[Attachment(s) from James KB7TBT included below]

Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2051, February 17th, 2017

Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2051 with a release date of Friday,
February 17th, 2017 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.

The following is a QST. Intensive studies of the ionosphere are resuming at
last at a high-profile research site in Alaska. A group of DXers in the U.S.
gets a ham in the North Cook Islands on the air after three decades - and
shortwave listeners prepare for their 30th annual gathering. All this and
more as Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2051 comes your way right now.
 
**
BILLBOARD CART

PAUL: We open this week's report with word that the ionosphere, the very
thing that lets us hams BE hams, is about to go back under formal scientific
scrutiny this month at a former military site in Alaska. Now, of course, the
study is an academic exercise, as we learn from Amateur Radio Newsline's Jim
Damron N8TMW.

JIM'S REPORT:: The University of Alaska at Fairbanks is about to embark on
its first radio research project later this month at the High Frequency
Active Auroral Research Program site. The experiments will occur within
HAARP's transmitter tuning range of 2.7 to 10 MHz. According to university
researcher Chris Fallen KL3WX, the transmissions are likely to be audible
outside Alaska and may even be visibly detected within the state.

He said that if conditions are favorable, HAARP radio transmissions may also
be heard from virtually anywhere in the world using an inexpensive shortwave
radio. The transmissions' exact frequencies will not be determined until
right before the experiment and will be posted on Twitter as soon as they are
known. Listeners are advised to follow the site by its Twitter handle, which
is at-U-A-F-G-I (@UAFGI).

The work is being done under a grant from the National Science Foundation.
The university took over the Gakona, Alaska site 18 months ago from the U.S.
Air Force, which had used the 40-acre grid of antennas and powerful array of
HF transmitters to conduct research into the properties and behavior of the
ionosphere.

Later experiments will include a look at over-the-horizon radar and
satellite-to-ground communications.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jim Damron N8TMW

(UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA, ARRL)

**

NO RADIO SILENCE IN ANTARCTICA

PAUL: In another cold place, on the opposite end of the planet, hams still
await signals from hams at McMurdo Station in Antarctica. There are, however,
alternatives as we hear from Amateur Radio Newsline's Jeremy Boot G4NJH.

JEREMY'S REPORT: The ice hasn't melted in Antarctica but there appears to be
something of a thaw anyway - at least in terms of amateur radio
communications. The KC4USV operation at McMurdo Station hasn't been on the
air in two years but if you've been listening during the last few weeks you
might have heard someone else - KC4AAA -- at the U.S. Amundsen-Scott South
Pole Station. Sure enough, there was activity on SSB on 40 meters. Even
though the station wasn't on the air too often during 2016, it was active in
December and January and will be sending out QSL cards in March, according to
the QSL Manager Larry Skilton K1IED (KAY-ONE-EYE-EE-DEE).

If you can't get through to KC4AAA, try Mikhail "Mike" Fokin, RI1AND, at
Novolazarevskaya Base, Antarctica. He has been working stations in the U.S.
on 40 and 20 meters using PSK31. You also have a few more days - until the
22nd of February, to contact Oleg Neruchev, ZS1OIN/UA3HK. He is active as
RI1ANN from the Russian Progress station.

Meanwhile, McMurdo Station KC4USV is waiting for a thaw of its own and K1IED
requests, on its QRZ page, that hams contact the National Science Foundation
and press them to put the station back on the air.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jeremy Boot G4NJH.


(THE DAILY DX, QRZ)

**

THIS 'COMEBACK KID' IS AN OM

PAUL: What's more satifying as making radio contact with a ham from the North
Cook Islands? How about...helping him get on the air in the first place!
Amateur Radio Newsline's Jim Meachen ZL2BHF tells us that story.

JIM: There's a voice back on the HF bands, and the sound of some
well-practiced Code, coming from the North Cook Islands that some longtime
hams haven't heard in about 30 years. Pia Taraeka E51PT, also known as Papa
Pia, has had his license but until recently little else to get on the air.

That all changed recently thanks to two hams from the Western Washington DX
Club, W7DX. Papa Pia received a donation of radio gear from Bob Nielsen N7XY.
Another club member, Bengt-Erik Norum K7ADD/E51AMF, who has been active from
the region on a DXpedition, helped get the shack up and running again. The DX
Club is one of the West Coast's largest, most active radio clubs on the West
Coast.

Now Papa Pia can resume a radio career that began in 1962 when he was
employed as a radio operator for the Cook Island and New Zealand governments.
His amateur radio activity ended in 1984, he says in his QRZ profile.

He's back now, so be listening for him and please note - if you contact him,
he only accepts QSL cards mailed directly to him.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jim Meachen, ZL2BHF.


(THE DAILY DX, COOK ISLANDS NEWS)

**
HONORING A HEROIC HAM AND HIS CREW

PAUL: There is a movement to honor the heroic and quick-thinking actions of
one amateur radio operator and three other crew members on board a military
aircraft nearly 43 years ago. We hear more from Amateur Radio Newsline's Don
Wilbanks AE5DW.

DON's REPORT: On September 15th, 1974 Staff Sergeant Homer Perry K4YZJ and
three other crewmen on board a C-7A aircraft serving with the 94th Tactical
Airlift Wing at Dobbins Air Force Base in Georgia were on a local training
mission with 13 Aeromedical personnel on board.

During the takeoff roll, the number-2 engine exploded and erupted into
flames. Unable to abort the takeoff, they continued and attempted a go-around
and began shut down procedures on the number-2 engine and to extinguish the
fire.

Due to a magnesium fire in the engine nacelle, practically impossible to put
out, the first attempt to extinguish the fire failed. Witnesses testified
seeing flames trailing as much as 100 feet behind the number-2 engine.

With an unsuccessful first attempt, the crew discharged the remaining engine
fire extinguisher, also unsuccessful. The aircraft commander was able to turn
the aircraft around and lined up with the opposite runway as the fire
eventually self-extinguished.
The crew made a successful emergency landing and safely evacuated all
personnel on the aircraft. Investigators say that had the fire not been
extinguished, the aircraft would have likely exploded in mid-flight resulting
in wing separation. The rapid and decisive actions of the crew resulted in
the saving of 17 lives and a multi-million-dollar aircraft from total
destruction.

There is a petition to award the crew the Distinguished Flying Cross for
their heroism.  If you would like to add your name to honor Homer Perry,
K4YZJ and the rest of this brave crew please visit www.thepetitionsite.com,
click browse and search for Heroism after 43 years.  The detailed link can be
found in the printed edition of this week's Newsline report.  You can also
visit the Facebook page.  Facebook.com/DFCfortheC7crew.

Let's see these heroes get the recognition they deserve.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Don Wilbanks, AE5DW.


http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/812/048/032/


**

SHORTWAVE FEST LONG ON AMBITION

PAUL: Listen up! There's still time to register for the 30th anniversary of
the Shortwave Listeners' Fest in Pennsylvania. Amateur Radio Newsline's
Stephen Kinford N8WB has those details.

STEPHEN: The North American Shortwave Association is looking for a few good
listeners. Well, more than a few, actually. Radio hobbyists are gathering in
Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania, just north of Philadelphia, from March 2nd
through March 4th for the Winter SWL-Fest. They will explore scanning,
satellite TV, shortwave, mediumwave and even take a look at pirate
broadcasting. Attendees in the past have typically included broadcasters from
Voice of America, Trans World Radio, Swiss Radio International and China
Radio International, among others. There will also be a late-night listening
session on Friday, which will include a celebration of the 30th anniversary
of the SWL-Fest.

Yes there's still time to register and you can do that online. Visit
swlfest.com for details.

For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Stephen Kinford N8WB

(NORTH AMERICAN SHORTWAVE ASSOCIATION)


**

BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline,
heard on bulletin stations around the world including W5AW, the Big Springs
Amateur Radio Club Repeater in Big Springs, Texas, on Thursdays at 8 p.m.


**

NEWEST RADIO INTERFERENCE UNDER THE SUN?

PAUL/ANCHOR: Though a solar array can save some homeowners big on their
energy bills, it's very possible nearby amateurs are paying a price on the
bands. If you are experiencing interference on the air and you believe the
source is a nearby solar array, the Federal Communications Commission wants
to hear from you. Whether the solar setup is right next door or a few doors
down, the agency would like you to document the issue and explain why you
believe the solar array is the source of problem. They can then proceed with
the investigation.

According to the FCC's Deborah Chen, complaints can be filed with the agency
and should include any or all of the following: photographs, recordings and
any other meaningful supportive documents.

Submit your complaints on the agency website at
consumercomplaints-dot-fcc-dot-gov (consumercomplaints.fcc.gov).
"Consumercomplaints" is one word.

In followup contacts with the FCC, be sure to mention your complaint ticket
number.

**

TWO SILENT KEYS FOR THE CENTURY

PAUL: We note now the recent passing of two Silent Keys who were not just
longtime radio operators but centenarians. Amateur Radio Newsline's Heather
Embee KB3TZD has the details.

HEATHER:The amateur radio world has lost two among its most senior operators.
In Russia, Oleg S. Klyucharev ( pronounced 'clue-cha-rev '), U-1-A-U, became
a Silent Key the age of 102. At the time of his death on January 31st, Oleg
was an active amateur radio operator. He died only days after Charlie
Hellman, W-2-R-P, became a Silent Key in the United States at the age of 106.
Oleg had been licensed since 1933 and got his present call sign the following
year. A veteran of World War II, he had been a member of the Amateur Radio
Association of St. Petersburg.

Charlie, who lived in New York's Hudson Valley, died on January 25th. He had
been licensed for 92 years an d was honored in 2015 by the Quarter Century
Wireless Association with a "90 Year Continuous Licensed" certificate award.

Another very senior radio enthusiast, a former licensed ham, died on January
28th at the age of 108. Mary Cousins was no longer active as W-1-G-S-C, but
she got her license in 1933 becoming the first woman in the state of Maine to
become a ham radio operator.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Heather Embee, KB3TZD

(ARRL)

**

THE WORLD OF DX


In the world of DX, it's time to look to those mountain tops, with two Summit
to Summit events planned in March. The first organised by Mike 2E0YYY and
Andrew VK1AD is a long path Europe to Australia event for Saturday 11 March
2017 starting at 06:30 UTC. Activity will be SSB or CW on 20 metres. The
second event planned by Pete WA7JTM and Andrew VK1AD is for the
Australia-North America path is later in the UTC day from 19:30 UTC, or
6:30am Sunday in Eastern Australia.  Check reflector.sota.org.uk for details
of both events. Contacts with home stations are welcome from the SOTA
activators however those contacts between the mountain peaks are very special.


Several U.S. operators are operating from Guantanamo Bay until February 24th.
Be listening for KG4WV, KG4AW, KG4DY and KG4ZK. Visit each of their pages on
QRZ.COM for details about QSL cards.

Alain F5OZC and Sebastien F8DQZ are operating until February 26th from the
Los Islands off the coast of Guinea. They are using the call sign 3XY3D.
Their QSL manager is F5OZC.

Listen for Eric SM1TDE who will be active as 5X8EW from Entebbe in Uganda
from February 23rd through the 26th. You can hear him on 40 meters through 10
meters using CW. Send QSL cards to his home call sign.


(IRISH RADIO TRANSMITTERS SOCIETY, OHIO PENN DX)

**

KICKER: A VERY MERRY "CHRISTMAS HAM"

PAUL: We close this week's report with the story of a newly ticketed amateur
who may not be the ONLY ham on an Indian Ocean island but he might just be
its newest. Amateur Radio Newsline's John Williams VK4JJW tells us his tale.

JOHN'S REPORT: He's calling himself the Christmas Ham even though it's
already February. Cliff Tindall, VK9VKL, is a new licensee who has chosen to
announce his advent on the bands by posting on QRZ.COM and on his blog.

He says he's the newest ham on Christmas Island -- even if he can't get on
the air just yet.

Christmas is coming soon enough for Cliff, however, because his rig, antenna
and other equipment are on their way to his remote location in the Indian
Ocean, 870 miles northwest of Australia. He explains on QRZ how his
relatively remote location made a Foundation license impractical for him as a
DXer, so he studied even more intensely to qualify for a Standard ticket.

It's challenging and lonely not having regular club meetings or an Elmer next
door, so while Cliff awaits the contents of his new shack to be delivered,
he's been blogging at Vee-Kay-Nine-Vee-Kay-Ell-dot-island-dot-Cee-EX
(vk9vkl.island.cx) bringing the world up to date. As of early February,
there's a G5RV enroute to be his starter antenna and a Yaesu FTDX 1200
transceiver - among all the other items on his Christmas list.

Meanwhile, he's puzzling out the slow and costly process of sending those
eventual QSL cards out. For their eventual recipients, they're bound to
become Christmas cards of a very different sort.

For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm John Williams VK4JJW.

(QRZ, SOUTHGATE)

**
NEWSCAST CLOSE: With thanks to Alan Labs; the ARRL; CQ Magazine; Cook Islands
News; The Daily DX; DX Coffee; Hap Holly and the Rain Report; Irish Radio
Transmitters Society; North American Shortwave Association; Ohio-Penn DX
Bulletin; QRZ.COM; Southgate Amateur Radio News; Ted Randall's QSO Radio
Show; University of Alaska; WTWW Shortwave; and you our listeners, that's all
from the Amateur Radio Newsline. Please send emails to our address at
newsline@arnewsline.org. More information is available at Amateur Radio
Newsline's only official website located at www.arnewsline.org.

For now, with Caryn Eve Murray, KD2GUT, at the news desk in New York, and our
news team worldwide, I'm Paul Braun WD9GCO in Valparaiso Indiana saying 73
and as always we thank you for listening.

Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) is Copyright 2017. All rights reserved.


***

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