Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2477 for Friday, April 18th, 2025 Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2477 with a release date of Friday, April 18th, 2025 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1 The following is a QST. Hams gain an exemption from Iowa's distracted-driving law. A popular digital amateur radio newsletter prepares to hold its first big conference; and a dramatic rescue of a SOTA operator on a California mountain. All this and more as Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2477 comes your way right now. ** BILLBOARD CART ** HAMS GAIN EXEMPTION IN IOWA'S DISTRACTED-DRiVING LAW JIM/ANCHOR: Our top story this week is about the distracted-driving law in states around the US that prohibits drivers from sending text messages or performing other functions with a handheld device. Iowa has just become the 31st state to add language to their law exempting licensed hams from those restrictions. Dave Parks WB8ODF tells us what that means. DAVE: Amateur radio operators in Iowa have won an exemption to the state's new distracted-driving law that takes effect on the 1st of July. The governor signed the bill into law on the 2nd of April after both the state House and Senate passed it overwhelmingly. It bans drivers from using mobile phones or any wireless device while behind the wheel unless it is in hands-free or voice-activated mode. The bill, which was five years in the making, exempts licensed hams who are using two-way radios. Iowa joins 30 other states, including New York, Arizona and Minnesota, in granting hams permission to operate their radios while driving. This is Dave Parks WB8ODF. (DES MOINES REGISTER; KCCI DES MOINES; ARRL) ** REGULATOR SEEKS COMMENT ON AUSTRALIA'S CLASS-LICENSE CONDITIONS JIM/ANCHOR: In Australia, the communications regulator is looking for input on some minor changes in language affecting the nation's new amateur Class License, as we hear from Graham Kemp VK4BB. GRAHAM: The Radiocommunications Licence Conditions Determination 2015, which provides conditions on the use of amateur radio assigned and non-assigned licences, is being reviewed by The Australian Communications and Media Authority before it expires on 1 October 2025. While many amateurs now operate under the Radiocommunications Class Licence 2023, existing non-assigned amateur licences will continue to exist and operate under the conditions of the 2015 Amateur LCD until they expire. The authority's goal is to fine-tune the language of the LCD so it aligns with the new amateur Class Licence. Although the ACMA is seeking comments from the public, the authority stresses that this review is not considering major changes, such as amateur access to bands, but a list of simple recommendations that are now available for viewing in draft form. Comments are due no later than Monday the 26th of May at 5 p.m. AEST. To see the draft document, follow the link in the text version of this week's newscast at arnewsline.org [DO NOT READ: https://tinyurl.com/494x4ssz ] This is Graham Kemp VK4BB. (ACMA) ** SILENT KEY: BOB FAY, WBØNPN, EMERGENCY RESPONDER AND MENTOR JIM/ANCHOR: Hams in Ohio are mourning the loss of a friend, a mentor and a familiar face to visitors at the Voice of America Museum. We learn about him from Neil Rapp WB9VPG. NEIL: If you've ever been to the Voice of America Museum in West Chester, Ohio, it's possible you met Bob Fay, WBØNPN. He was an active member and past officer of the West Chester Amateur Radio Association which has its shack inside the museum. Bob became a Silent Key on the 5th of April. First licensed in 1973, Bob was especially devoted to public service and emergency communications in different states through the years. He had been active in Hamilton County Ohio ARES as well as Lake County Illinois RACES and was a special deputy sheriff for the Hennepin County, Minnesota Mobile Amateur Radio Corps. He had also been deeply involved in emergency communications in Riverside and Los Angeles counties in California. His long tenure as a ham deepened his appreciation for radio and he especially loved sharing his enthusiasm and expertise with the next generation. A proud moment for him was his receipt of an Elmer Award in 2016 from Christopher Brault, KD8YVJ - now KK8C -- after Chris became the 2015 recipient of the Hiram Percy Maxim Award from the ARRL. Bob was 89. This is Neil Rapp WB9VPG. (JOCELYN BRAULT, KD8VRX, QRZ.COM) ** SILENT KEY: SHIRLEY HARDSTAFF, VK7HSC, INNOVATOR AND ADVOCATE JIM/ANCHOR: Hams in Australia - especially the close-knit community of YLs in Tasmania - are grieving after one of their own has become a Silent Key. They describe as a leader, an innovator and inspiring force, as we hear from John Williams VK4JJW. JOHN: Remembered for her leadership and her personal touch as president of the North West Tasmania Amateur Radio Club, Shirley Hardstaff VK7HSC, had been immersed in amateur radio since the first day she got her licence. A familiar face to many in the Australian Ladies Amateur Radio Association, or ALARA, and at many gatherings in Tasmania, Shirley became a Silent Key on the 5th of April. Her friends recalled her as someone with a leadership style that brought a personal touch to YL meet-ups, placing less of an emphasis on business and committee formalities and more focus on social interaction. In 2019, she organised and funded the Bi-Monthly Chat and Show which was held at the Penguin Rec Centre and later the Ulverstone Rec Centre, until 2021. Her on-air presence embraced traditional HF as well as other modes, including Echolink, DMR, IRLP and SSTV. She often served as stand-in net control for the Mount Duncan Net and a big supporter of the Scouting event Jamboree on the Air. Shirley, who was the VK7 representative to ALARA from 2010 to 2014, was elected president of the North West Tasmania Amateur Radio Club in 2010. She stepped down in 2023. She and her late husband, Max, VK7KY, were widely known for their travels and were familiar faces at ham radio events around Tasmania. Shirley was 83. This is John Williams VK4JJW. (NORMA O'HARE, VK2YL, ANNE LANDERS, VK7BYL) ** ZERO RETRIES NEWSLETTER HOSTING INAUGURAL CONFERENCE JIM/ANCHOR: The Zero Retries newsletter, which offers readers articles on technology and innovation in ham radio, is branching out to host its first digital conference later this year. It will be held in Washington State. We have details from George Zafiropoulos KJ6VU. GEORGE: September will be a big month for technology and innovation in amateur radio – and at the inaugural Zero Retries Digital Conference, many of the articles readers have enjoyed in the newsletter will come to life: Those attending can expect to hear about the IP400 Networking Project, and see demonstrations of the M17 Digital Voice/Data system and the MMDVM-TNC data system. Conference manager Tina Stroh KD7WSF expects to put out requests for presenters very soon and will make a sign-up sheet available online. The conference will be held on the 13th of September at the Edward D. Hansen Conference Center in Everett, Washington. The Hansen conference center will be transformed into a kind of epicenter of digital innovation at that time. The Zero Retries conference is taking place just as GRCon 2025 wraps up. GRCon is the annual conference for the GNU Radio project and community, That conference runs from Monday September 8th through to Friday September 12th. Although the two events share the same venue, they are not connected to one another. Invitations to the Zero Retries conference are expected to be sent out shortly. This is George Zafiropoulos KJ6VU. (ZERO RETRIES) ** BIG WELCOME FOR YOUNGSTERS AT HAMVENTION ON MAY 17TH JIM/ANCHOR: If you are a high school student, or even younger, the easiest way to attend Hamvention is to simply show up on Saturday the 17th of May at the Greene County Fair and Expo Center. Admission is free that day for youngsters. Young visitors who want an experience that's designed just for them are also able to attend the Youth Rally, a special day-long program designed to offer students a variety of hands-on experiences in amateur radio. It is led by Steve Goodgame, K5ATA, the ARRL's education and learning manager. Students get to take part in a short on-air sprint, contact a parachute mobile radio operator and learn about satellite communications. Youngsters are encouraged to bring a 2-meter HT if they have one. Unlike admission to the fairgrounds, advance registration is recommended for the Youth Rally and costs $20. (ARRL) ** NOMINATE OUR NEXT YOUNG HAM OF THE YEAR JIM/ANCHOR: Each year, the Amateur Radio Newsline Bill Pasternak Memorial Young Ham of the Year Award receives nominations of promising young hams who truly impress our judges. It is time once again to give them an opportunity at the recognition they deserve. Consider nominating an amateur radio operator 18 years of age or younger here in the continental United States. Consider someone who has talent, promise and a commitment to the spirit of ham radio. Find application forms on our website arnewsline.org under the "YHOTY" tab. We are accepting nominations through May 31st. ** BREAK HERE: Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the K7MMA repeater in Spokane, Washington on Fridays at 5 p.m. local time. ** FIRST YOTA JUNIOR CAMP JIM/ANCHOR: The application period is open for Youth on the Air Junior Camp, which is makiNg its debut this year for amateur radio operators under the age of 15. Applicants must have a valid US ham radio license and will be expected to attend with a parent or guardian who needn't have a license themselves. This is a three-day version of the YOTA region wide camps for older youngsters and is modeled after the Kids on the Air program in IARU Region 1. It will take place in July at the Voice of America Museum in West Chester, Ohio. For details visit yota.org. ** HAM RADIO TAKES 1ST JOURNEY ON FLORIDA TRAIL EVENT JIM/ANCHOR: In the US, a recent 10-mile hike along one section of the Florida Scenic Trail became a journey of discovery, not necessarily for the hikers who know the trail well - but for the activity’s organizers. They learned the value that amateur radio can bring to the experience for everyone. Jack Parker W8ISH tells us more about it. JACK: A group known as the Tropical Trekkers has been celebrating the anniversary of a 10-mile stretch of the Florida Scenic Trail since it was opened to hikers 7 years ago. With mobile phones in hand, the organizers have traditionally tracked the celebration's hikers with as much accuracy as intermittent cellular service would allow. That is, until this year. In late March, seven amateur radio operators were dispatched to checkpoints every 3 or so miles along the trail and used VHF simplex to ensure that no hikers became lost, injured or in need of assistance during this annual event. Mike Gormley, WA8VEC, a longtime trail supporter, told Newsline that the presence of radio was a natural for the trail event - and he was relieved when his offer to bring a team of volunteers was accepted. Mike has known the needs of trail life well. For years he has been known as “Water Boy” for his regular placement and replenishment of fresh water jugs along a 30-mile stretch of trail during hiking season. So far this year, he has already distributed 195 gallons. He also volunteers with the Tropical Trekkers, his chapter of the Florida Trail Association, to help with the physical maintenance of 70 miles of trail. Nine months before this year's event, Mike and his team of radio volunteers - some of whom are also part of ARES or activate POTA - started developing written forms and a protocol for tracking the hikers’ whereabouts. On the day of the hike, they even provided return shuttle service for those who finished at the far end of the trail. This is not the journey's end, however. The team has been invited back and is already planning for next year. Mike said that perhaps next time they’ll make use of Winlink too. This is Jack Parker W8ISH. (MIKE GORMLEY, WA8VEC) ** RSGB HONORS 2 FROM HAMSCI FOR PROPAGATION STUDIES JIM/ANCHOR: The Radio Society of Great Britain has recognized achievements of two key members of the US-based citizen science investigation team, HamSCI. Jeremy Boot G4NJH tells us more. JEREMY: Congratulations to Nathaniel Frissell, W2NAF, and Gwyn Griffiths, G3ZIL, whose studies of ionospheric propagation with Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation, or HamSCI, has been honoured by the Radio Society of Great Britain. The Les Barclay Memorial Award has been given to Nathaniel for HamSCI's contributions in elevating amateur radio-based citizen science to a higher profile. The award is being given to him by the RSGB Propagation Studies Committee. He is the founder of HamSCI. Gwyn is the author of a series of articles published in several issues of the RSGB magazine, RadCom, in 2024. She has been recognised through the society's Wortley-Talbot Trophy which recognises in particular her article, "Height of Reflections at HF," that appeared in the August 2024 magazine issue. She is a longtime member of the HamSCI community. This is Jeremy Boot G4NJH. (HAMSCI) ** WORLD OF DX In the World of DX, Andy, G7SQW, is operating as EJ/G7SQW from Arranmore Island, IOTA number EU-121, on the 19th and 20th of April. Andy will be on the HF bands using SSB and the digital modes. See QRZ.com for QSL details. Members of the Rede dos Emissores Portugueses will be activating three callsigns marking World Amateur Radio Day between the 18th and 24th of April. Listen for CR1IARU from the Azores, IOTA number EU-175, CR3IARU from Madeira, IOTA number AF-014 and CR5IARU from mainland Portugal. QSLs via CT1REP. Peter, PD1RP, is celebrating the 80th anniversary since the end of the German occupation of the Netherlands during World War II. He is on the air as PD80FREE until the 30th of June. All QSOs will be confirmed automatically via the bureau. (425 DX BULLETIN) ** KICKER: THE SUMMIT OF EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS JIM/ANCHOR: Emergency preparedness comes in many shapes. It can be an organized drill, a regularly scheduled net or, as three hams in California recently found out, it can be as simple as leaving your 2-meter rig on and monitoring it. Ralph Squillace brings us this week's final story - a tale of rescue following serious injury on a snow-encrusted SOTA summit.. RALPH: Greg Davidson, KF6CNS, recalls sitting in his garage with a friend in late March when a call for help came over on the 2-meter simplex calling frequency. Vincent LeVeque KF6FLJ had been hoping for a day of SOTA on Mt. Williamson in the Angeles National Forest when his hike ended in a 150-foot slide down the hillside and a bone-breaking crash into a tree. Vincent had dropped his mobile phone; his emergency beacon had little power remaining - but he was able to call for help on his handy talkie. Greg received that call 50 miles away thanks to a large commercial antenna at home. His immediate telephone outreach eventually led him to Will Richards KJ6JJB, operations leader of county sheriff's Montrose Search & Rescue. Will dispatched a helicopter and stayed on the phone with Greg who was maintaining radio contact with Vincent. Pinning down the location's coordinates precisely posed a challenge for the helicopter but Vincent was soon spotted, his bright orange windbreaker standing out against the snow. Vincent told Newsline he was airlifted to the nearest trauma center for surgery on his femur and he is now recovering. He said Greg's attentiveness to the calling frequency that day may well have saved his life. Will quickly noted, however, that Vincent himself did some emergency preparedness too: the dashboard of his parked car held a map of his intended hiking route -- and another option to track him down. He said that both Vincent and Greg "did everything right." This is Ralph Squillace KK6ITB. (GREG DAVIDSON, KF6CNS; WILL RICHARDS, KJ6JJB; VINCENT LEVEQUE, KF6FLJ) Have you sent in your amateur radio haiku to Newsline's haiku challenge yet? It's as easy as writing a QSL card. Set your thoughts down using traditional haiku format - a three-line verse with five syllables in the first line, seven in the second and five in the third. Submit your work on our website at arnewsline.org - each week's winner gets a shout-out on our website, where everyone can find the winning haiku. NEWSCAST CLOSE With thanks to Amateur Radio Daily; Anne Landers, VK7BYL; ARRL; David Behar K7DB; Des Moines Register; 425 DX Bulletin; Greg Davidson, KF6CNS; HamSCI; Jocelyn Brault, KD8VRX; KCCI; Mike Gormley, WA8VEC; Norma O'Hare, VK2YL; QRZ.com; Radio Society of Great Britain; Radio World; shortwaveradio.de; Tech Central; Vincent LeVeque, KF6FLJ; Will Richards, KJ6JJB; Wireless Institute of Australia; YouTube; Zero Retries; 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 Jim Damron N8TMW in Charleston West Virginia saying 73. As always we thank you for listening. Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) is Copyright 2025. All rights reserved.