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   PID: C-NET AMIGA BBS 5.36b   
   Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2499 for Friday, September 19th, 2025   
        
   Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2499 with a release date of Friday,   
   September 19th, 2025 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.   
      
   The following is a QST. Equatorial Guinea suspends ham licenses following a   
   DXpedition's operation. A statewide POTA group grows in Minnesota - and a   
   Silent Key is inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame. All this and more as   
   Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2499 comes your way right now.   
      
      
   **   
   EQUATORIAL GUINEA SUSPENDS HAM RADIO LICENSES   
      
   NEIL/ANCHOR: Our top story takes us to Equatorial Guinea where the government   
   has suspended ham radio licenses after what it called unauthorized operations   
   of a DXpedition. We have more from John Williams VK4JJW.   
      
   JOHN: As DXpeditioners called off the 3C?W and 3C3W activations in Equatorial   
   Guinea, the government suspended all amateur radio licences in the country.   
   Authorities made the announcement saying that a visiting ham radio operator   
   gained access to sensitive areas in the country with radio equipment that was   
   unauthorised. The government announcement did not identify the radio operators   
   but various DX sites online listed Yuris, YL2GM and Eugene, EA5EL, as   
   DXpeditioners operating from  Annobon Island in the South Atlantic Ocean.   
      
   Both callsigns were seen on the spotting clusters, with 3C?W's last spot made   
   on the 11th of September, accompanied by the comment that there was bad news   
   reported on the DX-World.net.   
      
   That report said the operation had gone forward [quote] "without properly   
   verifying the legality of the equipment or the compliance of the assigned   
   frequencies with national regulations."    
      
   In its announcement, the Malabo government did not identify the callsigns but   
   said that the hams had applied for licenses in 2018 and this year but had not   
   verified that the equipment to be used was in legal compliance.   
      
   Yuris posted an update on DX-World, confirming that the team had not yet   
   managed to get the local permit to operate as 3C?W in Annobon Island and that   
   they were returning to the mainland where they had previously had a successful   
   activation as 3C3W.   
      
   Meanwhile, authorities said that the suspension of licences will enable the   
   government to develop a new regulatory framework with respect to legal   
   frequencies and equipment - an action it said also aligns with national   
   security requirements. A government statement said: [quote] "The goal is to   
   ensure that no high-frequency equipment enters the country without proper   
   approval and review of the license." [endquote]   
      
   The news comes one month before the scheduled 3C2MD DXpedition of the   
   Mediterraneo DX Club International, which is to operate from the 30th of   
   October through to the 11th of November. It is unclear what impact this move   
   by the government will have on the planned DXpedition.   
      
   This is John Williams VK4JJW.    
      
   (DX-WORLD, DXHEAT)   
      
   **   
   SILENT KEY AMONG THOSE IN RADIO HALL OF FAME   
      
   NEIL/ANCHOR: A popular radio personality who was also a ham radio operator has   
   been honored posthumously by the Museum of Broadcast Communications. Jen   
   DeSalvo W9TXJ tells us more about him.   
      
   JEN: An amateur radio operator with a flair for and a following in late-night   
   broadcast radio is one of eight inductees into the Radio Hall of Fame for   
   2025. Dale Sommers, WB6OM, who became a Silent Key in 2012 at the age of 68,   
   gained popularity as the so-called "Trucking Bozo," on AM Radio - a nickname   
   the radio personality garnered during his highly rated overnight program that   
   was a hit with the nation's truck drivers. The show originated on WLW-AM in   
   Cincinnati before moving to SiriusXM Radio.   
       
   The Museum of Broadcast Communications has inducted Dale and seven other   
   broadcast notables who have passed away, as Legends. They include late on-air   
   personalities Amos Brown, Jed the Fish and the Big 89?s WLS-AM?s, Don Wade.    
      
   Also honored, the late broadcast engineer Richard Burden, research executive   
   Joanne Church, scriptwriter and producer Irna Phillips and programming   
   executive Steve Smith.   
       
   This is Jen DeSalvo, W9TXJ   
      
   (RADIO HALL OF FAME)   
      
   **   
   WRTC ANNOUNCES HQ SITE IN ENGLAND   
      
   NEIL/ANCHOR: Organizers of next year's World Radiosport Team Championship have   
   announced the location of the event's headquarters in England, as we learn   
   from Jeremy Boot G4NJH.   
      
   JEREMY: The market town of St. Neots in Cambridge has been chosen as the   
   headquarters site for the World Radiosport Team Championship next year.   
   Organisers have identified the three hotels close to the event where   
   activities will take place from the 8th through to the 14th of July. There is   
   also a renewed call for volunteers in various roles at either the headquarters   
   site or one of the clusters. For additional details or to volunteer, visit the   
   link in the text version of this week's newscast at arnewsline.org   
      
   This is Jeremy Boot G4NJH.   
      
   [DO NOT READ:   www.wrtc2026.org/contact-volunteers  ]   
      
   (WRTC 2026)   
      
   **   
   CRYPTOLOGY, SPACE OFFER SIDE TRIPS AT  TECHNICAL SYMPOSIUM   
      
   NEIL/ANCHOR: Attendees at the Radio Club of America's Technical Symposium and   
   awards banquet can expect more from the experience by taking a sidetrip the   
   day before to such nearby sites as the Goddard Space Center and the   
   Cryptologic Museum of the US National Security Agency. Motorcoach tours will   
   be available for both on Friday the 21st of November. The symposium and   
   banquet take place on the 22nd of November at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in   
   Washington, D.C.    
      
   The banquet is held every year to celebrate achievements in every area of   
   wireless innovation.   
      
   For details about the tours or the RCA event itself, visit radioclubofamerica   
   dot org. That's "radioclubofamerica" - one word - dot org   
      
   (RADIO CLUB OF AMERICA, AMATEUR RADIO DAILY)   
      
   **   
      
   FCC LEVIES $920,000 PIRACY PENALTY AGAINST FM STATION   
      
   NEIL/ANCHOR: In the US, the FCC has taken action against a radio operator who   
   the agency has charged with piracy. The fine is nearly $1-million, as we hear   
   from Kent Peterson KC?DGY.   
      
   KENT: The US Federal Communications Commission has given the operator of a New   
   Jersey FM radio station 30 days to pay a penalty of nearly $1 million, for   
   what the regulator says is unlicensed operation of a radio station on 91.7   
   MHz. The commission identified the station as Radio Leve Kanpe which is   
   described on a number of websites online as having Haitian Creole programming.   
      
   The station's operator, Masner Beauplan of Middletown, New York, has been   
   assessed a forfeiture of $920,000 for what the commission says were illegal   
   broadcasts between November 16th, 2023, and January 8, 2024.  The FCC said   
   that Beauplan had been sent a Notice of Apparent Liability in September of   
   2024 but never responded. Failure to pay means that the regulator refers the   
   case to the US Justice Department, which is responsible for collecting the   
   fines.   
      
   The Preventing Illegal Radio Abuse Through Enforcement Act, or PIRATE Act, of   
   2020 permitted the FCC to raise its fines when going after unlicensed   
   broadcasters. Violating the PIRATE Act carries a maximum penalty of   
   approximately $2.4 million.   
      
   This is Kent Peterson KC?DGY.   
      
   (RADIOWORLD, RADIO ONLINE)   
      
   **   
   ARDC SEEKS VOLUNTEER COMMITTEE MEMBERS   
      
   NEIL/ANCHOR: Amateur Radio Digital Communications is looking for volunteers to   
   serve on one of four committees. They include the Grants Advisory Committee,   
   which helps identify potential grant-making opportunities; the Technical   
   Advisory Committee, which provides input on policies and technologies for   
   44Net, amateur radio's Internet IP address space; the Grants Evaluation Team,   
   whose responsibilities include reporting on the results of funded grants; and   
   the Conduct Review Committee, which oversees compliance with the Code of   
   Conduct.   
      
   The ARDC also needs 44Net Portal Ticket Handlers, who help verify callsigns   
   and other information for 44Net address space requests; and help on its Grants   
   Communications Team, whose members write summaries to share with the public   
   about the results of ARDC-funded grants.   
      
   Details about the application process, volunteer qualifications and time   
   commitments for any of these posts can be found on the ARDC's blog. A link to   
   the relevant post appears in the text version of this week's newscast at   
   arnewsline.org   
      
   [DO NOT READ:  https://www.ardc.net/join-ardcs-2026-volunteer-team/   ]   
      
   **   
   MINNESOTA'S STATEWIDE POTA GROUP GROWS AMONG THE TREES   
      
   NEIL/ANCHOR: Out of all the things that can grow in parks - from trees and   
   shrubs to wildlife - perhaps the one that is most meaningful to many hams is a   
   sense of community. Lately, a group in Minnesota has been encouraging that to   
   grow even more, as we hear from Kent Peterson KC?DGY.    
      
   KENT: During the pandemic, Minnesota's parks provided amateur radio operators   
   with welcoming places to get on the air with friends or just gather in a safe   
   social setting. Many of those parks have since evolved into the birthplace of   
   an organization that encourages POTA activations throughout the state by   
   hosting activities, awards and formal events with the help of a group known as   
   MNPOTA [pron: "MIN POTA."] Supported by the Stillwater Amateur Radio   
   Association and a coalition of other clubs, MNPOTA has spent two years hosting   
   year-round meetups and POTA activity days - including a Minnesota POTA Day in   
   June. There is also an awards scheme that recognizes activators and hunters in   
   different categories and different modes each spring.   
      
   Collin O'Connor, KE?IYN, a board member of the Stillwater club, said that all   
   of this activity has nurtured and expanded Minnesota's population of POTA   
   participants. He said that in the Stillwater club alone, between one-third and   
   one-half of the more than 180 club members have become active in POTA.   
      
   Next year MNPOTA will add a new focus to its activities, encouraging   
   Technician class license holders to get involved. Multi- and single stationary   
   activations will be scheduled specifically on 6m and 10m, enabling the Techs   
   to put their privileges to good use.   
      
   In the meantime, Collin encourages other POTA enthusasts in different states   
   to consider a similar effort, even if they start small. He told Newsline:   
   [quote] "Even 15 to 20 people is successful. Everything can grow from there.   
   So let's spread POTA and keep POTA growing." [endquote]   
      
   This is Kent Peterson KC?DGY.   
      
   (COLLIN O'CONNOR, KE?IYN)   
      
   **   
   BREAK HERE:   
      
   Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline,   
   heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the ZS?MOT repeater on   
   Wednesdays at 1900 local time in Middelburg South Africa.   
      
   **   
   AUSTRALIAN REGULATOR MAKES CHANGES TO CB RULES   
      
   NEIL/ANCHOR: There are some updated rules for citizens band radio operators in   
   Australia starting on the 1st of October. Graham Kemp VK4BB picks up the story   
   from here.   
      
   GRAHAM: The Australian Communications and Media Authority is making changes to   
   the Citizens Band Radio Station Class Licence Rules of 2015, which are about   
   to sunset. The regulator is remaking the rules, with minor changes, saying   
   that they reflect new developments in technology in the ensuing years. The   
   ACMA characterised the changes as "minor."    
      
   They include permission to use FM now 27 MHz which was previously restricted   
   to AM or SSB. This aligns CB in Australia with operations in much of the rest   
   of the world. The rules also remove the requirement that calls be initiated   
   only on specific call channels, giving operators the freedom to begin contacts   
   on channels they customarily use. The ACMA also declared it would no longer be   
   responsible for taking action against such on-air behaviour as harassment and   
   threats, leaving enforcement issues instead to police and other authorities.   
      
   For details about these and other changes, see the Federal Register using the   
   link in the text version of this week's newscast at arnewsline.org   
      
   This is Graham Kemp VK4BB.   
      
   [DO NOT READ:  https://www.legislation.gov.au/F2025L01088/latest/text   ]   
      
   (ACMA, FEDERAL REGISTER)   
      
   NEIL/ANCHOR: Meanwhile, the Australian regulator has updated its Licence   
   Conditions Determination that covers amateur radio for repeaters, operators in   
   external territories and those hams who could not switch over to the Class   
   license system that was introduced in February of 2024.   
      
   Beginning on the 30th of September, changes affecting amateur radio assigned   
   and non-assigned licences include removal of such restrictions on licensees   
   transmitting messages with entertainment, commercial or financial content. The   
   update also requires that a qualified person be on site when an amateur   
   station is located in an isolated area. The ACMA said that its purpose in   
   making these and other minor changes was to fine-tune that language so it   
   aligns more closely with the amateur Class license.   
      
   (ACMA)   
      
   **   
   RSGB'S DMR PROJECT BEGINS AGAIN IN UK SCHOOLS   
      
   NEIL/ANCHOR: It's back-to-school season in the UK for a DMR project supported   
   by the Radio Society of Great Britain. Jeremy Boot G4NJH tells us what that   
   means.   
      
   JEREMY: Just as the schools are back throughout the UK, so is the DMR Project   
   launched by the Radio Society of Great Britain.   
      
   The initiative was introduced last May to loan equipment to schools to enable   
   students to feel comfortable with making QSOs.   
      
   Now it is back as the schools and colleges reopen in September. The society's   
   Outreach Team is working with teachers and, in partnership with the Radio   
   Communications Foundation, they will pay licence exam fees for nine teachers   
   who wish to set up ham radio clubs at their schools.  Additional details are   
   available from Chris Aitken MM?WIC, the youth chair, who can be reached at   
   youthchampion dot school at rsgb dot org dot uk.   
      
   This is Jeremy Boot G4NJH.   
      
   (RSGB)   
      
   **   
      
   WORLD OF DX   
      
   Members of the DXHams Amateur Radio Group, 9Y4Y, are marking the 49th   
   anniversary of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago by activating the callsign   
   9Y49R from the 24th through to the 28th of September. See QRZ.com for QSL   
   details.   
      
   A team of operators will be on Great Blasket Island, IOTA Number EU-??7,   
   calling QRZ with the callsign EJ1K, from the 26th through to the 28th of   
   September. See QRZ.com for QSL information.   
      
   Members of the Inverness and District Amateur Radio Society will be on the air   
   as GS?RIV from the island of North Uist, IOTA Number EU-?1? from the 21st   
   through to the 26th of September. Modes will be CW, SSB and FT8/FT4. See   
   QRZ.com for QSL details.   
      
   (425 DX BULLETIN)   
      
   **   
   KICKER: GETTING A READ ON AMATEUR RADIO IN NEW ZEALAND   
      
   NEIL/ANCHOR: We hams know that there are many ways to make contact across an   
   ocean. One radio operator in New Zealand, however, has succeeded in getting   
   the job done without even going on the air. We hear about him from Jim Meachen   
   ZL2BHF.   
      
   JIM:  Greg Dirk Van Der Reis, ZL1GUD, doesn't just have a good read on amateur   
   radio in New Zealand - he produces a good read too: As of this month, his free   
   independent e-zine, the New Zealand and Australian Amateur Radio Magazine, has   
   published its third edition electronically. Although it was originally   
   intended primarily for amateur radio readership in New Zealand and Australia,   
   it is now being downloaded in parts of Europe and in Greg's native South   
   Africa, where he began his radio life in 1979 as a CB'er and later a licensed   
   amateur.   
      
   A prolific writer as well as a reader, Greg recognised early on that hams   
   benefit from good communication in between time at the workbench or making   
   contacts. He told Newsline that his electronic magazine is the outgrowth of   
   work he first did for a local club's magazine after moving to New Zealand two   
   years ago. His daytime business, The Ham Shack, sells amateur radio equipment   
   for the home, portable and disaster preparedness while keeping him in touch   
   with what hams need and the direction trends are going. He sees POTA and SOTA   
   as big growth areas and his pages provide coverage on those topics, as well as   
   personal profiles, DXpeditions and international events.   
      
   Greg told Newsline that the next edition will have a subscription button but   
   until then, anyone reading this month's issue, can email him directly to be   
   added to the distribution list. See the link to the magazine in the text   
   version of this week's Newsline script at arnewsline.org   
      
   In an email to Newsline, he wrote: [quote]  "This fills a gap and I would like   
   it to bridge the amateur radio communities in New Zealand and Australia. I   
   hope to create joint radio events between the two countries. We are only 3   
   hours apart by air." [endquote] Now the two countries are barely a few   
   downloads apart -- and the same is true for the rest of the world beyond.   
      
   This is Jim Meachen ZL2BHF.   
      
   [DO NOT READ:   
   https://thehamshack.co.nz/pages/new-zealand-and-australian-amateur-radio-magaz   
      
   **   
   If you haven't sent in your ham radio haiku yet, what are you waiting for? We   
   can help you express your inner poet. 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 the ACMA; Amateur News Daily; Collin O'Connor, KE?IYN; David   
   Behar K7DB; DXHeat; DXNews; DXWorld; 425DX Bulletin; FCC; the Federal   
   Register; Greg Dirk Van Der Reis, ZL1GUD; QRZ.com; Radio Hall of Fame;   
   RadioOnline; RadioWorld.com; shortwaveradio.de; Wireless Institute of   
   Australia; 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 Neil Rapp WB9VPG in Union Kentucky 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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