING VESSEL
DON/ANCHOR: Ham radio helped turn the tide this month for a stranded sailing vessel off the California coast.
Kevin Trotman N5PRE has that story.
KEVIN: Sailing off the coast of San Francisco on August 3rd, the captain and crew of four aboard the vessel,
Windchaser, found that their boat had become dead in the water, adrift after its propeller got entangled with a
rope. Without cell service available, the captain. Dennis Dickerson, KI6KQJ, reached out to the Maritime Mobile
Service Network on 20m, contacting net control John McGowan, K2JBX. After hearing that all aboard were safe,
John said he would check in with Dennis the next day because the crew hoped to paddle ashore for repairs then.
That scheduled check-in proved significant: Park rangers at the hoped-for landing site, Point Reyes Marine
Reserve, were initially hesitant to grant access to the boat because the reserve is so environmentally
sensitive. According to net manager Jeff Savasta, KB4JKL, John was able to help secure special permission for
the boat to land for repairs - but by the time that critical permission was granted, propagation had changed.
The boat could not be reached immediately, however, when conditions changed, Jeff, on the next shift, was able
to deliver the good news -- and the boat was on its way.
This is Kevin Trotman N5PRE.
(JEFF SAVASTA, KB4JKL)
**
AERONAUTICAL ROVER JOINS ROUTE 66 ON THE AIR
DON/ANCHOR: This year, the team of operators behind the annual Route 66 On the Air special event are going
above and beyond - REALLY above and REALLY beyond. Andy Morrison K9AWM explains how.
ANDY: Look up in the sky! It's not a bird.....no, it's a plane and it's piloted by Bill Hartsell, N3WSH. Bill
will be using the callsign W6Y as the first-time aeronautical rover for this year's Route 66 On the Air special
event. When hams get on the air on September 6th, he'll be in the air, operating as this year's first-time
bonus station through September 9th.
Bill, a retired US Air Force pilot from Oklahoma, will be flying about 7,000 feet high above the traffic on the
nation's Mother Road, making the trip from Chicago to Santa Monica and making QSOs with licensed hams on the
ground who are near his route, which he will travel both eastbound and westbound during the event.
He will be calling QRZ on 146.490 MHz simplex. If you get him, it's a bonus. Either way, you can still get a
Clean Sweep chasing the other stations.
The 26th annual special event, organized by the Citrus Belt Amateur Radio Club, will remain active for a few
more days after Bill's activations, coming in for a landing itself on the 14th.
This is Andy Morrison K9AWM.
[DO NOT READ: https://globe.adsbexchange.com/ ]
(NORVAL KENNEDY, N3OUN; ROUTE 66 ON THE AIR WEBSITE)
**
SILENT KEY; ODINN THOR, TF2MSN, ICELANDIC DXER
DON/ANCHOR: A notable DXer from Iceland has become a Silent Key, as we hear from Jeremy Boot G4NJH.
JEREMY: DXers who looked forward to hearing a friendly, familiar voice from Iceland were saddened this month to
learn that the contact they were hoping to log had become a Silent Key. The death of Odinn Thor TF2MSN on the
19th of August in Reykjavik was reported by the Icelandic Amateur Radio Association, sharing the news provided
by his family.
First licensed in 2011, Odinn began as an enthusiastic operator on SSB, later embracing such digital modes as
FT4 and FT8.
According to Jónas Bjarnason, TF3JB, president of Icelandic Radio Amateurs, Odinn had been in poor health for
the past 30 years or so, following an accident on a fishing boat. Jonas told Newsline by email that "ham radio
was his life" almost 24 hours a day. In addition to being active locally on 2 metres, he was an enthusiastic
participant in numerous events held by Icelandic Radio Amateurs, including Field Day.
Odinn was 62.
This is Jeremy Boot G4NJH.
(JONAS BJARNASON, TF3JB; DX-WORLD-NET)
**
SILENT KEY: LOU DIETRICH, DXER, PAST CHAIRMAN OF INDEXA
DON/ANCHOR: Another noted DXer and leader in the radio community has become a Silent Key, as Stephen Kinford
N8WB, tells us.
STEPHEN: Lou Dietrich, N2TU, gave priority to building community across the globe through radio - and he was a
prominent advocate of that in his former role as chairman of the board of directors of the International DX
Association.
Lou became a Silent Key on the 15th of August.
He had been a DXpeditioner as well as a DXer, knowing that the thrill of the chase is only half of the
challenge. He was part of the K1N activation of Navassa Island in 2015 and a team co-leader for the K5P Palmyra
DXpedition in 2016. He was also part of the Sable Island CYØS DXpedition in 2023 and the St. Paul Island
DXpedition CY9C in 2024.
Lou was originally licensed as WV2RNW as a teenager in high school in the 1960s and after his license lapsed,
became relicensed in 1981.
His obituary on the ARRL website noted that he had been part of the league's DX Advisory Committee. His awards
from the league include Ten-Band DXCC and the DXCC Top of the Honor Roll. He belonged to the Carolina DX
Association
Lou was 78.
This is Stephen Kinford N8WB.
(425 DX BULLETIN, ARRL)
**
HURRICANE WATCH NET MARKS 60 YEARS OF SERVICE
DON/ANCHOR: No one celebrates hurricane season, of course, but there IS something to celebrate at this time of
the year at the US National Hurricane Center. Randy Sly W4XJ explains.
RANDY: On the weekend of August 30th, the Hurricane Watch Net celebrates 60 years of service to the U.S.
National Hurricane Center and communities impacted by the storms.
The HWN began in 1965 when amateur radio operator Jerry Murphy, K8YUW, heard calls from hams in the Bahamas
asking for information about Hurricane Betsy. Seeing the need for an organized net, Murphy began coordinating
and relaying reports from hams in the Bahamas, Florida and across the affected region. The current net manager,
Bobby Graves, stated [quote] “when information is scarce and lives are at stake, amateur radio can be a
lifeline.ö
Today, nearly 60 volunteers across the United States, Canada, Bermuda, Honduras, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico, and
Aruba relay real-time weather data and storm damage reports directly to NHC’s amateur station, WX4NHC. Since
its founding, the Net has supported 156 landfalling hurricanes, including 60 major hurricanes and 12 Category 5
storms.
A special operating event commemorating the anniversary was held in early June, since the actual date fell
during the peak hurricane season.
This is Randy Sly, W4XJ
(HURRICANE WATCH NET)
**
BREAK HERE:
Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the
world, including the WØCRA repeater system in Denver, Boulder and Colorado Springs on Sundays at 9 a.m. local
time.
**
HAMS HELP SONOMA SPRINGS RESIDENTS WITH GMRS
DON/ANCHOR: In one California county, radios are becoming more and more of a safety net, as we learn from Ralph
Squillace KK6ITB.
RALPH: In Sonoma County, California, floods, wildfires and earthquakes are among the best reasons for becoming
a radio operator. With that in mind the county's Department of Emergency Management has entered the second year
of a three-year program that includes helping more Sonoma Springs area residents to get licensed and get on the
air. The initiative has been funded through a 0,000 federal grant.
Emergency management officials are now preparing for training sessions in October that will prepare area
residents for an exam leading toward a license to use handheld radios, especially at times when cellular
telephone networks fail. The radios are part of General Mobile Radio Services, or GMRS, a licensed service
operating between 462 MHz and 467 MHz. The county is coordinating with amateur radio operators in the North Bay
Communications Cooperative and its Auxiliary Communications System. The goal is to coordinate frequencies so
that the GMRS users can work seamlessly within the broader emergency communications system.
The focus is on residents in the community of Sonoma Springs, which is classified as an evacuation zone when
there are wildlfires, but participants who live outside the area are also welcome to enroll.
The county's program can supply as many as 175 of the radios to participants who successfully complete the
program. The grant also covers fees for the license exam.
Emergency management specialist Nancy Brown told the Sonoma News that radio is seen as the ultimate and most
resilient backup plan. She said: [quote] “No matter what happens, you have something that will work.ö
[endquote]
This is Ralph Squillace KK6ITB.
(SONOMA NEWS)
**
ANDAMAN ISLAND DXPEDITION RECRUITING YOUNG REMOTE OPS
DON/ANCHOR: Next Year's Andaman Island DXpedition is looking for remote operators - and giving special priority
to young operators. Jim Meachen ZL2BHF has that story.
JIM: The team planning the Andaman Island DXpedition in 2026 has an ambitious agenda: the goal is to log at
least 100,000 QSOs while the team is on the air from the Indian archipelago in the Bay of Bengal.
Contacts from around the world are expected to keep the on-site crew of 18 busy but organisers plan to add to
the team by bringing remote operators, especially young licensed amateurs, on board.
The remote team lead, Gerry, W1VE, is a veteran of remote operations for the VP6A, E51D and other DXPeditions,
and is hoping to replicate those successes with the Andaman Island DXpedition. Hams who participate in the
remote operation will be required to have an Indian visa and an amateur radio license from India even though
they will not be physically present. Operators are to be selected by the 1st of April, 2026.
It promises to be a busy time once the activation gets under way on Oct. 19, 2026. The operators expect to
participate in the 2026 CQ WW SSB Contest representing India They will also be activating three POTA sites
between the 27th and the 29th of October. The entity is also IOTA AS-001.
Gerry asks that interested amateurs contact him directly via email at gerry at remote dot radio. That's
"Gerry" spelled "G E R R Y" at remote dot radio (gerry@remote.radio).
This is Jim Meachen ZL2BHF.
(DX-WORLD)
**
WORLD OF DX
In the World of DX, listen for Maxim OH7O [OH H SEVEN OH] operating as XW4YY from Laos from the 29th of August
through to the 11th of September. Maxim will be on most of the HF bands, starting with 40m, using SSB and FT8.
See QRZ.com for QSL details.
Adrian, M1LCR, will be on the air holiday style as SV8/M1LCR/p from Paxos Island, IOTA Number EU-052, from the
2nd through to the 13th of September. Listen for him on 80-6m using SSB and RTTY, with his main activity to
take place during the IARU Region 1 Field Day. See QRZ.com for QSL details.
The 12th Borneo Amateur Radio Festival will be celebrated by members of the Amateur Radio Club Sarawak using
the callsign 9M8BARF from the 1st through to the 15th of September. The festival is being held in Sarawak, East
Malaysia. See QRZ.com for QSL details.
Harald, DF2WO will be active again as 9X2AW from Rwanda from the 1st through to the 27th of September.
Harald operates CW, SSB and FT8/FT4 using various bands, including 6 metres. He will also be using the QO-
100 satellite. See QRZcom for QSL details.
(DX-WORLD, 425 DX BULLETIN)
**
KICKER: A RADIO HOMECOMING, ONE CENTURY LATER
DON/ANCHOR: Our final story takes us to Australia, where - for a few hours - one radio operator is returning
ham radio to the former home of the first lady of radio in the state of Victoria. Graham Kemp VK4BB takes us
there.
GRAHAM: Elizabeth Hutchings, VK3HM, had the distinction of being the first YL licensed as an amateur radio
operator in the state of Victoria, Australia. Radio apparently was in the family's genes -- in the 1920s, her
son Alan held the callsign VK3HL and her daughter, Marjorie, was licensed as VK3HQ.
Some 100 years later on the Callawadda land where the famliy's old radio shack still stands, Geoff Smart,
VK3GCM, is putting amateur radio back into action. He chose this property, known as Bryn Avon, as his QTH for
the Australian Ladies Amateur Radio Association's annual competition. Geoff knew Bryn Avon from commercial
consultancy work he had done but he only learned of its connection to ham radio after reading an article by
ALARA historian Jennifer Wardrop VK3WQ.
It's been a busy year of celebration for ALARA, which was founded in 1975. The association's contest, held
every year during the last full weekend in August, is one of the many ways the group has been marking the
occasion. The rules of the international contest stipulate that YLs may work anyone they please but men can
only work YLs.
As Newsline went to production, Geoff was making plans to be active from the farm on 40 metres. Whether
operating from the home of a notable YL from Victoria gives him a winning edge in a YL association contest
remains to be seen. Win or lose, no doubt this would meet with the approval of one radio pioneer from Victoria.
This is Graham Kemp VK4BB.
(GEOFF SMART, VK3GCM; ALARA)
**
It's now even easier to send in your ham radio haikus to us here at Newsline! Visit our website at
arnewsline.org and as you compose your ode to your favorite online activity, we will help you use the correct
number of syllables to make an authentic haiku. Submit your work and then sit back and wait to hear whether you
are the winner of this week's challenge. The winner gets a shout-out on our website, where everyone can find
the winning haiku.
NEWSCAST CLOSE
With thanks to ALARA; Amateur News Daily; AMSAT News Service; ARRL; David Behar K7DB; DXNews; 425DX Bulletin;
FCC; Geoff Smart, VK3GCM; Hurricane Watch Net; Jeff Savasta, KB4JKL; Jonas Bjarnason, TF3JB; Norval Kennedy,
N3OUN; PCMag website; shortwaveradio.de; Sonoma News; Wireless Institute of Australia; YouTube; and you our
listeners, that's all from the Amateur Radio Newsline. We remind our listeners that Amateur Radio Newsline is
an all-volunteer non-profit organization that incurs expenses for its continued operation. If you wish to
support us, please visit our website at arnewsline.org and know that we appreciate you all. We also remind our
listeners that if you like our newscast, please leave us a 5-star rating wherever you subscribe to us.
For now, with Caryn Eve Murray KD2GUT at the news desk in New York, and our news team worldwide, I'm Don
Wilbanks AE5DW in Picayune, Mississippi saying 73. As always we thank you for listening. Amateur Radio Newsline
(tm) is Copyright 2025. Amateur Radio Newsline retains ownership of its material even when retransmitted
elsewhere. All rights are reserved.
73 de Bill, PY2BIL
PY2BIL@PY2BIL.SP.BRA.SOAM
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BBS: PY2BIL - Timed 29-Aug-2025 09:08 E. South America Standard Time
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