News
Australian Govt to Take Back VK Ham Admin Functions:
by VK6IS 2023-05-27The Australian Maritime College will withdraw from providing amateur radio services, with it choosing not to renew the outsourcing deed with the Australian government to perform certain services such as amateur exam administration and call sign issue.
Gomez Nominated for Vacant FCC Seat, Two Commissioners Renominated:
by AB7RG 2023-05-26President Joe Biden announced three nominees for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on May 22, 2023. The President will nominate Anna M. Gomez for a vacant FCC seat. Two sitting Commissioners, Geoffrey Starks and Brendan Carr, will be nominated for new terms at the same time.
Amateur Radio Military Appreciation Day 2023: History, Dates and Facts:
by AB7RG 2023-05-26Amateur Radio Military Appreciation Day, also known as ARMAD and observed on May 27 this year, is an annual holiday on which amateur radio operators from around the world collaborate to allow members of different communities to congregate in public places (such as a Walmart, public park, or football game). Over a two-way radio, community members express verbal and real-time support for military personnel and those affiliated with the military (veterans, coalition forces, first responders, and military support organizations). Members of the military are able to hear and sense the gratitude of the community. It is a chance to publicly and verbally honor those on the front lines.
USS Montrose to be On-Air During Ham Radio Museum Ships Weekend:
by AB7RG 2023-05-26June 3 and 4 mark the annual Museum Ships Weekend amateur radio event during which amateur radio operators around the world commemorate the service of historic ships by operating from ship memorials, museums, or the actual ships themselves. The Montrose Amateur Radio Club will operate from the USS Montrose Memorial both days. Club members will operate an amateur radio station from the ship's memorial on South First Street in Montrose on Saturday and Sunday, June 3 and 4, as part of the world-wide event sponsored by the Battleship New Jersey Amateur Radio Station, according to Lew French, the event coordinator. He said this is the fifth year that the USS Montrose Memorial will participate. The event encourages ham radio operators to contact as many of the participating museum ships as possible, learn the history of the ships contacted, and commemorate both the ships and those who served on them. There are currently more than 90 ships participating this year.
ARRL and FEMA Sign Agreement: Ham Radio is as Relevant as Ever:
by AB7RG 2023-05-26The agreement emphasizes the importance of skilled Amateur Radio Operators in times of crisis and the role of ARES leadership within the emergency communications space.
Propagation Forecast Bulletin #21 de K7RA:
by AB7RG 2023-05-26Both average daily sunspot numbers and solar flux increased this week. Average daily sunspot numbers rose from 118.6 to 133.4, while average solar flux went from 143.2 to 161.2. Geomagnetic indicators were more active. Average daily planetary A index went from 9.6 to 17.1, while average middle latitude A index rose from 9.6 to 14.4. Predicted solar flux is 150 on May 26, 155 on May 27 and 28, then 150, 145, 140 and 135 on May 29 through June 1, 155 on June 2 to 4, then 160, 165, 160, 155, and 150 on June 5 to 9, 145 on June 10 and 11, 150 on June 12, 155 on June 13 and 14, 160 on June 15, 165 on June 16 and 17, then 160, 155 and 150 on June 18 to 20, 155 on June 21 and 22, then 160, 165 and 160 on June 23 to 25, 155 on June 26 and 27, 150 on June 28, and 155 on June 29 to July 1, then 160, 165 and 160 on July 2 to 4.
Astronauts Interact with Students and Share Living in Space Experiences:
by AB7RG 2023-05-26RIYADH -- Saudi astronauts Rayyanah Barnawi and Ali Al Qarni interacted with a group of students and shared their incredible experiences of living in space. The astronauts contacted the students over a ground station in Riyadh, using radio amateur frequencies from the International Space Station (ISS) where they are staying after arrival on Monday. Barnawi and Al Qarni answered diverse questions of curious students with regard to their ways of living in space and the daily routine of life aboard the ISS. They also shared with them the unique and inexplicable experiences and feelings about their space voyage. The radio contact was made possible through coordination with the Saudi Space Commission, in partnership with the Ministry of Education and the Communications, Space and Technology Commission, and in cooperation with the Saudi Amateur Radio Society. The interaction was aimed to engage students in knowledge of science and inspire their curiosity about space and future technologies.
DX News -- ARRL DX Bulletin #21:
by AB7RG 2023-05-25This week's bulletin was made possible with information provided by HA7VK, OZ2I, The Daily DX, 425 DX News, DXNL, Contest Corral from QST and the ARRL Contest Calendar and WA7BNM web sites. Thanks to all.
