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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 M AY 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.