Subj : Amateur Radio Newsline (A
To : All
From : Daryl Stout
Date : Thu Feb 27 2020 10:18 pm
Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2209, for Friday, February 28th, 2020
Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2209, with a release date of
Friday February 28th, 2020, to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.
The following is a QST. Satellite issues on the South Orkney Islands.
A beloved figure in the D-STAR world becomes a Silent Key -- and
electricity out of thin air?
All this and morem as Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2209,
comes your way right now.
**
BILLBOARD CART
**
CHALLENGES FOR SOUTH ORKNEY DXPEDITIONERS
JIM/ANCHOR: We begin this week with news of challenges facing the
VP8PJ DXpedition team on the South Orkney Islands. The radio
operators, who expect to remain there until March 6th, have had
only limited success with satellite connections - even from the
ship - restricting the regular uploading of logs.
Team member Gene, K5GS, writes Newsline from the island: [quote]
"We've been in contact with the service provider, and we all agree
that the problem is the terrain, and the satellite's low angle in
the sky." [endquote] Meanwhile, Gene said uploads will be done
whenever possible. The team asks hams refrain from emailing pilots
about whether they made it through the pileups into the log. He
writes: [quote] "This is an experienced DX-pedition and Contest
team. If you hear them repeat your call you're in the log."
[endquote]
He added: "Have patience."
The South Orkney Islands are the 16th most wanted DX entity listed
on ClubLog.
(GENE SPINELLI K5GS, GLENN PETRI KE4KY)
**
A MILESTONE FOR WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA D-STAR NET
JIM/ANCHOR: Nothing succeeds like consistency, and that's probably
why the Western Pennsylvania D-STAR Net is getting ready to mark a
major milestone next month. For almost eight years, the Net has
been taking check-ins on Reflector 063C, with Al Losch, N3FKE, as
Net Control. On Monday, March 9th, at 9 p.m. Eastern time, Al will
be running his 400th consecutive net, which he conducts from his
home, just outside Erie, Pennsylvania. Needless to say, he's hoping
it will be the biggest Net ever. Hams, including first-timers, are
invited to check-in, and be part of this proud D-STAR tradition.
**
SILENT KEY: CONNIE BALLANTYNE KB0ZSG
JIM/ANCHOR: The amateur community, especially those on the
International D-STAR Net, are mourning the loss of an unforgettable
YL. Paul Braun, WD9GCO, tells us about her.
PAUL: Sunday nights will never be the same for hams who regularly
checked into the International D-STAR Net during the past few years.
Its longtime net control station, Connie Ballantyne, KB0ZSG
(K B ZERO ZED S G), became a Silent Key on February 21st. The
long-running net, which begins at 7 p.m. Central Time in the U.S.,
has had regular check-ins from around the world. A licensed ham since
1997, she was inspired by her father, who was also a ham radio
operator. When she lived in Missouri, she became active in C.E.R.T.,
A.R.E.S., R.A.C.E.S., Weather Spotting, and Emergency Management.
She wrote on her profile page on QRZ.COM that in 2007, after helping
form the Ozark Mountain Amateur Radio Group, she helped with the
installation of a 2 metre D-STAR repeater, and later became hooked
on the mode. She was also active in the Texas Emergency Amateur
Communications Radio Group in Kingwood, Texas, where she lived. Many
YLs called her an inspiration for women on the radio.
Connie wrote on her QRZ.COM page: "It is great having friends around
the world. It is like an extended family." With her death, that
extended family is now in mourning. Connie Ballantyne, who died of
cancer, was 64.
For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Paul Braun, WD9GCO.
(VIRGINIA OLIVER KC5SAM, DARYL STOUT WX4QZ, QRZ.COM)
**
FCC REJECTS CALIF. HAM'S RENEWAL APPLICATION
JIM/ANCHOR: The Federal Communications Commission has rejected the
license renewal application of William F. Crowell, W6WBJ, the
California amateur who has had a long-running case with the agency,
which has charged him with interference and transmission of
prohibited communications. The FCC, releasing its decision on
February 20th, concurred with an administrative law judge's earlier
ruling, that Crowell's failure to attend a hearing on his
application, justified its dismissal. His license expired in 2007.
Crowell told Newsline he will file an appeal with the D.C. Circuit
Court of Appeals under Secs. 402(b) and (c) of the Communications
Act. He said in an email that although he believes he has the right
to stay on the air in the meantime, he is trying to clarify that
point with the Enforcement Bureau, and would stay off the air
temporarily until then. He said the FCC's decision was based on an
incorrect premise that he had waived his right to a field hearing --
something he called a constitutional right.
Newsline will continue to follow this case as developments warrant.
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