MSGID: 1:135/250@fidonet 685f2801   
   PID: C-NET AMIGA BBS 5.36b   
   Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2487 for Friday, June 27th, 2025   
       
   Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2487 with a release date of Friday, June   
   27th, 2025 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1   
      
   The following is a QST. A mobile cellular service provider applies to use ham   
   radio frequencies for its satellites. LogBook of the World goes offline for   
   upgrades - and mystery signals are heard from The Great Beyond.  All this and   
   more as Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2487 comes your way right now.   
      
   **    
   BILLBOARD CART   
      
   **   
   MOBILE BROADBAND PROVIDER SEEKS AMATEUR FREQUENCIES FOR SATELLITES   
      
   PAUL/ANCHOR: Our top story takes us this week to Washington, D.C. where the   
   Federal Communications Commission has received a request from the 5G broadband   
   service provider AST SpaceMobile to modify its license so that it can transmit   
   on the portion of the 70cm band used by amateur radio. The Texas-based company   
   is seeking the frequencies between 430 and 440 MHz for telemetry, tracking,   
   and telecommand between ground stations and its satellites. At the same time,   
   the company is seeking FCC approval for its operation of 248 low-earth orbit,   
   non-geostationary satellites. It is presently licensed for five.   
      
   The company's request to use the 70cm band is not insignificant: In 2023, the   
   German regulator, BNetzA [pronounced: BEE NETS EH] ordered AST SpaceMobile to   
   shut its operations when in range of the country, citing harmful interference   
   that violated ITU regulations. In March of 2024, the company said it had   
   "updated" its constellation's filings with the ITU and the FCC. It also   
   reduced some of its power levels and changed the heights of its orbits,   
   according to the Advanced Television website.   
      
   AST SpaceMobile is a rival of SpaceX, which operates the StarLink satellite   
   constellation, which is testing direct-to-cell with T-Mobile.   
       
   Earlier this year AT&T and AST SpaceMobile received FCC permission to test   
   direct-to-cellular satellite connectivity.    
      
   Public comments are due by July 21st.   
      
   For a link to the filing, see the text version of this week's newscast at   
   arnewsline.org   
      
   [DO NOT READ: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-25-532A1.pdf   ]   
      
   (FCC, ADVANCED TELEVISION, ZERO RETRIES NEWSLETTER)   
      
   **   
   LOGBOOK OF THE WORLD GOES OFFLINE FOR UPGRADES   
      
   PAUL/ANCHOR: The ARRL has been busy with much more than Field Day. In fact,   
   just as Field Day gets under way, Logbook of the World will be moving to a   
   cloud-computing platform and getting some technical upgrades. Jack Parker   
   W8ISH has those details.   
      
   JACK: Just as hams were making their final preparations for ARRL Field Day   
   here in the US and in Canada, the ARRL was scheduling downtime for Logbook of   
   the World, beginning on June 27th. The ARRL called the process part of the   
   [quote] "ongoing modernization of the ARRL systems infrastructure." [endquote]   
   When completed, the system is to be fully operational on the cloud. The ARRL   
   said the move will ensure that users are protected from physical and   
   network-based security risks.   
      
   The last major service disruption for LoTW was last year, when it was one of   
   several ARRL services that were compromised by a ransomware attack. The ARRL   
   announced its return to service not quite two months later, on July 1st.   
       
   In making the announcement of this year's upgrade, CEO David Minster, NA2AA   
   said on the ARRL website that LoTW would return to full online operations on   
   the 2nd of July -- or sooner, if possible.   
      
   This is Jack Parker W8ISH.   
      
   (ARRL)   
      
   **   
      
   SATELLITE PAINT EXPERIMENT TACKLES 'LIGHT POLLUTION'   
      
   PAUL/ANCHOR: The paint that BMW used six years ago on one of its cars as an   
   experiment, is now being looked at as a way to reduce light-pollution from   
   satellites that has been plaguing radioastronomers. Randy Sly W4XJ has the   
   details.   
      
   RANDY: What is blacker than black? It's the super black paint known as   
   Vantablack and its creator, Surrey NanoSystems, designed it to absorb 98   
   percent of light. BMW tested it out on one of its crossover model X6 cars just   
   as an experiment in 2019. According to Space.com, the paint reflects only 2   
   percent of visible and infrared light.   
      
   Now AMSAT-UK is preparing to launch Vantablack on its Jovian-1 CubeSat mission   
   to test its ability to avoid interference with space telescopes. The Jovian-1   
   goes into space sometime next year. Attendees at this year's AMSAT-UK   
   Colloquium in October can expect to learn more about this adventure in   
   light-pollution reduction.   
      
   Meanwhile if things work out, Vantablack might provide a solution for the   
   private satellite constellations that researchers say have been interfering   
   with ground-based astronomical research. As more satellites are being sent   
   into space, that's not insignificant to observatories here on the ground   
      
   This is Randy Sly W4XJ.   
      
   (LIVESCIENCE, SPACE.COM, AMATEUR RADIO DAILY)   
      
   **   
   UNHEARD-OF DATA SPEED REPORTED FROM CHINESE SATELLITES   
      
   PAUL/ANCHOR: Scientists in China are claiming they have achieved unprecedented   
   speed in sending data from satellites - using low-power laser. Jim Meachen   
   ZL2BHF has that story.   
      
   JIM: In a development that some observers say could someday replace   
   satellites' reliance on RF, scientists in China are claiming that they have   
   developed a transmission method using minimal laser power. The method is known   
   as "AO-MDR synergy" and utilises a 2-watt laser. Scientists at Peking   
   University and the Chinese Academy of Sciences have said that by employing   
   this technique, they recently accomplished a 1 Gigabit-per-second data   
   transmission to Earth from a geostationary satellite.   
      
   Researchers praise the development, adding that it addresses a common   
   challenge for satellite downlinks - the distortion caused by atmospheric   
   turbulence. The developers of the process said that "AO-MDR" addresses this by   
   stabilizing the laser signal even when it faces atmospheric turbulence. The   
   technique combines  Adaptive Optics and Mode Diversity Reception.   
      
   This is Jim Meachen ZL2BHF.   
      
   (MSN, INTERESTING ENGINEERING)   
      
   **   
   FROM THE BBC, FOR ANTARCTICA'S EARS ONLY   
      
   PAUL/ANCHOR: Scientists on the frozen Antarctic continent got a good warm   
   feeling listening to the shortwave radio recently. Graham Kemp VK4BB tells us   
   why.   
      
   GRAHAM: The shortwave broadcast wasn't aiming for big global listenership.   
   Indeed, there were perhaps only a few dozen pairs of ears for whom the special   
   programme was intended. Still, the BBC's Antarctic Midwinter Broadcast is a   
   shortwave tradition Down Under. This year, its 70th anniversary year, was no   
   different. Scientists and support staff of the British Antarctic Survey Team   
   were tuned in on the 21st of June to hear welcoming messages from home -   
   including a pre-recorded greeting from King Charles, the first monarch to   
   participate in the tradition.   
      
   The show only lasted a half-hour but has been a big part of a midwinter at   
   British research stations on the frozen continent for decades.   
      
   This is Graham Kemp VK4BB.   
      
   (BBC, SWLING POST)   
      
   **   
   YOUNGSTERS ON THE AIR CAMP GEARS UP IN EUROPE   
      
   ANCHOR: Here in the US, the Youth on the Air Americas Camp has just wrapped up   
   in suburban Denver, Colorado. Soon, it will be France's turn to host eager   
   young amateurs. Jeremy Boot G4NJH has the details.   
      
   JEREMY: Youngsters on the Air - also known this year as YOTA France - is   
   getting ready for its 13th edition. The camp will be taking place at the   
   Chateau de Jambville near Paris from the 18th through to the 25th of August.   
   It is being hosted by the French national amateur radio society, Rseau des   
   metteurs Franais or REF.   
      
   Although the camp serves primarily youngsters from throughout IARU Region 1,   
   guest campers will be welcomed from Regions 2 and 3. About 100 young amateurs   
   attend these camps each year, participating as teams representing their   
   countries. Previous YOTA summer camps have been held in such countries as   
   Czechia,  Hungary, Croatia, Bulgaria, South Africa and Great Britain.   
      
   This is Jeremy Boot G4NJH.   
      
   (YOTA.COM)   
      
   **   
   BREAK HERE: Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio   
   Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the CQ?UARS   
   UHF and CQ?EARS VHF repeaters in Portugal on Saturdays and Sundays at 12 noon   
   local time.   
      
   **   
   SWEDEN'S GRIMETON RADIO STATION TO SEND JUBILEE MESSAGE   
      
   PAUL/ANCHOR: In Sweden, the Grimeton Radio Station is marking its jubilee year   
   in the most appropriate way possible - can you guess how? Jeremy Boot  G4NJH   
   has some answers.   
      
   JEREMY: The Jubilee Year for the Grimeton Radio Station in Sweden is well   
   under way, having begun last December. The highest point of the year, however,   
   will come on the 2nd of July - the exact date, 100 years ago, that the   
   station's 200kW alternator sent a message across the Atlantic Ocean for   
   receipt by the US president, Calvin Coolidge. The message reached the   
   receiving station in Riverhead, New York - on Long Island - and the president   
   had a reply sent, praising the new broadcaster and sharing his hopes for good   
   relations between Sweden and the US.   
      
   July 2nd is nearly here and the 100-year anniversary of that historic message   
   is being celebrated with a telegram to be transmitted from the station on 17.2   
   kHz using CW at 0900 UTC. The station will be using the original callsign,   
   SAQ, .   
      
   The broadcast can be heard on a receiver with VLF capability and will also be   
   live streamed on YouTube.   
      
   In the meantime, hams wishing to make contact with the amateur radio station   
   SK6SAQ in CW or SSB should be listening on 80, 40 and 20 metres.    
      
   Details are available at alexander dot n dot se (alexander.n.se)   
      
   This is Jeremy Boot G4NJH.   
      
   (THE ALEXANDER ASSOCIATION, AMATEUR RADIO DAILY)   
      
   **   
   BE LISTENING FOR 13 COLONIES SPECIAL EVENT STATIONS   
      
   PAUL/ANCHOR: Just a reminder that the popular 13 Colonies Special Event runs   
   from the 1st of July through to the 8th, UTC. Certificates are available at   
   all levels of achievement. Shortwave listeners and hunters outside the US are   
   welcome, Operators will be using all modes on all HF bands except for 60   
   metres. Be listening as well on 2 and 6 metres.   
      
   See the link in the text version of this week's Newsline script at   
   arnewsline.org   
      
   [DO NOT READ:   13colonies.us ]   
      
   **   
   LIFESAVING SKILLS LEARNED ATOP SOME SOTA SUMMITS   
      
   PAUL/ANCHOR: Being a SOTA activator has given one ham in Australia much more   
   than memorable QSOs, spectacular summit views and some outdoor adventures. It   
   has provided him with some lifesaving skills, as we hear from Jason Daniels   
   VK2LAW.   
      
   JASON: As record-breaking fires consumed huge sections of the Canadian   
   province of Alberta, Wade Smith VK1MIC, was preparing for an activation that   
   would take him into the heart of the destruction. As captain of the   
   communications brigade in the New South Wales Rural Fire Service, Wade   
   responded to Canada's request by traveling from Sydney with the Australian   
   contingent. Wade added his specialised skills in air radio and dispatch to   
   assist the joint Australian-Albertan Incident Management Team operating in the   
   remote northern region of Alberta.   
      
   Facing the challenge of several large fires raging, Wade and his team handled   
   more than 500 radio calls daily. The fire-fighting effort mustered more than   
   20 aircraft involved in operations across several large fires,   
      
   Wade, who is also the VK1 SOTA Association Manager, said his years of SOTA   
   experience have served as great practice for staying focused, handling several   
   stations at once and managing fast-moving communications pile-ups. He said   
   [quote]" "These same skills are directly transferable to coordinating air   
   operations under pressure." [endquote]   
      
   The fires posed hazards on the ground locally as well as for the air quality   
   in much of North America. Weather experts attribute the conditions in the   
   region to an ongoing trend of dry, warm conditions that have been worsened by   
   the global climate crisis.   
      
   This is Jason Daniels VK2LAW.   
      
   (WADE SMITH, VK1MIC, CBC)   
      
   **   
   WORLD OF DX   
      
   In the World of DX, Laurent, FM5BH will be on the air as J79BH from  Dominica,   
   IOTA Number NA-101, from the 25th through to the 29th of June. Listen for him   
   on 80 through 10 metres where he will operate CW and SSB. See QRZ.com for QSL   
   details.   
      
   Harry, JG7PSJ, is using the callsign JD1BMH from Chichijima [CHEE CHEE JEE   
   MUH], IOTA Number AS-031, Ogasawara [OH-GAH-SAH-WARRA] from the 26th of June   
   through to the 4th of July. Harry is using CW, SSB and RTTY on 40-10m. See   
   QRZ.com for QSL details.   
      
   Listen for the callsign KP4NET from Vieques Island, also known as Isla Nena,   
   IOTA Number NA-249. A team of operators will be on the air with that callsign   
   on the 27th through to the 29th of June, mainly on 40, 20 and 10 metres,   
   using  SSB and CW.  See QRZ.com for QSL details.   
      
   Kimmo, OH3DJP, is operating holiday style as OH?/OH3DJP from the Aland   
   Islands, IOTA Number EU-002, until the 1st of July. Kimmo is on various HF   
   bands - also listen on 6 metres. See QRZ.com for QSL details.   
      
   (425 DX BULLETIN)   
      
   **   
   KICKER: MYSTERY SIGNALS FROM THE GREAT BEYOND?   
      
   PAUL/ANCHOR: It?s pretty well-known that some scientists study outer space in   
   search of extraterrestrial life ? but what happens when researchers believe   
   they have instead stumbled upon...the afterlife? Kent Peterson KC?DGY tells us   
   what did - and didn?t -- really happen in this week?s final story.   
      
   KENT: Rest in peace, NASA Relay 2 satellite. The spacecraft was one of two   
   launched at different times in the 1960s by the US space agency to serve as   
   experimental communication satellites. Unlike NASA?s Relay 1, which   
   transmitted American TV signals into Japan and Europe, Relay 2 was used for   
   barely a year. It stopped operations in 1965 and its transponders were   
   believed to have died in 1967    
      
   The key word here is ?believed? - because one year ago this month, researchers   
   in Australia were certain they'd heard Relay 2 returning radio pulses to earth   
   in much the same way some so-called "zombie" satellites, like the famous AMSAT   
   OSCAR-7, have been known to do.   
      
   In this case, no seances or Ouija boards were necessary to understand this   
   message from The Great Beyond. Some scientists theorize that the pulses came   
   from the discharge of electrostatic energy, or ESD, that had built up on Relay   
   2 over time. Another theory is that its impact with a micrometeoroid released   
   a cloud of plasma capable of sending such a signal.   
      
   Researchers plan to study both ESD and the micrometeoroid effect in the hope   
   of a better understanding in the future. It's not about alien life or   
   afterlife, then: Just breathing new life into solving more mysteries of space.   
      
   This is Kent Peterson KC?DGY.   
      
   (NEW SCIENTIST)   
      
   **   
   A good QSO can be like poetry - sometimes! So why not write a haiku about   
   amateur radio and join the Newsline haiku challenge? It's as easy as writing a   
   QSL card. We can only accept the correct haiku format - that is, a three-line   
   verse with five syllables in the first line, seven in the second and five in   
   the third. Submit your work on our website at arnewsline.org - each week's   
   winner gets a shout-out on our website, where everyone can find the winning   
   haiku.   
      
   NEWSCAST CLOSE   
      
   With thanks to Advanced Television; Alexanderson Association; Amateur News   
   Daily; AMSAT; ARRL; BBC; CBC; David Behar K7DB; DX World; 425DX Bulletin; FCC;   
   Interesting Engineering; LiveScience; MSN; New Scientist; QRZ.com; Radio   
   Society of Great Britain; Radio World; Shortwaveradio.de; Space.com; SWLing   
   Post; Wade Smith, VK1MIC; Wireless Institute of Australia; YOTA.com; Zero   
   Retries Newsletter; and you our listeners, that's all from the Amateur Radio   
   Newsline.  We remind our listeners that Amateur Radio Newsline is an   
   all-volunteer non-profit organization that incurs expenses for its continued   
   operation. If you wish to support us, please visit our website at   
   arnewsline.org and know that we appreciate you all. We also remind our   
   listeners that if you like our newscast, please leave us a 5-star rating   
   wherever you subscribe to us. 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. As always we thank you for listening. Amateur   
   Radio Newsline(tm) is Copyright 2025. All rights reserved.   
      
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