Subj : Amateur Radio Newsline (C)
To : All
From : Daryl Stout
Date : Fri Dec 21 2018 11:03 am
GERMAN SPECIAL EVENT STATION TAKES FLIGHT
NEIL/ANCHOR: Hams in Germany are marking a big moment in commercial
aviation history, and Ed Durrant, DD5LP, has that story.
ED: Sometimes the best way to celebrate a successful effort in the air
is by having a special event *on* the air. A number of stations in
Germany are preparing now for a special event station that begins on
January the 1st, as an exercise in German pride in aviation. This is
the DF13 special event, marking the 100th anniversary of the maiden
journey of an aircraft considered the mother of commercial flight.
That airplane, the Junkers F-13, takes its name from its designer,
aviation pioneer Hugo Junkers, who designed the world's first all-metal
transport plane for civilian use. It took to the skies on June 25th,
1919.
Be listening for a number of stations whose call signs include DF13 -
they are DF13DEJU, DF13BLN and DF13BUD and DF13MUC. Direct QSL cards
can be sent to DM2TO. Cards sent via the bureau will be confirmed
after the 15th of July. The special call signs will be in use until the
event concludes on June the 30th.
For more details, visit their QRZ.com page, or visit juf13 dot de, which
is written in German.
For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Ed Durrant, DD5LP.
(QRZ.COM)
**
IN WASHINGTON STATE, IT'S A "HAM JAM"
NEIL/ANCHOR: In Washington state, hams are taking Elmering to a new
level, as Andy Morrison, K9AWM, tells us.
ANDY: You've heard of the OMISS Net, the Rooster Net, the Hurricane Net,
and of course, various ARES Nets - but how about the "safety net?" The
West Seattle Amateur Radio Club in Washington state, calls theirs a
"ham jam", and it's a new program the club launched recently to provide
support to newly ticketed Technicians who may feel intimidated when
trying to make their first contacts on the air. The first three-week
gathering, which concluded on the 17th of December, took Group Elmering
to a new level. Jim Edward, WS7JIM, told Newsline that the concept began
with Mei, KI7TZA (Kilo India 7 Tango Zulu Alpha), one of the club members,
who realized that many Technicians get their tickets only to disappear,
and eventually lose interest.
Jim said no set agenda was planned - other than serving cookies.
Discussions addressed the new hams' needs. On each of the three "ham jam"
nights, the new licensees all got to check in on the club's weekly net
from a room at a local senior center that the club had reserved for the
gathering. The Technicians learned about net control, how repeaters work,
and how to program their HTs. They also learned about EchoLink and various
different types of radios.
Jim noted that the 75-year-old club has seen tremendous growth lately,
driven in particular by the area's need for increased emergency
preparedness. They are located in a part of the Pacific Northwest, viewed
as overdue for an earthquake.
Jim told Newsline [quote] "The success of these sessions was obvious from
the start." [endquote] Now the club has added a monthly Elmer's breakfast
to its calendar, to keep the discussions going. After all, what goes
better with any jam than a good breakfast?
For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Andy Morrison, K9AWM.
**
SANTA's HO-HO-HOPING FOR GOOD DX
NEIL/ANCHOR: In case you were wondering, in this holiday season, hams
around the world once again have "CLAUS" to celebrate. Here's Mike Askins,
KE5CXP, with details.
MIKE: Walking in Santa's boots is a tall order, but ham radio operators
have almost always been up to the challenge. It just takes a lot more
hams to do it because, well, Santa is Santa. Here in the U.S., there are
a number of Santa Nets - and over the years in Europe, there have been
the traditional Christmas activations for Santa himself - OH9SCL,
PB18XMAS, PD18SANTA, and 3Z0XMAS. There is also OF9X - Old Father Nine
Christmas - calling Q R Zed to true believers as he makes his rounds.
This year, hams in Romania are taking things one step further, with the
third edition of the YP-XMAS activations. The coordinator, Sorin, YO2MSB,
told Newsline [quote] "it is an effort of almost twenty activators to
make a beautiful event." [endquote] That's a lot of Santas - and so they
are spread out across the spectrum, and across the modes. That means that
this year, in addition to SSB, QSOs will be taking place in CW and digital
modes, on VHF, UHF, on repeaters, and FT-8. Work three different call
signs, and Santa has a gift for you to unwrap: an award sent
electronically.
Sorin told Newsline [quote]: "It is a generous wide-open event, with no
other rules, than respect of the DX Code of Conduct." [endquote]
So, if you are working YP2XMAS, YP3XMAS, or any of the other activators
up to YP9XMAS, be patient and listen carefully. You might just hear a
Q-R-Zed that sounds a little bit like a "Ho-Ho-Ho."
For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Mike Askins, KE5CXP.
NEIL/ANCHOR: As for OF9X, the famous Santa operation from Lapland,
Finland, gets on the air Friday, December 21 at 1800 UTC this year, and
continues through the 31st of December. According to the station's page
on the QR Zed website, Santa is getting the younger generation of elves
a little more involved in the on-air holiday spirit.
