MSGID: 1:135/250@fidonet 68fd8d71   
   PID: C-NET AMIGA BBS 5.36b   
   Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2504 for Friday, October 24th, 2025   
        
   Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2504 with a release date of Friday,   
   October 24th, 2025 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.   
      
   The following is a QST. HamTV makes its first ARISS contact in 7 years. Two   
   prominent Silent Keys hit the ham radio community hard -- and we catch up with   
   a DXpedition where almost everything seemed to go wrong. All this and more as   
   Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2504 comes your way right now.   
      
   **   
   BILLBOARD CART   
   **   
   HAMTV MAKES 1ST ARISS CONTACT IN 7 YEARS   
      
   NEIL/ANCHOR: The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station program has   
   reason to celebrate. With the help and hard work of technicians, engineers and   
   other team members, ARISS marked the first contact in seven years that made   
   use of HamTV - a QSO between the 1st Radford Semele Scout Group in the UK and   
   NASA astronaut Jonny Kim KJ5HKP on the 18th of October. The digital amateur TV   
   transmitter based in the Columbus module permits the audience to view live   
   video downlinks during their contacts with the astronauts.   
      
   As he called up to the space station to say the team and the European HamTV   
   ground stations were ready, Ciaran Morgan, MØXTD, ARISS operations lead for   
   the UK, dedicated the call to Gaston Bertels, ON4WF. Gaston was at the helm of   
   the HamTV technical team until he became a Silent Key in December 2024. He had   
   been a key player in getting the L/S band antennas installed on the Columbus   
   module. HamTV operated until 2018, when its failure brought it back to earth   
   so repairs could be made. The unit was returned to the ISS in 2024. This past   
   July, it resumed its transmissions and members of the British Amateur TV Club,   
   who were standing by for those first signals, happily reported good copy.   
      
   To see the HamTV contact between the ISS and the Scouts visit the YouTube   
   channel of SP5LOT at the link in the text version of this week's newscast.   
      
   [DO NOT READ:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7c-rFdr07bg  ]   
      
   (ARISS PAGE ON FACEBOOK)   
      
   **   
   SILENT KEY: NOTED DXER, COMMUNICATIONS SCHOLAR CHARLES HARPOLE K4VUD/HSØZCW   
      
   NEIL/ANCHOR: Amateur radio operators around the world are grieving the loss of   
   a scholar, a DXpeditioner and a friend to many. Graham Kemp VK4BB tells us   
   about him.   
      
   GRAHAM: Hams and non-hams around the world alike got to know Charlie Harpole   
   after the earthquake and tsunami that ravaged Thailand and other regions in   
   Southeast Asia in December 2004. Charlie, whose numerous callsigns included   
   K4VUD, HSØZCW and VU3CHE, became a line of communication for major broadcast   
   networks and print media as the tragedy and rescue efforts unfolded.   
      
   Charlie was already well-known as a film and communications scholar and   
   professor in the United States.  An active DXpeditioner and ham radio   
   advocate, he was reported by the Daily DX as having become a Silent Key. His   
   contributions over the years included testing out the new 5 MHZ amateur band,   
   followed by a successful completion of the first two-way transatlantic contact   
   on that band via ham radio on July 4th, 2003.    
      
   An article in the student newspaper of the University of Central Florida,   
   where Charlie had been a professor, recognised the vital role he played during   
   the 1996 Liberian Civil War, contacting a missionary confined in a compound   
   there amid the fighting and relaying information he was requested to pass   
   along by the UN and the US State Department.   
      
   The world heard more from Charlie in December 2004. He had been filming and   
   providing support to the VU4 DXpedition on Andaman Island when the tsunami   
   disaster swept over South Asia. As DXpeditioners switched to handling health,   
   welfare and emergency communications messages, Charlie returned to Thailand,   
   where he and his wife were living, to provide radio support for recovery   
   efforts after the loss of conventional communication. He also provided   
   realtime information to many of the world's media organisations, including   
   MSNBC and CNN.   
      
   Charlie was 80.   
      
   This is Graham Kemp VK4BB.   
      
   (CENTRAL FLORIDA FUTURE, DAILY DX, BHARATHI VU2RBI, NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF   
   AMATEUR RADIO, SAN ANGELO AMATEUR RADIO CLUB ARCHIVES)   
      
   **   
   SILENT KEY: AMATEUR RADIO HISTORIAN JOHN DILKS III, K2TQN   
      
   NEIL/ANCHOR: A ham who devoted his life to the celebration of amateur radio's   
   history and evolution has become a Silent Key. We hear more about him from Sel   
   Embee KB3TZD.   
      
   SEL: John Dilks III K2TQN so loved the old rigs, the crystal sets, the spark   
   transmitters and the keys that he assembled a collection of them -- ham radio   
   artifacts from amateur radio's earliest days -- and called it the John Dilks   
   Old Radio Museum. History was so much his passion and expertise that at one   
   point he was asked to consult and provide radios for the 2013 film,   
   "Paranoia," featuring Harrison Ford, when it was shooting outside of   
   Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.    
      
   John, who was first licensed in 1956 as KN2TQN, became a Silent Key on the   
   12th of October.   
      
   Readers of QST magazine remember his monthly column, "Old Radio," which ran in   
   the ARRL publication from 2000 to 2014. Members of the Antique Wireless   
   Association recall him too as a respected member. According to his online   
   obituary, his love of history extended beyond the evolution of amateur radio.   
   He often gave presentations that touched on great moments in history,   
   including radio's role in the 1923 expedition to the North Pole -- and its   
   role as well aboard the ill-fated Titanic luxury liner. In his volunteer work   
   with the World Peace Camp in 1989, he devoted time to helping children earn   
   their amateur radio licenses.   
      
   John was 84.   
      
   This is Sel Embee KB3TZD.   
      
   (SOUTH JERSEY DX ASSOCIATION, ADAMS-PERFECT FUNERAL HOME, QUARTER CENTURY   
   WIRELESS ASSOCIATION)   
      
   **   
   CANADA ELIMINATES EXPIRATION DATES FOR BROADCAST RADIO LICENSES   
      
   NEIL/ANCHOR: Broadcast radio station licenses in Canada will no longer have an   
   expiration date, as we hear from John Williams VK4JJW.   
      
   JOHN: The Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission will no   
   longer require broadcast radio stations to renew their licences, as part of a   
   rule it said it has adopted to help stations save money and shrink   
   administrative burdens. The commission said it was hoping the action would   
   amount to a boost for terrestrial broadcasting which, while facing challenges   
   recently, nonetheless remains a vital source of news, information and culture.   
      
   A report on the RadioWorld website said that the open-ended licences will   
   replace those that presently have a maximum term of 7 years. The commission   
   will phase in the new licensing framework as the stations apply for their   
   renewals.   
      
   In a statement, the CRTC assured broadcasters that station monitoring would   
   still be vigilant despite the switch to the open-ended licences. Compliance   
   reviews, which traditionally have occurred at the time of licence renewal,   
   will instead be conducted as needed.   
      
   This is John Williams VK4JJW.   
      
   (RADIOWORLD)   
      
   **   
   'PUMPKIN PATROL' IN ITS 4TH DECADE TO ENSURE DRIVER SAFETY   
      
   NEIL/ANCHOR: The Halloween tradition known as the Pumpkin Patrol may not be as   
   much fun as trick-or-treating, but in a number of northern New York State   
   counties it has become a lifesaver. Travis Lisk N3ILS tells us why.   
      
   TRAVIS: Halloween can be a time for mischief and that mischief can turn   
   deadly, as it almost did in 1976 when an object thrown from a bridge over the   
   New York State Thruway smashed the windshield of a truck below. The shattered   
   glass injured the driver, who was talking on his citizens band radio at the   
   time. The other CB radio operator heard that the trucker was in distress and   
   decided immediately that she and two friends would bring their radios to that   
   overpass and two others in their county and stand watch the next evening.   
      
   New York State police now conduct the Pumpkin Patrol in various counties   
   traversed by the Thruway and for more than four decades, ham radio operators   
   have been there too. This year the teams of volunteer radio operators will be   
   out on the nights of October 30th and 31st, keeping in constant touch with a   
   net control station that can call for emergency response if necessary.   
      
   They are, of course, hoping it will not be necessary.   
      
   This is Travis Lisk N3ILS.   
      
   (UPSTATEHAM.COM, FINGERLAKES1.COM)   
      
   **   
   ARDC PREPARES FOR NEW ROUND OF GRANT APPLICANTS   
      
   NEIL/ANCHOR: Amateur Radio Digital Communications has a mission to support the   
   tinkerers, the dreamers and the builders who keep ham radio strong. They   
   recently issued a reminder that they are actively looking for applicants.   
   Kevin Trotman N5PRE tells us how your own workbench might be of interest to   
   them.   
       
   KEVIN: Grants are available from Amateur Radio Digital Communications, which   
   is giving top priority to projects in one of several areas: supporting   
   satellite technology for ham analogue and digital communications; developing   
   hands-on, open-source and educational materials and projects for learners in   
   schools and clubs; and delving into open-source hardware and software systems   
   that include SDRs, new modulation techniques and CODEC technologies.   
      
   ARDC said that projects outside these areas would also be welcome to apply but   
   that these areas are closest to the core of the organization's goal of [quote]   
   "promoting the freedom to tinker, build, communicate, and openly share   
   information." [endquote]   
      
   Details can be found at the link in the text version of this week's newscast   
   at arnewsline.org   
      
   [DO NOT READ:   https://www.ardc.net/apply/priority-areas-for-funding/ ]   
      
   This is Kevin Trotman N5PRE.   
      
   (ARDC)   
      
   **   
      
   BREAK HERE: Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio   
   Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the Midstate   
   Amateur Radio Club WA9RDF repeater in Greenwood Indiana on Sundays at 7 p.m.   
   local time.   
      
      
   **   
   YOUNG AMATEURS LEARN NEW MODES FOR EMCOMM   
      
   NEIL/ANCHOR: In various parts of the world, emergency communicators continue   
   to promote the use of the amateur service as well as other modes and methods   
   to the next generation. Jim Meachen ZL2BHF tells us how hams in India are   
   continuing to make that transition.   
      
   JIM: In India, ham radio operators are focusing more on DMR - Digital Mobile   
   Radio - as an alternative to analogue VHF, UHF and HF. Fifty young hams were   
   recently given training in DMR programming and operating by the Indian Academy   
   of Communication and Disaster Management and the West Bengal Radio Club, led   
   by Jayanta VU2TFR and Soumya VU3FWK.   
      
   According to the club secretary, Ambarish Nag Biswas VU2JFA, this was the   
   first hands-on training in DMR for radio operators who will be using DMR in   
   the vast remote delta region known as the Sunderbans. Dipak Chakraborty,   
   VU2TLW, the academy's vice principal, told the group afterward that DMR's   
   potential in such remote areas has prompted the academy to plan yet another   
   workshop focusing specifically on those challenged regions.   
      
   Meanwhile, in the Philippines, members of the Ham Radio Emergency   
   Communications Group Inc., DX1HAM, devoted part of the 68th annual Jamboree on   
   the Air scouting activities on October 18th to teach Boy Scouts of the   
   Philippines the basics of operating two-way radios. The hams were preparing   
   the next generation to be familiar with the kind of radios used by licensed   
   emergency communicators when severe storms imperil public safety in their   
   western Pacific island archipelago.   
      
   This is Jim Meachen ZL2BHF.   
      
   (AMBARISH NAG BISWAS, VU2JFA, THE PHILIPPINE STAR)   
      
   **   
   SCOTTISH MICROWAVE ENTHUSIASTS PREPARE FOR ROUNDTABLE   
      
   NEIL/ANCHOR: In Scotland, hams who operate on the microwave frequencies are   
   registering now for a day-long program in November where they can share ideas.   
   Jeremy Boot G4NJH tells us what's happening.   
      
   JEREMY: Microwave fans, whether they're newcomers or longtime enthusiasts, are   
   preparing to attend the 13th Scottish Microwave Round Table on the 1st of   
   November at the Museum of Communication in Burntisland, Fife.   
      
   The roundtable will have available microwave test facilities available and   
   attendees will be able to purchase components and other items. The GM4LBV   
   Trophy will be presented as part of an annual construction competition held in   
   memory of Scottish microwave enthusiast John Eaton. It bears the callsign of   
   John, who became a Silent Key in 2012.   
      
   For details about the event or registration information, see the link in the   
   text version of this week's newscast at arnewsline.org   
      
   This is Jeremy Boot G4NJH.   
      
   [DO NOT READ: https://gmroundtable.org.uk/ ]   
      
   (SCOTTISH MICROWAVE ROUND TABLE)   
      
   **   
      
   WORLD OF DX   
      
   In the World of DX, listen for the callsign Z66IPA which is on the air through   
   to the 3rd of November from Kosovo. It is being activated by S58MU and S5ØX on   
   160-10 metres. The pair will participate in the CQWW SSB contest on the 25th   
   and 26th of October as Z68MU and Z68WW. QSL to all calls via S58MU.   
      
   Listen for operators from Argentina's Yaguarete DX Group using the callsign   
   CP7DX from Bolivia from the 31st of October to the 10th of November. They will   
   operate SSB and FT8 on 160-6 metres, as well as via EME.   
      
   Kazu, MØCFW will be on the air as 3B9/MØCFW from Rodrigues Island, IOTA number   
   AF-017, from the 21st through to the 29th of October. He will participate in   
   the CQ WW DX SSB Contest using the callsign 3B9KW.   
      
   Gil, FM5FJ, will be using the callsign J79FJ from Dominica, IOTA Number   
   NA-101, from the 20th through to the 29th of October, using CW, SSB and   
   perhaps some FT8. He will also participate in the CQ WW DX SSB Contest with   
   the J75A team.   
      
   Listen for members of the Tango Alfa Ham Radio Club, YM1KE, using the callsign   
   TC29TC through to the 29th of October. They are celebrating Republic Day in   
   Turkey, which is on the 29th. QSL via eQSL.   
      
   For QSL details of all stations please refer to qrz.com.   
      
   (425 DX BULLETIN)   
      
   **   
   KICKER: ON DXPEDITION, A PILEUP OF THINGS GOING WRONG   
      
   NEIL/ANCHOR: Our last story this week is for all the dreamers and the do-ers   
   whose plans don't always work out. Ralph Squillace KK6ITB takes us to the   
   South Pacific for that story.   
      
   RALPH: Operating from the Manihiki Atoll in the North Cook Islands had been   
   the shared dream of five hams from the Western Washington DX Club. They   
   weren't just activating the 68th most wanted DXCC entity; they were dreaming   
   of pileups.   
      
   The pileups they got were the unwanted pileups of malfunctions which began not   
   long after they put the callsign E51MWA on the air on the 9th of October.   
   Twelve hours in, their solar plant experienced a voltage loss and they were   
   unable to start their backup generator. The team went QRT for several hours.   
   Back on the air during the next few days, they suffered the failure of a power   
   strip, they lost the use of one radio and then the high-power bandpass filters   
   for 17 and 12 metres failed to work.    
      
   The final blow to their dream came on the 14th of October with a local power   
   outage. The team got their backup generator started but then the generator and   
   the power station's building both caught fire and were destroyed.   
      
   It was time to go home to Washington state for  Rob N7QT, Brian N9ADG, James   
   KC7EFP, Robin WA7CPA and Jack N7JP. The sixth operator, Violetta KN2P, a   
   21-year-old contester, was also scheduled to move on. She was headed to the   
   PJ2T youth-led operation in Curacao for the CQWW SSB contest.   
      
   The team's plan had been to be on the air at Manihiki until October 20th.   
   Instead they posted a message on their website on the 14th. [quote] "Without   
   power options the team has no choice but to go QRT." [endquote] Six days ahead   
   of schedule, it was over. As they packed, they added one more thing to their   
   cargo: big plans that they alluded to in a message on their website. They   
   wrote [quote] "As the team packs equipment for return shipment to the US, we   
   are already thinking of the next DXpedition." [endquote]   
      
   This is Ralph Squillace KK6ITB.   
      
   (E51MWA WEBSITE)   
      
   **   
   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 Adams-Perfect Funeral Home; Amateur News Daily; Amateur Radio   
   Digital Communicatons; Ambarish Nag Biswas VU2JFA; AMSAT News Service;   
   Bharathi VU2RBI; Central Florida Future; David Behar K7DB; the Daily DX; 425DX   
   Bulletin; E51MWA website; Facebook; FCC; National Institute of Amateur Radio;   
   The Philippine Star; QRZ.com; Quarter Century Wireless Association; Radio   
   World; San Angelo Amateur Radio Club archives; Scottish Microwave Round Table;   
   shortwaveradio.de; South Jersey DX Association; Wireless Institute of   
   Australia; 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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