Subj : Amateur Radio Newsline (A)
To : All
From : Daryl Stout
Date : Thu Oct 29 2020 08:49 pm
Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2244, for Friday, October 30th, 2020
Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2244, with a release date of
Friday, October 30th, 2020, to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.
The following is a QST. A repeater is vandalized in the midst of a
raging wildfire. New Zealand hams lose the 5 MHZ band -- and setting
new distance records via satellite. All this and more, as Amateur
Radio Newsline Report Number 2244, comes your way right now.
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BILLBOARD CART
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VANDALS DESTROY FIREFIGHTERS' RADIO REPEATER
STEPHEN/ANCHOR: The Colorado wildfires have been big news here in the
United States, and we open our newscast with that story. As firefighters
struggled to contain one sprawling blaze, a critical radio repeater was
destroyed by what authorities believe to be malicious vandalism. Jack
Parker, W8ISH, picks up the story from here.
JACK: A portable radio repeater, being used by firefighters at the
massive Williams Fork Fire in Colorado, has been vandalized. The United
States Forest Service is investigating, after one of its temporary
repeater sites was destroyed in early October, rendering the radios of
firefighters useless, as they struggled against the blaze, which is
believed to have been started in August as a result of human activity.
The firefighters were using the radios to communicate with their command
post.
The fire burned more than 14,000 acres, but no evacuation orders were
given.
According to news reports, firefighters found the repeater in pieces,
with the guy wires cut. The antenna had been snapped off. Replacement
parts were found, and repairs were made, but the forest service is
continuing its probe.
For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jack Parker, W8ISH.
(NBC CHANNEL 9, FOX NEWS 31)
**
NEW ZEALAND AMATEURS LOSING 5 MHz BAND
STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Bad news for hams in New Zealand, who have been logging
contacts on 5 MHz. Jim Meachen, ZL2BHF, tells us what's happening.
JIM: Amateur access to the 5 MHz band was just a trial, and now, that
trial is coming to an end. Hams have gone off the air on the band, as of
midnight on Saturday, the 24th of October. The New Zealand Association
of Radio Transmitters informed the amateur community that the New Zealand
Defence Force was unwilling to grant yet another renewal for amateurs to
continue the trial operation. The defence force needs this part of the HF
spectrum for tactical radio equipment, refurbished HF site equipment, and
its various new platforms.
According to NZART, discussions will continue with the nation's regulator,
the RSM, to explore other ways that amateurs may be given access to those
frequencies. Hams had been operating on 60 metres after access was renewed
for three more months this past July.
For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jim Meachen, ZL2BHF.
(SOUTHGATE, NZART)
**
RESEARCHERS DEVELOP 'GAME-CHANGING' SOLAR PANEL
STEPHEN/ANCHOR: If you enjoy operating portable with the help of a solar
panel or two, you might find this report particularly promising. Jeremy
Boot, G4NJH, shares the news.
JEREMY: Researchers are calling the work of scientists at the University
of York a potential "game-changer" in the world of solar panels. By
putting a checkerboard design on the panel's face, the researchers have
upgraded its ability to absorb light by 125 percent. According to a
report posted on the website GoodNewsNetwork.org, the panel could
possibly be developed to absorb far more solar energy than today's
panels.
Replacing the traditional flat panel surface with a checkerboard design
is said to increase the diffraction rate, and thus the likelihood that
more light can be absorbed. The research team believes this could also
result in panels that are thinner, lighter, and more flexible.
The team's findings were published recently in the Journal Optica.
For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.
(GOODNEWSNETWORK.ORG)
**
VERMONT AMATEUR PREPARES TO DEFEND REVISED TOWER PLAN
STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Our next story revisits a local battle against radio
towers. Newsline reported in July about the challenge facing a Vermont
ham, who had plans for two towers on his property. He has responded to
neighbors' objections, and the next step comes in a few days, as local
officials weigh in. Here's Andy Morrison, K9AWM, with an update.
ANDY: Addressing neighbors' concerns, Zach Manganello, K1ZK, has
downsized his original proposal for two 84-foot towers in his Vermont
backyard, and now hopes to get the nod from local officials for his
modified plan: a 36-foot antenna attached to his house, and a
freestanding 50-foot tower. On Thursday, November 12th, the
Telecommunications Review Board will hold a hearing to review his
changes, and the result of a visual impact test he did in October, a
balloon float designed to show what Zach has in mind will not block
neighbors' views of the Green Mountains.
Zach, who has been a ham since he was 14 years old, told Newsline in
an email, that he hopes to receive a decision before construction begins
in 2021.
For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Andy Morrison, K9AWM.
