Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2020, July 15, 2016   
      
   Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2020 with a release date of Friday, July   
   15, 2016 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.   
      
   The following is a QST.  BREAKING NEWS: Amateur Electronic Supply's Milwaukee   
   location is reopening -- as a Ham Radio Outlet. American Indian tribes   
   prepare for an emergency earthquake drill. Hams celebrate U.S. Route 52 with   
   - what else? - a mobile station, and Portugal hams get a mountaintop   
   repeater. All this and more in Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2020   
   coming your way right now.   
      
   ***   
      
   BILLBOARD CART HERE   
      
      
   ****   
      
   BREAKING NEWS: HRO BUYS AMATEUR ELECTRONIC SUPPLY'S MILWAUKEE STORE   
      
   STEPHEN/ANCHOR: We begin this week with an announcement that the Milwaukee   
   location of Amateur Electronic Supply is reopening - as the newest Ham Radio   
   Outlet. We hear more from Paul Braun, WD9GCO.    
      
   PAUL BRAUN: U.S. amateur radio operators were shocked last week to hear the   
   news that Amateur Electronic Supply had decided to close its doors at the end   
   of July after 59 years in business.   
      
   Many were equally surprised, however, to hear the news mid-week that Ham   
   Radio Outlet had come to an agreement to purchase the Milwaukee store and   
   take on many of AESÕs employees.   
      
   According to Steve Gilmore, W4SHG, National Sales Manager for HRO, the   
   decision to discuss acquisition of some AES personnel was made as soon as the   
   news broke that they were going to close at the end of July. "The most   
   important thing to us was to acquire that knowledge and experience in   
   customer service," said Gilmore.   
      
   Gilmore said that they had approval of AESÕs senior management to conduct the   
   interviews, and while they were onsite in Milwaukee, they came to the   
   conclusion that having a centralized location would not only serve an area   
   where they previously had no presence, but would also allow them to have much   
   quicker shipping times to more of the country. That brought about the   
   agreement to purchase the facility after the end of the month.   
      
   The company's plan is to completely remodel the Milwaukee store, at which   
   time they believe they will have the largest physical amateur radio store in   
   the country, possibly the world, with merchandise from every major   
   manufacturer in the field.   
      
   ItÕs a big job, Gilmore said, since they are also relocating their Portland,   
   Oregon location to a newer and much larger facility at the same time. The   
   logistics of relocating a lot of personnel and merchandise are challenging.   
   But, he added, theyÕre up to the challenge. Once both locations are finished,   
   they plan on having month-long grand opening celebrations in both cities.   
   Dates and details will be announced at a later date.   
      
   When I asked Gilmore about the other AES locations, he said that   
   mathematically, the Milwaukee location was the only one that made sense right   
   now. He stated that the decisions are made based on customer/population   
   density, and also tax rates.   
      
   Ham Radio Outlet has been in business since 1971, and currently has 13   
   locations across the United States.   
      
   For Amateur Radio Newsline, IÕm Paul Braun, WD9GCO in Valparaiso, Indiana.   
      
   (HAM RADIO OUTLET)   
      
   **   
   EARTHQUAKE EXERCISE INVOLVES AMERICAN TRIBES   
      
   STEPHEN: Emergency preparedness is important no matter where you are, but   
   it's even more critical for American Indians living on often-remote tribal   
   lands. There's an emergency drill coming up for the tribes, and organizers   
   need your help. Here's Amateur Radio Newsline's Neil Rapp, WB9VPG, with more.   
      
   NEIL'S REPORT: The National Tribal Emergency Management Council and the   
   National Tribal Amateur Radio Association are calling Wednesday, September 21   
   the Day of the Quake. And they're hoping to get some of the ham radio   
   stations in American Indian Country involved in an important exercise that   
   day. Working with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Federal   
   Emergency Management Agency, the groups will collaborate on an emergency   
   communications drill, passing messages from the Tachi Nation in Leemore,   
   California to New York about a simulated West Coast earthquake and its   
   aftermath, a well-scripted scenario which will include a building collapse,   
   evacuations and a search-and-rescue operation for those missing.   
      
   For the exercise to work best, however, it will need the involvement of   
   amateur radio relay stations and, in this case, the relays should be stations   
   based in tribal communities or tribal members who are hams wanting to   
   participate. The involvement of hams in Indian country is a key component of   
   this drill.   
      
   Any tribal Amateur Radio clubs or individuals within Tribal communities   
   wanting a role in this event should contact Nathan Nixon at   
   nathan.nixon@itcaonline.com for details. The Day of the Quake will be here   
   before you know it.   
      
   For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Neil Rapp, WB9VPG, in Bloomington, Indiana.    
      
   (NATIONAL TRIBAL AMATEUR RADIO ASSOCIATION)   
      
   **   
      
   US ROUTE 52 TAKES ITS PARTY ON THE ROAD   
      
   STEPHEN: Special event station W4A started in South Carolina earlier this   
   month but is really going places. You can find those places throughout July   
   along historic U.S. Route 52. Amateur Radio Newsline's Heather Embee, KB3TZD,   
   has this story about the hams' 2,000-mile journey.   
      
   HEATHER'S REPORT: U.S. Route 52 has been called "America's Other Great   
   Highway" and in many ways, the route has been greatly eclipsed by its more   
   famous - and perhaps more romantic - east-west counterpart, Route 66. Still,   
   this lesser-known route has much to celebrate too along its more than 2,000   
   miles between Portal, North Dakota on the Saskatchewan border and White Point   
   Gardens in Charleston, South Carolina.   
      
   What better way to celebrate its 90th anniversary than with amateur radio,   
   which pays similar homage along historic Route 66. This year, the mobile   
   celebration of Route 52 began on July 7, and is now continuing west,   
   traveling through 84 counties and 11 states, working CW and SSB. The party   
   goes on until July 22.   
      
   Hams who work the station in a minimum of three states or at least ten   
   counties, can earn a certificate. Working seven through eleven states earns   
   special recognition, as does working 20 or more counties, up to the full 84.   
   There is a special QSL card in addition to the certificates.   
      
   Listen for the call sign, W-4-A. The partygoers will be running about 400   
   watts as they move east to west in their pickup truck and then again on the   
   return trip. For more details, visit the W4A page on QRZ.COM    
      
   For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Heather Embee, KB3TZD, in Berwick,   
   Pennsylvania.   
      
   **   
      
   LESSONS FROM HURRICANE SEASON   
      
   STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Storm preparedness means more than just stocking up the   
   fridge and keeping batteries in the flashlights. For hams, preparedness comes   
   from education, and the ARRL is providing that later this month as we hear   
   from Amateur Radio Newsline's Bobby Best, WX4ALA.   
      
   BOBBY'S REPORT: Storm season is upon us, and if last year's hurricane season   
   can be considered history, then the ARRL webinar on Thursday, July 21 might   
   be considered a history lesson. The 90-minute program is a guide to preparing   
   for this year's Atlantic hurricane season and emergency response, and will   
   include a look back at the roles amateur radio played during last year's   
   season.   
      
   The overview will touch on the Hurricane Watch Net, the VoIP Hurricane Net,   
   the Canadian Hurricane Centre and the ARRL's coordination. Registration is   
   open. If you have questions, contact Mike Corey, KI1U, the ARRL's emergency   
   preparedness manager, at mcorey@arrl.org If you plan to register, do it now.   
      
   For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bobby Best, WX4ALA   
      
   (ARRL)   
      
   **   
      
   BREAK HERE:   
      
   Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline,   
   heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the SPARC club   
   repeater for the Sportsman's Paradise Amateur Radio Club, K4WAK, in Wakulla   
   County, Florida in time for the Friday afternoon commute.   
      
   **   
      
   IN PORTUGAL, REPEATER REACHES NEW HEIGHTS   
      
   STEPHEN/ANCHOR: If it's  height you're after for your new repeater, look to   
   the highest mountain. That's what a group of hams did in Portugal. Here's   
   Amateur Radio Newsline's Jason Daniels, VK2LAW.   
      
   JASON'S REPORT: The highest mountain in Portugal has gained another   
   distinction, thanks to some ambitious amateur radio operators there. Members   
   of the Azores Amateur Radio Union, or URA, have assembled and installed a    
   cross-band repeater on Mount Pico on Pico Island, in the Azores west of the   
   Portuguese mainland. It is designed to work cross-band on 144.550 MHz and   
   439.550 MHz. The call sign for the station is CQ1EPIX.   
      
   It's been a long way up for the two ambitious amateurs, Paulo Gomes CR8ABI   
   and Antonio Paz CU3AJ. The challenging radio work began with an especially   
   challenging ascent on Saturday July 2: The mountain rises 2,351 meters - or   
   7,713 feet - above the North Atlantic Ocean. They were clearly *in* the air   
   before getting *on* the air.   
      
   For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jason Daniels, VK2LAW.   
      
      
   (SOUTHGATE, AMATEUR RADIO EUROPE)   
      
      
   **   
      
   REMEMBERING NIKOLA TESLA   
      
   STEPHEN: Where would we be without Nikola Tesla? Well, for one thing, we   
   might not be on the air. Things would surely be very different without the   
   work of the 20th century inventor, who was born 160 years ago in Croatia. It   
   seems only fitting, then, that the weekends of July and August be devoted to   
   honoring him in the venue that suits his memory best - radio. The Union des   
   Radioclubs, F8URC, is using the special callsign, TM160NT, for just that   
   purpose. Nikola Tesla, who died in 1943, might appreciate the inventiveness   
   of that.   
      
   (ARRL)   
      
      
      
      
   **   
   IN THE UK, ONE RADIO ENTHUSIAST'S LASTING LEGACY   
      
   STEPHEN: An amateur radio club in the UK has helped fulfill a radio   
   enthusiast's dying wish to benefit charity. Here's Amateur Radio Newsline's   
   Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.   
      
   JEREMY: As any amateur knows, the power of radio to accomplish great things   
   doesn't end when the set is turned off. That was certainly no secret to   
   Adrian Aylward of Highclere. Although Adrian wasn't a ham himself, his love   
   of radio and electronics in general made him a kindred spirit to amateurs.   
   Diagnosed two years ago with cancer, Adrian died last April, expressing the   
   wish that the electronics equipment, and certainly the radios he used for so   
   much enjoyable listening, might go on to benefit others. His family contacted   
   the Newbury and District Amateur Radio Society, which helped fulfill Adrian's   
   final wishes.  The equipment was sold through a silent auction among club   
   members, with the remaining unsold items offered for purchase in June at the   
   Newbury Radio Rally. Adrian got his final wish: The equipment found the good   
   homes he'd hoped for, and the sales generated a gift of œ1,000 to be given to   
   Cancer Research UK. A portion of the money raised also went to the Newbury   
   Club.   
      
   Jonathan Smithers, representing Adrian's family, said: QUOTE "Adrian would   
   have been happy that we have helped to improve the lives of those still   
   living with cancer and also encouraged those with a curiosity about what can   
   be achieved through electronics." ENDQUOTE   
      
   For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jeremy Boot, G4NJH, in Nottingham, the UK.   
      
   (THE NEWBURY TODAY NEWSPAPER)   
      
   **   
      
   SOUTH AFRICAN HAMS ROAD TEST NEW WEBSITE   
      
   STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Hams with the Kempton Park Amateur Radio Technical Society   
   are asking for a radio check. Sort of. The club, which uses the call sign,   
   ZS6KTS, has just launched a new website and is looking for feedback. They're   
   inviting amateurs from everywhere to visit them, read about their activities   
   or post a comment.   
      
   The club operates repeaters on 2 meters and 70 cm and is also active on   
   EchoLink Node 8041. Visit their website at zs6kts.co.za   
      
   (KEMPTON PARK AMATEUR RADIO TECHNICAL SOCIETY)   
      
   **   
      
   THE WORLD OF DX:   
      
   In the world of DX, be listening for a number of stations working during the   
   Radio Society of Great Britain's IOTA Contest, July 30 and 31st.   
      
   They include Tibor, OM3RM, working as IS0/OM8A from Sardinia, as a   
   Single-Op/All-Band/High-Power entry. Send QSL cards via OM2VL.   
      
   There is also Joe, IT9RZU, who will be active from the island of Sicily   
   during the contest as a Single-Op/All-Band/Low-Power entry. Send QSLs via his   
   home callsign, by the Bureau or LoTW.   
      
   Mike, IF9ZWA, will be active from Favignana Island during the contest as a   
   Single-Op entry. QSLs should be sent to his home callsign via the Bureau only.   
      
   And finally, Theodoros, SV1EJD, will be active in the contest as well, but   
   will also be working as SV8/SV1EJD from Syros Island between July 23rd and   
   August 11th. Listen for him on 80-6 meters where he'll be using SSB and RTTY.   
   QSL via his home callsign or LoTW.   
      
   **   
      
   MORSE, A CODE FOR THE COSMOS   
      
   STEPHEN: And finally, we close this week's report with a look at Mars. Ham   
   radio operators will especially enjoy knowing about the surprise the Red   
   Planet revealed recently through the lens of NASA's Mars Reconnaissance   
   Orbiter. Here's that story from Amateur Radio Newsline's Graham Kemp, VK4BB.   
      
   GRAHAM: Lest any detractors of Morse Code hold firm in their belief that   
   there is nothing at all natural about Samuel Morse's form of telegraphy -   
   well, think again.   
      
   CW apparently is as natural as the universe itself. In fact, scientists have   
   recently discovered dots and dashes growing in the wild. That's right, wild,   
   organically grown Code. It's not even cultivated with a paddle or a straight   
   key.   
      
   The messages were spotted recently on Mars by NASA's Mars Reconnaissance   
   Orbiter, carved into the dark dunes of a field lying just below the north   
   pole.   
      
   Were Martians perhaps having their own version of Field Day? Were the hams   
   there trying for their Worked All Planets award?   
      
   Well, geophysicists do have an explanation - as scientists often do. In a   
   press release, the agency explained the patterns that sculpted the sand in   
   such a meaningful way. Bi-directional winds are what carved the long dashes,   
   and the dots, well, those are still something of a mystery, though they have   
   a name: barchanoid dunes.   
      
   The decoded message turns out to be sheer nonsense - at least for Earthlings'   
   ears - beginning with the phrase: "NEE NED Z-B 6-T-N-N" and so forth.   
      
   What does it all mean? Good question. We'll keep our ears tuned to the sky.   
   Perhaps the Reconnaissance Orbiter may next happen upon some hams in the   
   dunes engaging in Single Side Band or .....even another kind of Mars Code.   
      
   For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Graham Kemp, VK4BB.   
      
   (NASA, GIZMODO)   
      
   **   
      
   NEWSCAST CLOSE: With thanks to Alan Labs; the ARRL; Amateur Radio Europe; CQ   
   Magazine; Gizmodo; Hap Holly and the Rain Report; the IARU; Irish Radio   
   Transmitter Society; Kempton Park Amateur Radio Society; NASA; Newbury Today   
   newspaper; Ohio-Penn DX Bulletin; The Province newspaper; QRZ; Southgate   
   Amateur Radio News; Ted Randall's QSO Radio Show; Wireless Institute of   
   Australia; WTWW Shortwave; and you our listeners, that's all from the Amateur   
   Radio Newsline. Please send emails to our address at newsline@arnewsline.org.   
   More information is available at Amateur Radio Newsline's only official   
   website located at www.arnewsline.org.   
      
   For now, with Caryn Eve Murray, KD2GUT, at the news desk in New York, and our   
   news team worldwide, I'm Stephen Kinford, N8WB, in Wadsworth, Ohio 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   
   hamfdn(at)wpusa.dynip.com.   
      
   Thank you and good day!   
      
   -73- ARNTE-0.1.0-OS2 build 42   
   (text/plain utf-8 base64)   
      
      
    * Origin: (1:3634/12)