Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1993 with a release date of Friday,    
   January 8, 2016 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.   
      
   The following is a QST. Amateur radio equipment maker TEN-TEC gets yet    
   another new owner. The Polish DXer who'll work North Korea this year has    
   delayed his plans. The estate of a British Silent Key gives a gift to a    
   local hospice. And the yearlong National Parks on the Air event is off    
   and running! All this and more in Amateur Radio Newsline Report 1993    
   coming your way right now.   
      
   (Billboard Cart Here and Intro)   
      
      
   DISHTRONIX BUYS TEN-TEC'S ASSETS   
      
      
   We begin this week's newscast with word of the latest sale of    
   beleaguered amateur radio equipment maker TEN-TEC. The assets of the    
   company, founded in 1968, have been sold to Ohio-based Dishtronix,    
   according to recent news reports. Although final details have yet to be    
   disclosed, and neither company has formally announced the purchase,    
   Dishtronix owner Steven M. Dishop, N8WFF, acknowledged the deal on the    
   ARRL website. Dishop tells the ARRL that his vision for the business is    
   QUOTE "strictly long term." ENDQUOTE And he reaffirmed his 17-year-old    
   company's commitment to its continued financial stability despite what    
   he called QUOTE "some tough decisions."   
      
   Toward that end, Dishtronix has contracted with former TEN-TECH    
   engineering manager, John Henry, K-I-4-J-P-L, and initiated new service    
   policies and related pricing. Dishop said TEN-TEC's service department    
   had been operating at a loss.   
      
   TEN-TEC's asset sale is the latest for the beleaguered company, which    
   began as the manufacturer of transceivers for QRP users. Last April, RKR    
   Designs of Colorado announced it had purchased TEN-TEC's assets, along    
   with those of Alpha Amplifiers, from RF Concepts. The two lines had been    
   merged less than a year earlier in yet another asset sale.   
      
   Dishtronix, which committed to offering high-power, solid-state    
   amplifiers and accessories to the amateur market in 2001, now has a    
   variety of products in development and plans to introduce a new    
   legal-limit, solid-state amplifier in May at the Dayton Hamvention.   
      
   (ARRL)   
      
   **   
      
   A DELAY FOR NOTED DXer   
      
   SKEETER/ANCHOR: Polish DXer Dom, 3Z9DX, is back in the news with his    
   North Korea DXpedition. But this time, he's in the spotlight for being    
   OFF the air. Amateur Radio Newsline's Graham Kemp, VK4BB, has more.   
      
   GRAHAM'S REPORT:   
      
   The well-publicized DXpedition of Polish amateur Dom, 3Z9DX, is still on    
   - but the amateur world is going to have to wait a little bit longer for    
   it to happen. Gryzb rocked the airwaves in late December with an    
   unannounced on-air demonstration from North Korea which was a big    
   success, despite problematic solar conditions. Even with little fanfare    
   announcing  his presence, he managed to make almost 800 contacts, most    
   of them in Asia.   
      
   When he departed North Korea to celebrate the holidays back home in    
   Poland, he announced a hoped-for return in February to get back on the air.   
      
   His plans have since changed. He recently told DX World that he will now    
   wait until late summer before launching his long-awaited DXpedition as    
   P5. His goal, he says, is to find a location that will provide quieter    
   operating conditions.   
      
   For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Graham Kemp, VK4BB.   
      
   (DXWORLD.NET, CQ AMATEUR RADIO)   
      
   **   
      
   NPOTA - THE FIRST CONTACT   
      
   [SKEETER:] Meanwhile, the ARRL's National Parks On The Air event has    
   kicked off, as of 00:00 UTC New Years Day, January 1st and Newsline's    
   Don Wilbanks, AE5DW was ready.  Listen:   
      
   [NPOTA AUDIO - 1:18)   
      
      
   [SKEETER:] That's Pat, N Zero Oh Oh at the mic for the W3HAC station set    
   up at the base of the Washington Monument in Washington D.C. Pat and Don    
   made that contact just 3 minutes into the event, making them two of the    
   first to make NPOTA contacts.  At press time we haven't heard how many    
   contacts W3HAC managed to log but the year-long event celebrating the    
   National Parks System's centennial is just getting started so there's    
   plenty of time to join the fun. You can be an activator or a chaser, or    
   both.  Everything you need to know can be found at the National Parks On    
   The Air page at arrl.org/npota, or the Facebook page.  Search ARRL    
   National Parks On The Air.   
      
   **   
      
   WEATHERING A NEW SOUND   
      
   [SKEETER:] If you've been using NOAA Weather Radio to monitor the    
   changing forecast, get ready for a new voice to deliver the    
   meteorological message to you. Amateur Radio Newsline's Bobby Best,    
   WX4ALA, has that story.   
      
   [BOBBY'S REPORT:]   
      
   What does the weather sound like? Starting Jan. 11, whether the outlook    
   is sunny or stormy, the forecast is going to sound a whole lot different.   
      
   NOAA Weather Radio is about to deploy its first upgrade in 15 years of    
   the system that produces its broadcast programs. And that upgrade will    
   change the voice listeners hear delivering observations, warnings,    
   watches and forecasts.   
      
   A number of weather service offices, including the ones in    
   Greenville-Spartanburg,  South Carolina, will be involved in an    
   operational test and evaluation period following the launch this month.   
      
   NOAA hopes the new voice, generated by a new computer system, weathers    
   the flood of feedback it expects during this period, which is likely to    
   last several months. If all goes well, the new system will have a    
   nationwide rollout later in the year on all transmitters.   
      
   Comments can be sent to gsp.webmaster@noaa.gov.   
      
   (NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE)   
      
      
   SKEETER: That was Amateur Radio Newsline's Bobby Best, WX4ALA.   
      
   **   
      
   CRASH INJURES ARIZONA AMATEUR   
      
   Don Seibert N-2-M-OH-OH (N2MOO), vice president of the Sierra Nevada    
   Amateur Radio Society, was injured in a motor vehicle crash on New Years    
   Day and latest reports at press time listed him in critical condition in    
   the intensive care unit of Renown Hospital in Reno.   
      
   Reports on the Nevada Amateur Radio Newswire website indicate that    
   Seibert's condition was being assessed by doctors following surgery. The    
   report said the accident occurred after a woman turned into the path of    
   his vehicle after failing to heed a traffic signal.   
      
   Seibert had begun his third consecutive term as club Vice-President on    
   the day the accident happened. Seibert is considered one of the    
   principal architects creating the DMR system for the Sierra Nevada club.    
   According to the Sierra Nevada website, the former truck driver retired    
   from his profession after being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. The    
   website said that a GoFundMe account has been set up to defray his    
   medical expenses following the accident.   
      
      
   (NEVADA AMATEUR RADIO NEWSWIRE)   
      
   **   
      
   BREAK HERE:   
      
   Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio    
   Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around such as the Mingus Mountain    
   Repeater Group, K7MRG, in Arizona, on Tuesday evenings.   
      
   **   
      
   ARRL AND RGSB: CHANGING OF THE GUARD   
      
   Big changes in leadership are coming for the ARRL and the Radio Society    
   of Great Britain.   
      
   The ARRL Board of Directors expects to elect a new president and a    
   number of other new officers at its annual meeting on Friday, January 15    
   and Saturday, January 16, in Windsor, Connecticut. They will choose a    
   successor to ARRL President Kay Craigie, N3KN, who is stepping down    
   after three 2-year terms.   
      
   ARRL Chief Executive Officer David Sumner, K1ZZ, and ARRL Chief    
   Operating Officer Harold Kramer, WJ1B, who are both retiring, will also    
   be attending this meeting as their last with the ARRL.   
      
   Graham Coomber, G-ZERO-N-B-I (G0NBI), the General Manager of the Radio    
   Society of Great Britain announced his retirement on January 4,    
   prompting a search for his successor. He has been general manager since    
   2012.   
      
      
   (ARRL, RSGB)   
      
   **   
      
   CALLING ALL "K" SIGNS   
      
   SKEETER/ANCHOR: If one of your contacts this year happens to be a ham    
   from Cornwall in the UK, don't be surprised if they identify with a    
   callsign with a bit of a different twist. Amateur Radio Newsline's    
   Jeremy Boot, G4NJH, explains:   
      
   JEREMY'S REPORT:   
      
      
   The year ahead holds special significance, and identity, for radio    
   amateurs in Cornwall, who are starting 2016 with the ability to add a    
   "K" to their call signs for the course of the year.   
      
   Approved by OfCom late last year, this Special "K" in a real sense    
   acknowledges the national minority status granted to the Cornish people    
   two years ago. The Poldhu Amateur Radio Club successfully lobbied for    
   the process, known as Notice of Variation, or "NOV," under which    
   amateurs can seek to modify their call signs. The designation, which is    
   optional, is designed to be available to all of Cornwall's amateurs,    
   regardless of club affiliation. Callsigns at the intermediate level    
   replace the "E" with a "D."   
      
   Applications can be made throughout the year but all designations will    
   expire on the 31st of December, 2016.   
      
   Advocates of the variation are hoping this recognition via call sign    
   will boost on-air activity among hams in Cornwall, and a number of clubs    
   are establishing a "Kernow Award, recognizing such activity. Details of    
   which are available on the club website, www.gb2gm.org.   
      
   Meanwhile, amateurs await the opportunity to participate in a Special    
   Event for St. Piran, the 5th century Cornish abbot who became the patron    
   saint of Cornwall. That event will take place on St. Piran's Day, the    
   5th of March, 2016.   
      
   For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jeremy Boot, G4NJH, in Nottingham, the UK.   
      
      
   (SOUTHGATE ARC, POLDHU AMATEUR RADIO CLUB WEBSITE)   
      
   **   
      
   HAM SHACK SALE BENEFITS UK HOSPICE   
      
   The legacy of Michael Hall, 2E0MBJ, now a Silent Key, will no doubt    
   provide care and comfort to many. His widow, with the help of the    
   Banbury Amateur Radio Society, donated the proceeds of 380 pounds from    
   the sale of his shack to Katharine House Hospice just outside Banbury in    
   the UK.   
      
   The club's chairman, John Manley, M1CNJ, tells the Banbury Guardian    
   newspaper: QUOTE "As always, it is difficult for close family members to    
   know how to deal with technical possessions in these situations. It was    
   on such an occasion that the Banbury radio society was contacted by Mrs    
   Hall for advice..." ENDQUOTE   
      
   Michael Hall had been an active member of the Banbury Club, where he had    
   taken his Foundation course and gotten his license.   
      
   (SOUTHGATE, THE BANBURY GUARDIAN)   
      
   **   
      
   MOONBOUNCE PIONEER BECOMES SILENT KEY   
      
   A veteran radio operator who was part of the first crew of Scottish    
   amateurs to complete a moonbounce in 1965 became a Silent Key in late    
   December. In 1965, working out of a remote site in the East Neuk of    
   Fife, at a former RAF beacon station, Ken Street, GM3ENJ, had been part    
   of a group from the Dunfermline Amateur Radio Society that contacted    
   Arecibo in Puerto Rico via the moon, transmitting on CW on 70 cm. The    
   group used the callsign GM3FYB, and the transmission was recorded on    
   site where it had been received in Puerto Rico. Street, who lived in    
   Dunfermline, was still an active amateur at the time of his death, and    
   worked sideband mainly on 2 meters. He was 91.   
      
   (SOUTHGATE ARC)   
      
   **   
      
   A YEAR OF BRITISH SCIENTISTS   
      
   Another British radio group, The Phoenix Amateur Radio Club, seems to    
   have anniversaries down to a science. In fact, the anniversaries    
   themselves are all about science. The club is devoting 2016 to an array    
   of special events celebrating notable British scientists throughout history.   
      
   More than 40 British scientists will be honored throughout the year,    
   beginning with on Friday, January 8 marking the birthday of Stephen    
   Hawking, and ending on Dec. 25 with Sir Isaac Newton. According to the    
   17th century Julian calendar in effect when he was born, Newton would    
   have been born on Christmas - although the physicist's birth is observed    
   in modern times on Jan. 4.   
      
   All clubs in the UK are invited to participate, and the Phoenix club    
   members are hoping there will be many with a local connection to some of    
   the scientists. The special events, by the way, will also celebrate many    
   of the notable ham radio contacts that are expected - and offer Bronze,    
   Silver and Gold awards for qualifying amateurs.   
      
      
   (PHOENIX AMATEUR RADIO CLUB, SOUTHGATE ARC)   
      
   **   
      
   LIONS ROAR ON THE AIR   
      
   When does the roar of a Lion sound a lot like a friendly QSO? Only    
   during a special event called Hunting Lions In The Air. The amateur    
   event is designed to connect Lions Club International members with other    
   members around the world who also have a radio license. This year, it    
   kicks off Saturday, January 9 and continues through Wednesday, January    
   13. The 13th is a significant date since it marks the birthdate, in    
   1879, of Arizona native Melvin Jones. Jones, who later became a Chicago    
   businessman, founded the service organization known as Lions Club    
   International in 1917. Lions clubs support medical research, disaster    
   assistance, services for the disabled, and other community causes.   
      
   Hams and Lions Club members are being encouraged to contact their local    
   Lions Club to encourage participation in the on-air event.   
      
      
   (AMATEUR RADIO VICTORIA)   
      
   **   
      
      
   WORLD OF DX   
      
      
   Francis, F6BLP, is active through January 31 as 6W7SK from Saly    
   Portudal, in Senegal. He is working holiday style, operating mainly CW    
   with some SSB and RTTY on 160 through 6 meters. Look for his low band    
   activity during his local sunrise and sunset. Send QSLs via F6BLP,    
   direct or by the Bureau.   
      
   Marcelo, EA1HFI, is active through March 4 from Ziguinchor in Senegal,    
   with an emphasis on SSB and the Digital modes. His activity is being    
   done QRP, during his free time and weekends. QSL via his home callsign,    
   direct or by the Bureau. Follow him on Facebook as Marcelo HFI and    
   Twitter as @EA1HFI.   
      
   Look for Polish special event station 3Z6DOBRZEN through January 31. The    
   station will be operated by the members of the Piastowski Short Wave    
   Radio Club, SP6PAZ, and others. They are celebrating the fifth    
   anniversary of short wave radio activities as part of the Dobrzen Wielki    
   District Cultural Centre. Find the station on HF and VHF bands using CW,    
   SSB and Digital modes. Send QSLs via SP6PAZ ONLY, by the PZK Bureau or    
   direct.   
      
   (OHIO PENN DX NEWSLETTER)   
      
   **   
      
   KICKER: FROM CANADA WITH LOVE   
      
   Radio amateurs like Norway's Ole Forr, LA6EIA, are no doubt accustomed    
   to scoring a big DX every now and again on the HF bands. But when the    
   58-year-old dairy farmer tuned in late last year on the AM band for a    
   program called "The Morning Edition with Sheila Coles" he ended up    
   turning program host Sheila Coles into an unwitting DXer herself: He was    
   listening to a popular CBC Saskatchewan program being broadcast for a    
   Canadian audience.   
      
   It's not that good radio listening is hard to come by in Norway, of    
   course. But the radio-obsessed Forr and his friends decided they'd try    
   and take advantage of some prime conditions - a dark,remote location in    
   the north of Norway -- and some long-range receiving antennas, just for fun.   
      
   They not only heard the Canadian program, Forr even captured it on an    
   MP3 file - and sent the recording to the CBC to prove what his    
   not-so-local ears had heard. The Canadian broadcasters, of course, gave    
   Forr's recording a great reception.   
      
   And now CBC radio's Sheila Coles, who landed an enviable DX without even    
   trying - thanks to Ole Forr - has got herself a new fan. He's somewhere    
   out there on his farm in Norway, tuning up his receiver - and milking    
   his cows.   
      
      
   (CBC)   
      
      
   **   
      
   NEWSCAST CLOSE   
   With thanks to Alan Labs; Amateur Radio Victoria; the ARRL; the Banbury    
   Guardian; the CBC; CQ Magazine; DX.NET; Hap Holly and the Rain Report;    
   The Nevada Amateur Radio Newswire; the Ohio-Penn DX Bulletin; Phoenix    
   Amateur Radio Club; Poldhu Amateur Radio Club; Southgate Amateur Radio    
   News; TWiT TV; and you our listeners, that's all from the Amateur Radio    
   Newsline. Our email address is newsline@arnewsline.org. More information    
   is available at Amateur Radio Newsline's only official website located    
   at www.arnewsline.org. You can also write to us or support us at Amateur    
   Radio Newsline, 28197 Robin Avenue, Santa Clarita, CA 91350.   
      
   For now, with Caryn Eve Murray, KD2GUT, at the news desk in New York,    
   and our news team worldwide, I'm Skeeter Nash, N5ASH, in Topeka, Kansas,    
   saying 73 and as always we thank you for listening.   
      
   Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) is Copyright 2016. All rights reserved.   
      
   ***   
      
   As a Service to the HAM Radio Community and HAM Operators all over the   
   world, this Amateur Radio Newline(tm) message has been gated from the   
   internet and posted to you by Waldo's Place USA, fidonet node 1:3634/12.   
   We hope you enjoyed it!   
      
   Please address all comments and questions to the ARNewsletter editor as   
   described in this posting. If you have any specific questions related   
   to the actual posting of this message, you may address them to   
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   Thank you and good day!   
      
   -73- ARNTE-0.1.0-OS2 build 42   
   (text/plain utf-8 7bit)   
      
      
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