I almost never script content for the transmissions of PA00NEWS. I believe in spontanity and scripting tries to organize, so most of the PA00NEWS transmission does sound fairly disorganized. And that is fine so 🙂

The Amateur Radio Newsline does script however. Below their script for the March 21 broadcast, which was also included in the Daily Minutes of PA00NEWs last Friday.

Amateur Radio NewslineT Report 1910 – March 21, 2014

Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1910 with a release
date of March 21 2014 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.

The following is a Q-S-T. Hams asked to assist in the hunt
for Malaysian Airlines Flight MH 370; Ukraine and Russia
bring intruding signals to some High Frequency ham radio
bands; hams in France get new band allocations; FCC invites
public comment on proposal to restructure the 10 Gigahertz
band; an Ohio radio club to celebrate Earth Day and it might
not be long before you can take a vicarious ride into space.
Find out how on Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1910
coming your way right now.

(Billboard Cart Here)

**

RESCUE RADIO: HAMS ASKED TO HELP LOCATE MALAYSIA AIRLINES
FLIGHT MH370

Ham radio operators in a number of nations are now being
asked to assist in the search for Malaysian Airlines
flight MH370. Amateur Radio Newsline’s Jim Meachen, Zed-L-2-
B-H-F, is here with the details.

—
The Malaysian Amateur Radio Emergency Service Society is
calling ham radio operators in a number of nations to
participate in the search for the missing Malaysia Airlines
flight MH370.

The twin-engine Boeing 777-200ER airliner bearing
registration 9M-MRO disappeared without a trace on March
8th. This, after its various position signaling systems
were turned off at about 1:20 a.m. local time while the
aircraft was believed to have been North of the Malaysian
coastline enroute to Beijing, China.

Now, the Malaysian Amateur Radio Emergency Service Society
says that ham radio operators in several geographic areas
can play an important part in the search. It particularly
singles out radio amateurs in India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka,
Thailand, Mauritius and the Seychelles as being in a crucial
position to assist.

Daily reporting nets have been established on 14.250 and
21.250 MHz from 13:00 to 15:00 U-T-C. Any urgent message
beyond the specified session times can be sent via email to
emergency (at) mares.org.my. All information obtained from
the ham radio community will be forwarded to the Malaysian
Department of Civil Aviation and Malaysian National Security
Council.

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I’m Jim Meachen, ZL2BHF, in
Nelson, New Zealand.

—

At airtime it’s not known if the request for ham radio
assistance came from the Malaysian government or is a
volunteer effort on the part of the Malaysian Amateur Radio
Emergency Service Society. Also, on Thursday, March 20th
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott announced that two
objects that could be wreckage from Malaysia Airlines Flight
370 had been seen by satellite off its western coast.
Meantime some 25 nations are in some way involved in the
search for the missing plane. (9W2FG, Southgate, other news
reports)

**

INTRUDER WATCH: UKRANE STATION SZRU ACTIVE ON 20 METERS

The IARU Monitoring System newsletter reports the Ukraine
foreign Intelligence Service SZRU has been active every
Wednesday on 14.280 MHz at 1010 UTC running full carrier AM.
Reports say that a female voice spelled numbers and
encrypted messages. The exact location is believed to be
near Rivne.

The newsletter also says that REA4 which is a call used by
the Russian Airforce in Moscow was still active on 7 dot 018
MHz with Frequency Shift Keying at 100 Baud and a 1000 Hz
shift. Harmonics could be measured on 14 dot 036, 21 dot 052
and 28 dot 072 MHz on February 28th at about 10:50 UTC.

If you hear or are bothered by these or any other illegal
user of ham radio spectrum, please report these incidents to
the Intruder Watch Coordinator for your nation. Here in the
United States that would be The American Radio Relay League.
(IARU R1 Newsletter)

**

WORLDBEAT: NEW SPECTRUM AWARDED TO HAMS IN FRANCE

French radio amateurs have gained access to 472 to 479 kHz
with 1 watt output in I-T-U Region 1 and French territories
in Region 2. Also, 435 to 438 MHz is now allocated to the
Amateur-satellite service in France for both Earth-to-Space
and Space-to-Earth in the same geographic areas. Due to a
previous error in the national frequency table, French
amateurs did not have Space-to-Earth privileges for this
band in their licenses.

Still with space related matters, the 2400 to 2415 MHz band
is now allocated to radio stations in the Amateur-satellite
service in French territories in Region 2.

Regarding the 1.2 GHz band the national society questioned
if Europe’s new Galileo Global Positioning satellite system
may call into question the future of this allocation for use
by ham radio. Galileo downlinks across 1260 to 1300 MHz
band. France’s telecommunications regulator said that it
would review this matter and provide a response at some
future date.

These changes are the result of a meeting between French
telecommunications regulator the Autorit� de R�gulation des
Communications �lectroniques et des Postes and the French
national amateur radio society R-E-F that was held on March
7th. Discussions also covered the possibility of a future
amateur band across the whole of 1.8 to 2.0 MHz spectrum and
possible allocations at 5.5 MHz and 70 MHz. The R-E-F
report also noted that the regulatory body has also shown an
interest in ARISS school contacts which both groups believe
have a high educational value.

The complete minutes in Google English is on the web at
http://tinyurl.com/REF-ARCEP-Minutes-2014-03-07 (REF,
Southgate)

**

WORLDBEAT: NEW BRUNSWICK CANADA CONFIRMS DISTRACTED DRIVING
EXEMPTION FOR HAM RADIO OPERATORS.

Some good news for hams living in New Brunswick, Canada.
Radio Amateurs of Canada has announced that New Brunswick
has passed new legislation to provide an exemption to that
province’s distracted driving law for ham radio mobile
operations.

The announcement was made at the Legislature in Fredericton
on Tuesday March 19th. A number of Canadian radio amateurs
were in attendance at the invitation of Minister of
Justice’s Troy Lifford.

At the same session, Radio Amateur of Canada member Alan
Thurber, VE1AKT, was formally recognized in the Legislature
for his extensive involvement in amateur radio, in various
other groups and the community in general. (RAC)

**

RESTRUCTURING: FCC INVITES PUBLIC COMMENT ON 10-10.5 GHZ
PETITION

Back here in the United States, the FCC has invited public
comment on a Petition for Rule Making titled RM-11715. This
is a proposal that would make a significant portion of the
10.0 to 10.5 GHz band available for wireless broadband
services while to some extent protect amateur radio
terrestrial and space operations from interference.

According to the ARRL the petition by Mimosa Networks Inc.
proposes a band plan for the spectrum from 10.0 to 10.5 GHz
that the petitioner says would protect frequencies most
often used by radio amateurs. The proposal would specify
10.350 to 10.370 GHz as an “Amateur Calling Band,” and
10.450 to 10.500 GHz for Amateur-Satellite operations. This
would be in the midst of 21 wireless broadband channels and
a small guard band.

The success of the Mimosa petition hinges on FCC adoption of
rule changes that would put the 10 GHz band under Subpart Z
of the Commission’s Part 90 rules. Subpart Z currently sets
out regulations governing wireless licensing, technical
standards, and operational standards in the 3650 to 3700 MHz
spectrum.

Interested parties may comment on RM-11715 using the FCC’s
Electronic Comment Filing System. You can read the entire
proposal at http://www.tinyurl.com/kvbqshn (ARRL,
Southgate)

**

HAM RADIO IN SPACE: OSCAR-11 / UOSAT-2 CELEBRATES 30 YEARS
ON-ORBIT

UOSAT-OSCAR-11 has now been in orbit for 30 years and
remarkably its signal on 145.826 MHz FM is still being
received. UOSAT-2, was designed and built by a team of
engineers at the University of Surrey in Guildford, Surrey,
UK as the successor to UOSAT-1. It was placed into orbit on
board a Delta rocket from the United States Western Test
Range at Vandenberg Air Base, in California on March 1,
1984.

OSCAR-11 was the most rapidly designed ham radio satellite
going from inception to launch in only five months. It was
also the first amateur satellite to carry a digital
communications package into Earth orbit, and the first to be
controlled by a Central Processing Unit running software
written in the high-level programming language “Forth”. The
bird originally carried three beacons but only the 2 meter
unit is currently operational. (AMSAT-UK)

**

DX UP FRONT: MARION ISLAND ACTIVATIONS

In DX up front, several sources are reporting that ZS1KX,
will be leaving South Africa on April 2nd for the Marion
Island. He has requested the callsign ZS8KX and expected to
be active from the island in May. QSL direct to Gerard de
Jong, P.O. Box 744, Wellington, 7654, South Africa.

Also from Marion Islands comes word that a female operator
signing ZS8A, has been showing up on 28.650 MHz between
14:20 to16:00. Reports are that she handles QSLing via
ClubLog.

Marion Island lies in the Southern Indian Ocean and is part
of a two island group. It is only about 12 miles long by 7
1/2 wide, and the two islands have a combined area of 196
square miles. Politically they form part of South
Africa’s Western Cape Province. (OPDX, Wikipedia)

**

DX UP FRONT: 6 METERS FROM GRENEDA IN JUNE

And if you are an aficionado of the 50 MHz band, then listen
up. W9DR will be active on 6 meters as J38DR from Grenada
between June 19th and July 1st. This operation will be
located on the north shore of the island for a great launch
angle to North America and Europe over the Atlantic Ocean.
Operating frequencies will be 50.115 MHz SSB, 50.115.6 MHz
CW as well as a breakable Beacon on 50.115.6 MHz running
when no stations heard. Gear for this DXpedition will be a
FlexRadio SDR-1500 driving a home built solid state water-
cooled amplifier into a 5 element Yagi. If you manage to
work him, QSL to W9DR at his home address. And we will have
more DX news for you later on in this weeks newscast.
(Various Sources)

**

BREAK 1

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur
Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world
including the KC6OCA repeater serving Lake Isabella
California.

(5 sec pause here)

**

ENFORCEMENT: FCC ISSUES PROPOSED $25000 FINE FOR PART 15
VIOLATIONS

The FCC has issued a Notice of Apparent Liability in the
amount of $25,000 to Internet Service Provider Winchester
Wireless of Winchester, Virginia. This for its alleged
operation of intentional radiators not in accordance with
Part 15 of the Rules and doing so without a license.
Amateur Radio Newsline’s Stephan Kinford, N8WB, has the
details:

—

Part 15 devices are license free but must be operated at
what amounts to micro power so as to cause minimum
interference to other Part 15 units sharing the same
spectrum. So it was that on May 10, 2011, in response to a
complaint, an agent from the Enforcement Bureau’s Columbia
Maryland Office inspected a transmitting device operated by
Winchester Wireless on the roof of an area residence.
During the inspection, the agent determined that a legal
Motorola Canopy System was connected to two external RF Linx
900 MHz amplifiers that in turn were individually fed into
two separate antennas.

When the agent later interviewed Winchester Wireless owner
David Williamson at the company’s main office, Williamson
admitted to using the amplifiers. The agent subsequently
reviewed the FCC rules for the Motorola Canopy System, which
indicated that it is not certified for use with external
amplification.

On August 11, 2011, the Columbia Office issued a Notice of
Unlicensed Operation to Winchester Wireless regarding its
unauthorized use of the external amplifiers at the inspected
location. On August 29th the company responded to the
Notice. At that time it reported that the amplifiers had
been removed but did not provide any information regarding
Winchester Wireless’s operations at other locations.

Jump ahead almost two years. On May 29, 2013, in response
to additional complaints, an agent from the Columbia Office
inspected two transmitter sites operated by Winchester
Wireless. At both locations, the agent observed signals
emanating in the 902 to 928 MHz band. The agent observed
the same Motorola Canopy System and RF Linx equipment that
he had seen during the 2011 inspection.

On July 29, 2013, the Columbia Office issued a Notice of
Unlicensed Operation to Winchester
Wireless regarding its continued unauthorized use of
external amplifiers. On July 31, 2013, Winchester Wireless
responded to the Notice indicating that it would inspect the
two transmitter sites for compliance with the Part 15 Rules.

Now in issuing the proposed fine, the FCC says that
Winchester Wireless had the same type of violation less than
two years earlier and that the 2011 Notice expressly warned
that the equipment certification for the Motorola Canopy
System did not authorize the use of such external
amplifiers. With the second violation the FCC says that
Winchester Wireless’s actions demonstrate a deliberate
disregard for the Commission’s requirements and as such a
forfeiture of $25,000 is warranted.

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I’m Stephan Kinford, N8WB,
reporting.

—

In addition to the proposed fine the FCC directed Winchester
Wireless was ordered to submit a statement signed under
penalty of perjury stating that it is currently operating
its Wireless Internet Service in compliance with FCC rules
and applicable authorizations. The company was given 30
days from the March 11th release of the Notice to respond to
this demand as well as to appeal the proposed $25,000 fine.
(FCC)

**

RESCUE RADIO: UNDERWATER WI-FI MAY HELP PREDICT TSUNAMIS

Researchers are in the process of testing a new underwater
wi-fi – like network in an attempt to create what amounts to
a deep-sea internet. One that researchers claim could help
detect tsunamis and there by offer a more reliable warning
system.

Unlike traditional wi-fi which uses radio waves, the
submerged technology utilizes sound waves. This is because
radio is able to penetrate water to some degree, but with
severely limited range and stability. But the research team
from the University of Buffalo notes that sound waves
provide a better option as demonstrated by many aquatic
species such as whales and dolphins.

Wireless communication underwater has been possible for some
time, but the problem lies in getting separate systems used
by different organizations to communicate with each other.
The United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration does use acoustic waves to send data from
tsunami sensors on the sea floor to buoys on the surface.
However due to infrastructure differences, this data cannot
be shared quickly with other information gathered by other
agencies such as the US Navy. For that reason the
University of Buffalo researchers are attempting to create a
shared standard to make interaction and data-sharing and
public warning more reliable.

More can be found at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-
24550015 (BBC)

**

RADIO CRIME: COPPER THIEVES TAKE WASHINGTON STATION OFF THE
AIR

Listeners to KLOG radio in Kelso, Washington tuned into dead
air early on Wednesday March 12th. This after thieves stole
a small amount of copper wire from the stations transmitting
site situated along Interstate Route 5.

Station Owner Joel Hanson said he found out about it at
around 3:30 a.m. Hanson found wire cutters at the site and
evidence that someone may have gotten a rather nasty shock.

KLOG was off the air for about 12 hours but station was able
to heard online. Kelso police are investigating but so far
they have no suspects. (RW, other news reports)

**

NAMES IN THE NEW: KA2HPG NAMED NEW RACES OFFICER FOR OSWEGO
COUNTY NY

Fred Koch, KA2HPG, has become the new Radio Officer for the
Oswego County New York Radio Amateur Civil Emergency
Service. Koch received the RACES Service Award in 2013 for
his service to the organization that began back in 1996. He
has participated in all aspects of the communications
systems used by the group and has obtained certification in
the Incident Command System. Koch replaces John Darling,
K2QQY, who recently resigned after holding the post for more
than 20 years. (Oswego County Today)

**

NAMES IN THE NEWS: K6LCS INVITED TO MEET ASTRONAUT LUCA
PARMITANO AT ESA ITALY

According to a posting on Facebook, Clink Bradford, K6LCS,
is among those chosen to spend an afternoon with Italian
Astronaut Luca Parmitano for an afternoon on April 11th.
The event will take place at the European Space Agency’s
facility in Frascati, Italy which is about 12 miles South-
East of Rome. Bradford is very well known for his ham in
space related activities including coordinating contacts
between schools in California and the ham radio operators on
board the I-S-S. He also owns several websites including
one of which contains information on how to start working FM
satellites with equipment you probably already own. More
information and links are under K6LCS on QRZ.com.
(ARNewsline from Facebook)

**

HAM RADIO BUSINESS: JK ANTENNAS AND 2X ARRAYS ANNOUNCE
STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP

JK Antennas and 2X Arrays have announced a strategic
partnership which will combine both design and manufacturing
processes between the two organizations.

JK Antennas has fundamentally focused on producing high
quality long boom mono-band and duo-band antenna designs
that are mechanically robust, with quick time to market of
both new and custom designed models directly from their in-
house manufacturing facility.

2X Arrays has been focused on developing proprietary antenna
design processes ranging from electrical optimization to
physical model electrical testing and tuning.

As part of this strategic partnership, the 2X Arrays antenna
line will now be manufactured at the JK Antennas facility in
Connecticut, USA. JK Antennas will also sell and distribute
both lines through its direct sales and distributorship.
For more information please visit JK Antennas on Facebook.
(JK Antennas, 2X Arrays)

**

HAM HAPPENINGS: OHIO RADIO CLUB TO CELECRATE EARTH DAY

The Parma Radio Club in Parma, Ohio will be conducting its
Second Annual Earth Day Special Event Station on Saturday,
April 19th. Operating from a historic urban farm, the
club’s Earth Day Special Event station, W8PRC will be on 40,
20, and 15 meters SSB near the bottom of each General
segment. A beautiful special QSL card will be available.

Earth Day is intended to encourage everyone to be mindful of
our magnificent planet. Other clubs and individual hams are
urged to celebrate in this unique way and join with more
than 500 million people in 192 countries in observing this
very special remembrance each year.

While the actual date for Earth Day in the United States is
April 22nd, schools and other groups celebrate a week or
more prior to the actual day. More information is posted on
the club’s web site at parmaradioclub.webs.com (K8CMD)

**

ANNUAL EASTERN VHF/UHF/MICROWAVE CONFERENCE

This years Eastern VHF – UHF and Microwave Conference is
slated for April 11th to the 13th at the Baymont Suites in
Manchester, Connecticut. Among those scheduled to present
talks are Fred Stefanik, N1DPM, on a Fresh Approach to a
Multiband Microwave Station; Roger Rehr, W3SZ, speaking
about Aircraft Scatter; Phil Theis, K3TUF, on Advances in
Smart Software Defined Radio Operations and many others.
Full information is on the web at
www.newsvhf.com/vhfconf.html (VHF Reflector)

**

HAM HAPPENINGS: ARRL – TAPR DCC IN AUSTIN TEXAS IN
SEPTEMBER

The 33rd annual ARRL and Tucson Amateur Packet Radio Digital
Communications Conference will take place September 5th to
the 7th in Austin, Texas. This year’s conference will
feature two days of technical forums on Friday and Saturday
along with a concurrent Introductory Forum on Saturday.
Those who submit Technical Papers for inclusion in the
Conference Proceedings will receive preference for a
forum, however anyone can propose to present a session
without submitting a technical paper. Updated information
will be made available on the web at www.tapr.org/dcc (ARRL
– TAPR DCC)

**

HAM HAPPENINGS: CHANGES FOR THE 2014 SAN BERNADINO
MICROWAVE CONTEST

The rules for the 2014 San Bernardino California Microwave
Society 2.3 GHz and Up Contest have been revised. Among the
significant changes is that there is now individual
categories as well as the traditional club competition. All-
band and single band scores will be posted along with the
club aggregate scores. Also stations may be re-worked for
additional distance points when either end of the contact
moves at least 10 miles from any previous location, measured
in a straight line. The contest is slated this year for May
3 and 4 from 6 a.m. Saturday to midnight Sunday, local time.
All the changes and complete rules are on the web at www.ham-
radio.com/sbms (N6NB, VHF Reflector)

**

BREAK 2

This is ham radio news for today’s radio amateur. We are
the Amateur Radio Newsline with links to the world from our
only official website at www.arnewsline.org and being
relayed by the volunteer services of the following radio
amateur:

(5 sec pause here)

**

THE CHANGING OF THE GUARD: SOUTH AFRICAN RADIO PIONEER DAVE
LARSEN ZS6DN – S.K.

South Africa has lost one of its best known and most
dedicated radio amateurs. His name was Dave Larsen,
callsign ZS6DN and as amateur Radio Newsline’s David
Conradie, ZR6DHC tells us, he was truly a ham that gave to
his community, to his nation and the world:

—

Driving between Pretoria and Johannesburg, in Gauteng South
Africa, many a traveler has been intrigued by a farm of
antenna masts on the hill overlooking the main road to the
O.R. Tambo International Airport. Turning off the main road
down a narrow farm track one finds the sign “S.A.L.B.U.” the
home, the office and also the research laboratories of Dave
Larsen, ZS6DN, until recently South Africa’s living legend
of radio, who’s key become silent on 26 February 2014 at
the age of 81.

During his life time Dave worked in the interest of radio
and amateur radio technology development. He installed and
maintained a 5 five band HF beacon as part of an
international Amateur Radio propagation research program.
The multi-band HF beacon is operational from S.A.L.B.U.,
replacing the 14100 kHz beacon of which Dave has been the
custodian since the inception of the program many years ago.
The beacon operates on 14100, 18110, 21150, 24930 and 28200
kHz.

During the seventies Dave and his team evolved an HF
frequency hopping system. The concept was initially
rejected by the experts at the time however some 15 years
later the authoritative publication, Janes Defense weekly
wrote in their 11 July 1987 edition : “Frequency hopping is
probably the most popular spread spectrum technique.
Claimed to have been pioneered in South Africa, it now
appears in tactical equipment manufactured by most of the
major international radio communication companies.”

It also needs to be noted that Dave Larsen was heavily
involved in the development of Single Side Band
communications. In 1989 Dave Larsen, then ZS5DN was awarded
the Order of the Star of South Africa Grand Officer in
recognition of his contribution to electronics.

We salute Dave Larsen, ZS6DN not only for the work he has
done in radio but also for the tremendous amount of time and
effort he spent in making amateur radio better for all of
us. Our sincerest condolences to his family and friends.

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I’m David Conradie, ZR6DHC,
in Rustenberg, South Africa.

—

If you would like to find out more about Dave Larsen and his
contributions to radio you can visit
http://www.tinyurl.com/zs6dn (ZR6DHC)

**

HAM RADIO IN SPACE: FUNCUBE-1 TRANSPONDER TO BE TESTED MARCH
22

A full scale test of the United Kingdom’s FUNcube One
microsat’s 435 to 145 MHz transponder was slated for
Saturday, March 22nd at approximately 09:30 UTC.

When in sunlight FUNcube-1 is normally in what’s known as
its Educational Mode. This means the transponder is off but
the high power beacon transmitting. If the test has gone as
planned, the tiny bird will be switched to Amateur Mode with
the cross-band transponder being turned on and the beacon
placed in into low power out.

Initial plans were to keep FUNcube-1 in this mode for at
least one orbit in order to evaluate the effect on the
satellite of continuous Amateur Mode operation especially in
regard to battery temperature. Results of this test will
likely be made known after complete evaluation of the
telemetry received by controllers on the ground. (FUNcube
Group, Southgate)

**

RADIO FROM SPACE: CURIOSITY NOW HAS THE ABILITY TO TAKE
SELFIES

NASA has installed an upgrade operating system on its
Curiosity Martian rover and in the process it has given the
far off explorer the ability to take selfies.

For those few of you who may not have ever heard the term,
selfie is slang for a picture that one takes of him or
herself and usually posts to some social media website. And
while the rover now has the ability to take selfies, NASA
explained the rational behind this move is to permit it to
examine the effects of wear-and-tear on the rover’s wheels
through photos radioed back to Earth.

Jim Erickson is with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Center in
Pasadena, California. He says that the reason for making
this self photographic system available is to help to better
understand the impact that the Martian terrain type has on
the rovers wheels to help with planning future drive
systems.

The upgrade is the third such for Curiosity, which NASA says
remains in working condition. Once the update is fully
tested NASA says it will order the rover to do a series of
test drives in smooth dirt to determine exactly how much
wear the wheels are experiencing. (NASA)

**

PROPAGATION: KJ6KO BEACONS RETURN TO SERVICE

Greg Stahlman, KJ6KO, of Diamond Springs, California, has
announced over the VHF Reflector that all five of his VHF
and UHF propagation beacons that originate from Grid Square
CM 88 WS are back on the air. The operating frequencies are
144.2824, 222.0110, 432.2812, 903.2961 and 1296.2612. All
are operated using a common identifier that signs de KJ6KO/B
CM88WS. Stahlman had taken the beacons down for a short
wile to do some repairs and improvements to the overall
beacon system. (VHF Reflector)

**

DX

In DX, word that The Czech DXpedition team has organized an
expedition to Togo. Preliminary date is near the end of
September for approximately for 10 days. Activity will be
on 160 through 10 meters using CW, SSB and the digital
modes. Operation during the CQ World Wide DX RTTY Contest
on September 27th and 28th will be a part of the operation.
QSL via OK6DJ either direct, via the bureau, eQSL, Logbook
of the World or using the OQRS on ClubLog.
Bill Moore, NC1L, at the ARRL Awards Desk says that the
current T6DD from Afghanistan has been approved for DXCC
credit. You can now begin claiming credit for this one.
JH3A-F will once again be active as A52EQW from Dochula
Resort in Bhutan at the end of August or in early September.
Other operators with him may include JH3AEF who will operate
as A52AEF and JA3IVU with the call A52IVU. No modes or
operating times were mentioned. QSL via each operator via
his home callsign.

F5MNW will be operating stroke FR from Reunion Island
through April 8th. Activity will be on the High Frequency
bands using CW only. QSL via his home callsign either
direct or via the bureau.

PD7YY and PE1GNP will be active as PH38EU from Terschelling
Island Between April 11th and the14th. Activity will be on
40 through 10 plus 2 meters using SSB. QSL via PD7YY or
PE1GNP, either direct or via the bureau.

JG7PSJ will be active as JD1BMH from Chichijima
Island between April 27th and May 11th. Operations will be
on 40 through 10 meters using CW, SSB and RTTY. QSL via the
bureau to JD1BMH or direct to JG7PSJ

Lastly, UA3AA is on the air from Nepal using the call 9N7AA
until May 23rd. Activity has been on 160 through 10 meters
using CW only. Unfortunately his current location suffers
from some serious RFI issues that affect his ability to hear
the calling stations. QSL direct only.

(Above from OPDX and other DX news sources)

**

THAT FINAL ITEM: VIRTUALLY TRAVEL TO SPACE FOR ONLY $70

And finally this week, researchers from the Surrey Space
Centre in England have launched a unique campaign that will
enable members of the public including radio amateurs a
chance to make a virtual trip into space for only about $70
United States dollars. Amateur Radio Newsline’s Heather
Embee, KB3TZD, has the details:

—

The Surrey Space Center Virtual Ride to Space ride will use
cutting-edge virtual technology and a specially designed
spacecraft to deliver a three-dimensional, immersive
experience that will allow everyone to see what astronauts
experience on their way to space.

The experience will be created by capturing High Definition
video footage collected using a weather balloon which will
carry a cluster of twenty-four cameras to a height of about
65,000 feet. During ascent these cameras will capture
panoramic footage of the balloon’s journey to space.

Following the flight and retrieval of the camera payload a
specialized software package will be used to stitch this
footage together to recreate a panoramic view of the space
trip. The subsequent space ride will then be viewed using a
state-of-the-art virtual reality head-mounted display. This
system is designed to deliver high definition three
dimensional virtual environments that can be explored by the
wearer, as if they are in space themselves.

Dr. Aaron Knoll is the lead researcher from the University
of Surrey. He indicates that the Surrey virtual Ride to
Space will give all aspiring astronauts the chance to be a
virtual passenger, riding the balloon into space at far less
cost than actually making such a trip for in any other way.

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I’m Heather Embee, KB3TZD,
in Berwick, Pennsylvania.

—

The $50,000 project will be funded by public contributions
through the crowd-sourcing Kickstarter website. The project
team is also developing a smartphone application that will
allow users to experience the journey using the phones’
built-in gyroscope and accelerometer data, as well as a
computer program that will allow people to experience space
via their own PC’s.

The fund raising campaign and view the demonstration video
on line at
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1592839372/virtual-ride-
to-space-using-the-oculus-rift
(University of Surrey, International Science Times, others)

**

NEWSCAST CLOSE

With thanks to Alan Labs, AMSAT, the ARRL, CQ Magazine, the
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support us at Amateur Radio NewslineT, 28197 Robin Avenue,
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For now, with Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, at the editors’ desk,
I’m Don Wilbanks, AE5DW, in Southern Mississippi saying 73
and we thank you for listening.

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