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   Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2498 for Friday, September 12th, 2025   
        
   Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2498 with a release date of Friday,   
   September 12th, 2025 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.   
      
   The following is a QST. Broadband satellites gain limited use of amateur   
   frequencies. Hams in India convert their licenses to digital format -- and   
   questions are raised about  the current solar-cycle prediction methods. All   
   this and more as Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2498 comes your way   
   right now.   
      
   **   
   FCC GRANTS LIMITED USE OF AMATEUR BANDS TO AST SPACEMOBILE   
      
   JIM/ANCHOR: As Newsline went to production, the Federal Communications   
   Commission approved limited use of amateur frequencies for 20 satellites to be   
   deployed by a Texas broadband company. Travis Lisk N3ILS has the details.   
      
   TRAVIS: The FCC's Space Bureau said in a statement that it was giving   
   permission to AST SpaceMobile to use frequencies between 430 and 440 MHz on an   
   emergency basis only, The regulator said its move was in direct response to   
   overwhelming concerns raised by amateur radio operators.   
      
   Citing potential interference among their issues, member societies of the   
   International Amateur Radio Union, AMSAT, the ARRL and individual amateurs   
   worldwide also argued that alternate UHF allocations exist for the satellites'   
   telemetry, tracking and command functions. More than 2,500 comments were   
   submitted to the FCC .   
       
   The FCC's action gives use of the amateur frequencies to the satellites for no   
   more than a 24-hour period. The amateur radio 70cm band is used by hams   
   worldwide for such applications as mobile FM voice, analogue and digital TV,   
   digital data transmission, amateur radio satellites and weak-signal   
   communications on SSB and CW.   
      
   AST SpaceMobile ultimately plans a full constellation of 248 satellites for   
   broadband service from space.   
      
   This is Travis Lisk N3ILS.   
      
   (AMATEUR NEWS DAILY, FCC, IARU)   
      
   **   
      
   FCC EYES GIVING OK TO MOBILE PHONE JAMMING AT PRISONS   
      
   JIM/ANCHOR: Jamming is illegal in the United States but the FCC  is   
   considering whether to give prisons permission to jam cell phones of inmates.   
   Kent Peterson KC?DGY has more details.   
      
   KENT: The Federal Communications Commission hopes to grant federal and state   
   prisons the right to jam mobile phones that have been smuggled in to inmates.   
      
   The commission has scheduled a vote this month to remove a restriction that   
   keeps the prisons from such jamming. The inmates are not authorized to have   
   the phones, which the commission said are being used to assist them in   
   conducting  criminal activity while behind bars.   
      
   US law prohibits the use - and even the sale or distribution - of any   
   equipment that can jam authorized signals such as radio communication, police   
   radar, GPS devices and cell phones. Jamming is forbidden under the   
   Communications Act of 1934, which has been amended and updated since its   
   original drafting.    
      
   The vote is scheduled for September 30th.   
      
   This is Kent Peterson KC?DGY.   
      
   (ASSOCIATED PRESS, FCC)   
      
   **   
   MANDATE FOR INDIAN HAMS TO CONVERT TO DIGITAL LICENSES   
      
   JIM/ANCHOR: In India, amateurs have been facing a deadline to migrate their   
   licenses from the old paper-based format to digital via a web portal, as we   
   hear from Graham Kemp VK4BB.   
      
   GRAHAM: Hams in India who received amateur radio licences in paper form are   
   being required to replace those certificates with a digital licence no later   
   than the 15th of September by logging into the Saral Sanchar, a web-based   
   portal of the Department of Telecommunications.   
      
   There is no application fee for the process, which provides amateurs with a QR   
   code-authenticated certificate. This is the equivalent of the amateur radio   
   booklets that had been issued manually with paper certificates until December   
   31st, 2019.   
      
   In early 2020, India began issuing all new and renewed amateur radio   
   certificates digitally. The Telecommunication Rules of 2024 now require the   
   holders of the older paper certificates to use the digital web-based portal as   
   well. Failure to migrate will mean that when the licence expires, it cannot be   
   renewed.   
      
   This is Graham Kemp VK4BB.   
      
   (AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY OF INDIA, INSTITUTE OF AMATEUR RADIO IN KERALA)   
      
   **   
   DOUBTS ABOUT SOLAR CYCLE PREDICTION METHODOLOGY   
      
   JIM/ANCHOR: Like a solar storm itself, a controversy over solar cycle   
   predictions is heating up. Andy Morrison K9AWM tells us more.   
      
   ANDY: As this year brings the solar maximum of Cycle 25, a  different kind of   
   solar storm has been raging - one that challenges the longstanding and   
   prevailing paradigm scientists use to help arrive at forecasts. Sociologist   
   and statistician Frank Howell K4FMH has done an extensive study of this   
   so-called NASA-NOAA-ISED prediction formula, which utilizes a consensus   
   methodology, pitting it against the work of solar physicist Scott McIntosh of   
   Lynker Space.   
      
   In this busy, high-profile year for the sun and its activity, Frank has   
   written extensively and presented a series of virtual talks on the subject in   
   the US and overseas. He has also discussed the competing models extensively in   
   his blog, K4FMH.com. Frank's most recent talk, "Progress in the Revolution:   
   Sunspot Cycle Forecast Accuracy at Cycle 25," was given to Pennine [PEN-NINE]   
   Ham in the UK, and can be seen on their YouTube channel.   
      
   Whether the NASA team or the McIntosh team prevails, one thing is certain:   
   Like CMEs themselves, this scientific competition over solar predictions   
   promises to rage for some time to come.   
      
   This is Andy Morrison K9AWM.   
      
   (YOUTUBE, PENNINE HAM, FRANK HOWELL, K4FMH)   
      
   **   
   UK REGULATOR MULLS SATELLITE-TO-CELL PHONE SERVICE   
      
   JIM/ANCHOR: Following in the path of countries such as the US that permit some   
   mobile phones to use satellite connectivity, the UK is opting to move ahead to   
   allow such services too. Jeremy Boot G4NJH explains.   
      
   JEREMY: The UK is poised to become Europe's first country offering legal   
   satellite connectivity for smartphones. The regulator Ofcom has released a   
   consultation authorising the move and is requesting comments no later than the   
   10th of October.   
      
   Making this service available to standard mobile phones would provide the most   
   remote parts of the UK with the access needed to send texts, make phone calls   
   or even connect to the Internet - functions presently not possible in areas   
   without mobile phone coverage.   
      
   This is known as "direct-to-device" and operation would be permitted after   
   Ofcom has provided a variation to the licences of Mobile Network Operators.   
   The change would also grant such use to mobile handsets and any other devices   
   that make use of SIM cards.   
      
   This is Jeremy Boot G4NJH.   
      
   (OFCOM)   
      
   **   
   PORTABLE-OP CELEBRATION ACTIVATES NY'S ERIE CANAL   
      
   JIM/ANCHOR: The massive Erie Canal in New York State is the scene of a massive   
   anniversary celebration - on the air, of course. Sel Embee KB3TZD tells us   
   what to expect.   
      
   SEL: Ten days on the air. Fourteen clubs in NY State. Six months of planning.   
   It all adds up to two hundred years of the Erie Canal - the celebrated   
   public-works project that sparked economic growth by providing a connection   
   between the Atlantic Ocean and the Great Lakes in the early 1800s. It   
   ultimately earned the nickname, the "Mother of Cities," because its   
   connections fostered the development of towns, villages and cities.   
      
   Ham radio operators will light up the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor   
   with an operating event that runs from the 16th through to the 25th of   
   September. Many of them will be doing Parks on the Air activations, including   
   a notable two-fer that also includes the Empire State Trail.   
      
   Organizers Matt K2EAG, Angela N3ARB and Mike N2MAK are encouraging clubs to   
   create their own commemorative QSL cards for the event. The organizers aren't   
   just looking to collect QSOs, though; they also want to gather stories from   
   operators about their experiences during the event. They can be emailed   
   directly to Matt at k 2 e a g at arrl dot net (k2eag@arrl.net) or posted on   
   social media with the hashtag symbol and one of these three words:   
   ErieCanal200, Erie Canalway or parksontheair.   
      
   This Sel Embee KB3TZD.   
      
   (MATT K2EAG, ERIE CANALWAY NATIONAL HERITAGE CORRIDOR)   
      
      
   **   
   BREAK HERE:    
      
   Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline,   
   heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the nodes and repeaters   
   on Allstarlink, Echolink, D-STAR, DMR and TGIF connected to the Blind Hams   
   Network on Sundays at 3 pm. Eastern Time.    
      
   **   
   WILD CARD TEAM MEMBERS CHOSEN FOR WRTC 2026   
      
   JIM/ANCHOR: Two more competitors have been named for the World Radiosport Team   
   Championship next year in England, as we hear from Jeremy Boot G4NJH.   
      
   JEREMY: The excitement continues to build during these remaining months of   
   planning for the World Radiosport Team Championship to be held next year in   
   England.   
      
   Event chairman Mark M?DXR, has announced that members of the Wild Card team   
   have been chosen by the Organising Committee. The lead position will be held   
   by Diego, LW5HR, who showed much promise in the qualifications both as a   
   single operator and as part of a number of multi-op teams. His teammate will   
   be Manu, LU9ESD.   
      
   Mark said that given the strong representation of the US and Europe in the   
   other teams, the make-up of the Wild Card team from South American amateurs   
   has satisfied the organisers' goals for the field to achieve international   
   diversity.   
      
   Wild Card teams are created to recognise candidates with exceptional   
   competitive skills but who were not chosen during the selection process for   
   the other teams.   
      
   The preparations and 24-hour contest take place from 8th to the 13th July   
   showcasing the skills of 50 teams of two-person operators. Like the Olympic   
   Games, it is held every four years.   
      
   This is Jeremy Boot G4NJH.   
      
   (WRTC 2026)   
      
   **   
   SIX RECIPIENTS SELECTED FOR YLRL SCHOLARSHIPS   
      
   JIM/ANCHOR: Six YLs who combine amateur radio with academic excellence and   
   leadership have been awarded scholarships from the Young Ladies Radio League,   
   as we hear from Jack Parker W8ISH.   
      
   JACK: The Young Ladies Radio League has announced six scholarship recipients   
   for this year - two each for the Ethel Smith K2LMB Memorial Scholarship, the   
   Mary Lou Brown NM7N Memorial Scholarship, and The Martha Wessel K?EPE Memorial   
   Scholarship.    
      
   Congratulations to Grace Papay, K8LG and Neeti Sonth, KN6?JJ for their   
   selection as recipients of the Ethel Smith scholarship. Grace, who was Amateur   
   Radio Newsline's Young Ham of the Year in 2024, is a top contester and youth   
   mentor. She is studying electrical engineering at Cedarville University in   
   Ohio. Neeti is a PhD student at the University of Colorado Boulder, where she   
   is studying toward her PhD in aerospace engineering sciences. She is the   
   communications officer for the school's amateur radio club.   
      
   Madison Clogher, KC1KJT, and Camrynne Ellis WX5CAM, have been chosen for the   
   Martha Wessel scholarship. Madison is active in public service and emergency   
   communications and worked recently with the Federal Emergency Management   
   Agency in its office of planning and preparedness. She has a bachelor's degree   
   in emergency management and is pursuing her master's in cybersecurity.   
   Camrynne is entering her final year at Texas A&M University where she is   
   studying meteorology and atmospheric sciences. She became involved in ham   
   radio through the school's Texas Aggie Storm Chasers organization.   
      
   Rachel Jones KO4HLC, and Katherine Forson, KT5KMF are receiving the Mary Lou   
   Brown scholarship. Rachel, a PhD candidate in aerospace sciences at the   
   University of North Dakota, has been a presenter on radio space science for   
   students and is currently the winter manager of KC4USV at McMurdo Station in   
   Antarctica. Katherine is a senior meteorology student at Texas A&M University   
   and active as an officer in the campus radio club W5AC. She is also a liaison   
   between the club and the Texas Aggie Storm Chasers, where she serves as radio   
   and licensing director. Katherine received the ARRL's Hiram Percy Maxim Award   
   in 2021.   
      
   Newsline extends its congratulations to these six promising young talents.   
      
   This is Jack Parker W8ISH.   
      
   (YL HARMONICS)   
      
   **   
   WORLD OF DX   
      
   In the World of DX, there is still time to work Bo, OZ1DJJ who is on the air   
   as OX3LX from Nuuk, Greenland, IOTA number NA-018, until the 16th of   
   September. He may be taking day trips to IOTA group   
   NA-220. He is on the air, holiday style, since this is also a working trip.   
   See QRZ.com for QSL details.   
      
   Listen for Claudio, HB9OAU, operating as SV5/HB9OAU from Karpathos Island in   
   the Dodecanese Islands, IOTA number EU-001, from the 13th through to the 25th   
   of September. He will operate SSB and  CW on 40-6 metres. See QRZ.com for QSL   
   details.   
      
   Paul, G4PVM will be active holiday style as GM4PVM from Isle of West Burra in   
   the Shetland Islands, IOTA number EU-012, from the 13th through to the 18th of   
   September.  He will be using CW and SSB on 40-10 metres. See QRZ.com for QSL   
   details.   
      
      
   (425 DX BULLETIN)   
      
   **   
   LETTING YOUNG READERS SEE A NEW DIMENSION TO RADIO   
      
   JIM D/ANCHOR: Our final story this week takes us inside the pages of a new   
   fiction book for young readers. As we hear from Jim Davis, W2JKD, the story   
   delivers its message thanks, in part, to amateur radio.   
      
   JIM: There are many dimensions to Lorilyn Roberts, KO4LBS. The Florida   
   resident is an educator, a storyteller and a ham -- something she has wanted   
   to be since childhood. Although she enjoys CW, one of her preferred modes when   
   she is off the air is fiction. In many of the books she has authored, she uses   
   that mode to communicate with faith and passion, reaching out most especially   
   to young adult readers.   
      
   In her latest book, released September 5th, Lorilyn shows yet another   
   dimension of her work, one that is reflected in its title "Eighth Dimension -   
   Frequency." This is a work of fantasy fiction. It's the story of a teenager   
   who gains fluency as an amateur radio operator but off the air, struggles to   
   communicate as a caregiver for her mother who has dementia. The young girl,   
   named Chumana, believes that her faith and her future have been shattered and   
   she questions why things happen as they do in this universe.   
      
   Like Lorilyn, the protagonist at the core of this tale is a communicator - a   
   gift that serves her well as she begins to make some unusual and unexpected   
   connections via the digital modes.   
      
   Lorilyn told Newsline in an email that her hope is that young readers will   
   discover amateur radio - and something more - by hearing Chumana's story. In   
   fact, perhaps they will end up on the same frequency.   
      
   This is Jim Davis, W2JKD.   
      
   (QRZ.COM, ARRL NORTH FLORIDA SECTION, LORILYN ROBERTS, KO4LBS)   
       
   **   
   WHAT? You haven't sent in your ham radio haiku yet? Help is on the way! Visit   
   our website at arnewsline.org and as you compose your ode to your favorite   
   online activity, we will help you use the correct number of syllables to make   
   an authentic haiku. Submit your work and then sit back and wait to hear   
   whether you are the winner of this week's challenge. The winner gets a   
   shout-out on our website, where everyone can find the winning haiku.   
      
   NEWSCAST CLOSE   
      
   With thanks to Amateur News Daily; AMSAT News Service; Amateur Radio Society   
   of India; Associated Press; David Behar K7DB; DXNews; 425DX Bulletin; FCC;   
   Frank Howell, K4FMH; IARU; Institute of Amateur Radio in Kerala; Lorilyn   
   Roberts, KO4LBS; Matt, K2EAG; Ofcom; Pennine Ham; shortwaveradio.de; Wireless   
   Institute of Australia; WRTC 2026; YouTube; 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 Jim Damron N8TMW in Charleston West Virginia saying   
   73. As always we thank you for listening. Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) is   
   Copyright 2025. Amateur Radio Newsline retains ownership of its material even   
   when retransmitted elsewhere. All rights are reserved.   
      
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