MSGID: 1:135/250@fidonet 68e3ace0   
   PID: C-NET AMIGA BBS 5.36b   
   Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2501 for Friday, October 3rd, 2025   
        
   Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2501 with a release date of Friday,   
   October 3rd, 2025 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.   
      
   The following is a QST. The FCC tells prisons they can legally jam cell   
   phones. Lightning destroys a major weather forecasting station in New Zealand   
   -- and a teenager from Africa lands a spot on a big DXpedition. All this and   
   more as Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2501 comes your way right now.   
      
   **   
      
   BILLBOARD CART   
      
   **   
      
   US GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN HALTS FCC OPERATIONS   
      
   PAUL/ANCHOR: This developing story unfolded as Newsline went to production:   
   the FCC was among numerous government agencies suspending operations as the   
   result of a US government shutdown. The commission advised amateur radio   
   operators and others that this would have an impact on processing of licenses,   
   exams and any other communications as of October 1st. The FCC website   
   cautioned visitors that information displayed might not be up to date.   
   Newsline is following this story.   
      
   **   
      
   FCC VOTES TO ALLOW CELL PHONE JAMMING NEAR PRISONS   
      
   PAUL/ANCHOR: Our top story takes us to Washington, D.C., where the US   
   regulator has given approval for state and federal prisons to jam cell phones.   
   Kent Peterson KCØDGY gives us the update.   
      
   KENT: In a move applauded by a number of lawmakers, the Federal Communications   
   Commission has given prisons and other correctional facilities the   
   authorization to use cell phone jamming technology to disable devices smuggled   
   into inmates. Federal law prohibits the sale and operation of equipment that   
   interferes with the operation of authorized radio communications, including   
   GPS and cellular phones.    
      
   According to the FCC,the September 30th vote was taken to halt what   
   authorities say are criminal activities, such as drug dealing or killings,   
   being conducted by persons who are incarcerated.   
      
   The FCC said that its action would coordinate efforts between corrections   
   officials and wireless carriers and is not designed to interfere with wireless   
   services of cellular customers in the vicinity of the prisons.   
      
   The move drew praise from a number of lawmakers such as David Kustoff, a   
   Republican congressman who in March had introduced the Cell Phone Jamming   
   Reform Act of 2025.   
      
   This is Kent Peterson KCØDGY.   
      
   (FCC, WBBJ-TV)   
   **   
      
   NUCLEAR-CLEANUP DRILL INCORPORATES HAM RADIO FOR 1ST TIME   
      
   PAUL/ANCHOR: When there's an emergency, you can't have too many ways to   
   communicate - particularly when the crisis involves nuclear materials. That's   
   why here in the US, the Department of Energy recently asked amateur radio   
   operators to be part of a drill at a plant where the agency conducts nuclear   
   waste management and decontamination. We hear more from Andy Morrison K9AWM.   
      
   ANDY: It was a first for the Amateur Radio Emergency Service in Paducah   
   [PUH-DUKE-KUH], Kentucky: responding to a mock emergency at a government-owned   
   site that conducts nuclear deactivations and spent-fuel cleanup. Paducah is   
   one of more than 100 government sites across the country handled by the energy   
   department's Emergency Management program, which conducts nuclear remediation.   
      
   The hams, first-responders at numerous natural disasters throughout Kentucky,   
   were now providing backup in a nuclear scenario.   
      
   According to a report on the department website, the hams got the word out,   
   successfully transmitting emails over the radio from their mobile station   
   inside a truck, reaching department headquarters in Washington, DC, as well as   
   the project office in nearby Kentucky.   
      
   Myrna Redfield, program manager of the Four Rivers Nuclear Partnership, said   
   that the first-time inclusion of ham radio meant that such scenarios gave an   
   extra layer of resiliency to keep communication uninterrupted. She said:   
   [quote] "Exercises like this not only enhance our preparedness but also   
   strengthen ties with local responders who share our commitment to protecting   
   people and the environment." [endquote]   
      
   This is Andy Morrison K9AWM.   
      
   (US DEPT OF ENERGY)   
      
   **   
   LIGHTNING DESTROYS MAJOR NEW ZEALAND RADAR DOME   
      
   PAUL/ANCHOR: A major radar dome with a key weather forecasting role in New   
   Zealand has been all but destroyed by some of the weather it helps predict, as   
   we hear from Jim Meachen ZL2BHF.   
      
   JIM: For New Zealand's meteorologists, the Westland Rain Radar is transmitting   
   only silence, following a lightning strike of 156 kiloamps on the 18th of   
   September. A statement from MetService New Zealand, the nation's weather   
   service, said that the powerful surge was about five times greater than a   
   typical strike and had sufficient power to run a residence for about two   
   years. Various news reports said the power not only destroyed the weatherproof   
   cover designed to protect the radar but "fried" the electronics and   
   overpowered the grounding systems at the site.   
      
   The strike's destructive force has disabled the radar dome to the point that   
   MetService expects it to be out of service for [quote] "an extended period"   
   [endquote] while repairs are done. The radar is a critical forecasting tool   
   for New Zealand's severe weather warnings and plays an especially important   
   role for communities on the West Coast.   
      
   Meteorologists in the meantime will be observing high-resolution computer   
   models, satellite images, weather stations and neighbouring radar sites.   
   According to a report on the AccuWeather website, this is not the first time   
   the radar dome has been hit by lightning. A hit in 2022 left it with only   
   minor damage.   
      
   This is Jim Meachen ZL2BHF.    
      
   (NZNET NEWS, ACCUWEATHER, METSERVICE NEW ZEALAND)   
      
   **   
      
   SILENT KEY: TOP CONTESTER, WRTC REFEREE FLAVIO PRECISVALLE IK1SPR   
      
   PAUL/ANCHOR: The contesting world has lost one of its devoted enthusiasts. We   
   learn more about him from Jeremy Boot G4NJH.   
      
   JEREMY: Flavio Precisvalle, IK1SPR, became a Silent Key unexpectedly on the   
   21st of September. A licensed amateur for nearly 40 years, he was an   
   enthusiastic contester in all modes, but had a particular love of CW.   
      
   Various online postings credited him with playing a major role in IQ1RY the   
   Italian Radio Association in Bra, in the province of Cuneo. Flavio's former   
   team members posted pictures online of him enjoying various contests, where he   
   was often among the victors.   
      
   He was adept at "all mode" contesting, using CW, SSB and RTTY. Most recently   
   he had competed in the Islands on the Air contest as part of the IP1X team.   
   Whenever he could, he would support others, working as a referee twice in the   
   World Radiosport Team Championship -- in Russia in 2010 and in Italy in 2022.   
      
   Flavio was a much-loved member of the Marconi Club, which organized an on-air   
   tribute to him in CW on 80 metres on Friday the 26th of September. Flavio was   
   58.   
      
   This is Jeremy Boot G4NJH.   
      
   (QRZ.COM, IQ1RY, MARCONI CLUB)   
      
   **   
   PA QSO PARTY OFFERS NEW INCENTIVES TO CHASERS   
      
   PAUL/ANCHOR: Organizers of the Pennsylvania QSO Party are extending a big   
   invitation to hams throughout the United States, Canada and the Caribbean to   
   assist their fellow amateurs in the Keystone State. Newslines Mark Abramowicz   
   NT3V has the details..   
      
   MARK: It has grown to become one of the biggest QSO parties on the annual HF   
   operating calendar.   
      
   The PA QSO Party is held on the second weekend of October, running this year   
   on Oct. 11 and 12 with stations found on both SSB and CW. It has the   
   reputation as "The Friendly QSO Party" because it attracts lots of newcomers   
   and casual operators who take their time on the QSO exchanges.   
      
   Now it's become even friendlier: The committee that oversees the PA Party has   
   introduced a new group of awards and plaques for this contest to stimulate   
   even more activity  especially on the 10, 15 and 20 meter bands.   
      
   Thats where those of you outside of Pennsylvania become part of the winning   
   formula for PA stations who will be looking for you.   
      
   Even if youre not into contesting, nearly all of us who cruise the bands on   
   the weekends are generally willing to stop to make contact with a station   
   calling CQ. Well, that brief stop for a PA station during this event could   
   translate into big rewards.   
      
   While the PA party does offer plaques and awards to out-of-state stations in a   
   variety of categories, organizers want to promote even more activity from   
   those stations. Doing so will help operators in PA to capture awards for   
   sweeping sections and call districts in the Northeast, Southwest, the West,   
   Central, Canada, and some DX plus the Caribbean.   
      
   Youll find more about the PA QSO Party and a listing of the new awards in the   
   links in the text version of this story on our website, ARNewsline.org.   
      
   (https://www.paqso.org/awards-certificates.html.)   
      
      
   (https://paqso.org/)   
      
      
   Im Mark Abramowicz, NT3V.   
      
   **   
      
   BREAK HERE: Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio   
   Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world including the N9IAA   
   repeater in my hometown of Valparaiso Indiana on Thursdays at 8:30 p.m.   
      
   **   
   FCC CHARGES NEWLY LICENSED HAM WITH UNAUTHORIZED OPERATION   
      
   PAUL/ANCHOR: A ham in the US is facing action from the FCC for violating the   
   terms of a license he had received only one month earlier. We hear more   
   details from Kent Peterson KCØDGY.   
      
   KENT: In the US, the FCC has charged an amateur radio operator with   
   unauthorized operation on a frequency assigned for use by public safety   
   agencies, private mobile paging and businesses. The FCC's action against   
   Matthew Davidson, KG7EFI, stems from a complaint its enforcement bureau   
   received on the 10th of July, barely one month after Davidson was granted his   
   Technician class license. Technician licensees are permitted use of VHF bands   
   including 6 meters, 2 meters, and 1.25 meters.     
      
   According to the complaint, enforcement agents said Davidson, who lives in   
   Utah, was questioned 18 days after the complaint and admitted that he was   
   transmitting on 173.675 MHz, a frequency that is unauthorized under his   
   license.   
      
   The FCC has given him 20 days to file a formal written response.   
      
   This is Kent Peterson KCØDGY.   
      
   (FCC)   
      
   **   
   SSTV TRANSMISSIONS PLANNED FOR WORLD SPACE WEEK   
      
   PAUL/ANCHOR: There are many ways people are marking World Space Week in   
   October - and most of it, not surprisingly, is right here on the world itself.   
   But lucky for hams, no one is forgetting about space. Jason Daniels VK2LAW   
   tells us what's happening high above it all.   
      
   JASON: The largest celebration of space is right here on planet Earth and it's   
   taking place from the 4th through to the 10th of October. More than 90   
   countries are supporting this celebration of science and technology which this   
   year has the theme "Living in Space."   
      
   Ham radio operators, of course, keep their feet on the ground - mostly - but   
   have at least one ear tuned into what's going on high above us. So Amateur   
   Radio on the International Space Station will deliver its own contribution to   
   this annual event by transmitting six unique slow-scan TV images. Right now   
   the schedule is tentative but there will be a window for transmission on   
   Friday the 3rd of October and a second window, with the same images, on   
   Saturday the 4th of October. The action will be happening on 145.800 MHz where   
   the images will be sent in PD120 encoding.   
      
   World Space Week is an educational effort that was declared by the United   
   Nations in 1999. The observance gives nations around the world an opportunity   
   to show how space-related initiatives have the capacity to improve life on   
   earth.   
      
   This is Jason Daniels VK2LAW.   
      
   (WORLD SPACE WEEK WEBSITE, ARISS, AMATEUR NEWS DAILY)   
      
      
   PAUL/ANCHOR: Be listening as well for special event station GB2WSW which is   
   celebrating World Space Week by being on the air on 40m SSB and 20m FT8 from   
   1000 to 1600 UTC from the 4th through to the 10th of October. The station will   
   be operating from a school in Surrey, England, where it will also be receiving   
   the SSTV images from the ISS to show the students.   
      
   **   
   WRTC RELEASES COMPETITORS' NAMES   
      
   If you're planning for some extra DX in 2026, you may find some familiar names   
   and callsigns on the website of the World Radiosport Team Championship.   
   Competing teams' names and callsigns have been released. Are any of them in   
   your logs yet? Follow the link in the text version of this week's newscast to   
   see who they are. In a separate email announcement, organizers also announced   
   that they have chosen the 50 referees.   
      
   [DO NOT READ    https://www.wrtc2026.org/competitors-and-referees/  ]   
      
   **   
      
   WORLD OF DX   
      
   In the World of DX, Eric, GM5RDX and Graham, 2MØIJU will be on the air as   
   J38DX and J38LD, respectively, from Grenada, IOTA Number NA-024, from the 8th   
   through to the 15th of October. They will be on 80-6 metres using SSB most of   
   the time, with some FT8. QSL for both callsigns via MØOXO's OQRS.   
      
   Maurizio, IK2GZU, will be operating as 5H3MB from Tanzania from the 16th of   
   October through to the 20th of November. He will be operating on 80-10 metres   
   holiday style using CW, SSB, and digital modes. See QRZ.com for QSL details.   
      
   Listen for Eric, F6ICX [EFF SIX EYE SEE EX] who will be using the callsign   
   5R8IC from  Sainte-Marie Island, IOTA Number AF-090, near Madagascar. He will   
   be on the air starting in October and will operate through to late December or   
   early January, using CW, SSB and some FT8 in fox-hound mode. He will be on   
   40-10 metres.   
        
   SOTA Croatia is marking 10 years. Listen for the special callsign 9A10SOTA    
   starting on the 1st of October. The callsign will be on the air through to the   
   30th of September 2026. A certificate will be available for contacts made   
   between  the 1st of October and the 31st of December. QSL via LoTW.   
      
   (425 DX BULLETIN)   
      
   **   
      
   KICKER: NEXT-GENERATION DXPEDITIONER JOINS ANDAMAN ISLAND TEAM   
      
   PAUL/ANCHOR: For our final story, we celebrate the next generation of   
   DXpeditioners. Members of the VU4 Andaman Island DXpedition are still awaiting   
   news of their callsign from the Indian regulator but the wait is at least over   
   for their addition of a new team member. Graham Kemp VK4BB tells us about him,   
   a promising youth from southeastern Africa.   
      
   GRAHAM: A 17-year-old radio amateur from rural Malawi has joined the   
   DXpedition team that is headed to Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of   
   Bengal in October of 2026. Urgent Jere, 7Q6UJ, is not just along for the ride.   
   Barely a year after passing his US Technician exam, he has already confirmed   
   168 DXCC countries as a chaser. Soon he will be on the other end of that   
   envious pileup. He is studying to upgrade his license and sharpening his   
   proficiency in CW.   
      
   Urgent was mentored by Don Jones, 7Q6M/K6ZO, as part of a project created by   
   the HacDC Amateur Radio Club of Washington, D.C. and supported by the Jeffrey   
   Dahn Memorial Foundation. Urgent hopes his efforts will inspire other young   
   people in Africa to embrace amateur radio too.   
      
   One of Urgent's next trips after India will not be to a DXpedition but to an   
   even longer journey that will shape the rest of his life. He plans to go to   
   the US, where he hopes to combine academic studies with radio science at   
   Virginia Tech University.   
      
   This is Graham Kemp VK4BB.   
      
   (WILLIAM SAVACOOL, K2SAV)   
      
   **   
   If you haven't sent in your ham radio haiku yet, what's been stopping you?   
   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 Accuweather; Amateur News Daily; AMSAT News Service; ARISS;   
   ARRL; Bobby Graves, KB5HAV; David Behar K7DB; DXNews; 425DX Bulletin; FCC;   
   Marconi Club; MetService New Zealand; NZNetNews; Ofcom; QRZ.com;   
   shortwaveradio.de; US Dept. of Energy; Wlliam Savacool, K2SAV; Wireless   
   Institute of Australia; WRTC; World Space Week website; 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 Paul Braun WD9GCO in Valparaiso Indiana 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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