Subj : Amateur Radio Newsline (A
To : All
From : Daryl Stout
Date : Fri Aug 09 2019 01:38 pm
Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2180, for Friday, August 9th, 2019
Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2180, with a release date of
Friday, August 9th, 2019, to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.
The following is a QST. Hams provide critical communications during
a major fire in Arizona. Radio Caroline sets sail on the HF bands --
and the space station pays tribute to a pioneering Silent Key. All
this and more, as Amateur Radio Newsline Number 2180, comes your way
right now.
**
BILLBOARD CART
**
ARIZONA HAMS AID COMMUNICATIONS DURING MASSIVE FIRE
NEIL/ANCHOR: We begin this week's report with word of successful ham
response in the face of a major fire that whipped through northern
Arizona. The blaze, known as the Museum Fire for its proximity to two
major area museums, spread the flames well beyond 50 acres, spurring
the activation of the Coconino (Coca-Nino) County Amateur Radio Club's
emergency operations. The blaze eventually grew to cover more than 500
acres. The club's public information officer, Dan Shearer, N7YIQ, noted
on the group's website, that the club's ARES members staffed the county
Emergency Operations Center, providing communications as aircraft and
special firefighting teams were called in to help contain the blaze.
He said that the club's personnel provided more than 250 hours of radio
support. By the 26th of July, however, the ARES volunteers were placed on
standby. By the 5th of August, the blaze was declared 93 percent contained
but not before it had covered nearly 2,000 acres.
**
A PLEA FOR AMATEUR RADIO FROM MOUNT ATHOS
NEIL/ANCHOR: A special plea to the amateur radio community has come from
a monk living at the monastery on Mount Athos in Greece. Jason Daniels,
VK2LAW, has more on that story.
JASON: A plea for support has been issued to the global amateur radio
community from Monk Iakovos, SV2RSG, a member of the same monastery on
Mount Athos, where the well-regarded DXer, Monk Apollo, SV2ASP/A, lived
before becoming a Silent Key in May of this year. Hoping to provide
emergency communications and other radio contacts from the 20th most
wanted DXCC entity, Monk Apollo had become a ham in 1988, but he was
unable to get on the air for another two years, while he awaited approval
from the Holy Council.
Posting on Sunday, August 4th, in the QR Zed Forums, Monk Iakovos said
he was writing to affirm the validity of his amateur radio license with
the appropriate government authorities, but noted that the monastery
itself has traditionally had no involvement or concern in amateur radio
activities. He wrote that Mount Athos has been going through what he
called {quote} "a time period of total radio silence and relevant
activity," {endquote} largely because the Holy Community fails to
understand the value of amateur radio.
He wrote: {quote} "With the status of a Holy Mount Athos Monk, and as a
Radio Amateur at the same time, I invite and urge you, and all those
who love Mount Athos, and the tradition of Amateur Radio, to join our
hearts and voices in sending letters or emails of support in spirit of
respect to the Holy Community." {endquote} It is his hope that amateur
radio on Mount Athos will not end with the death of Monk Apollo.
For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jason Daniels, VK2LAW.
(QRZ)
**
SILENT KEY: SWISS SHORTWAVE's BOB THOMANN HB9GX
NEIL/ANCHOR: A star of Swiss shortwave radio, where he was a beloved
radio host for decades, has become a Silent Key. Here's Robert
Broomhead, VK3DN, with details.
ROBERT: The founder of the Swiss Shortwave Merry-Go-Round, which aired
during the 1950s on SBC/Swiss Radio International, has become a Silent
Key. Bob Thomann, HB9GX, died on the 3rd of August. Writing on the
Shortwave Listening Post, his former colleague, Bob Zanotti, HB9ASQ,
told of the years when their on-air partnership was known as "The Two
Bobs," a radio team on Swiss Radio International, that lasted for nearly
a quarter century until 1994. He said that Bob maintained a constant
presence on the show, and even when he was hospitalized during the 1980s,
he went on the air courtesy of a telephone hookup.
Archives of the show can still be heard on his website switzerlandinsound
dot com (switzerlandinsound.com). Bob Zanotti called the collection a
memorial to his friend and colleague. He wrote: {quote} "I will always
fondly remember those golden days we shared together." {endquote} Bob
Thomann would have celebrated his 91st birthday in September.
For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Robert Broomhead, VK3DN.
