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Subj: Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2479 for Friday, May 2nd, 2025
Path: JH4XSY<N3HYM<VE3CGR<VE2PKT<PY2BIL<PY2BIL
Sent: 250501/1854 @:PY2BIL.SP.BRA.SOAM Sally 7.4.0  $:100879PY2BIL
From: PY2BIL@PY2BIL.SP.BRA.SOAM

Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2479 for Friday, May 2nd, 2025
  
Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2479 with a release date of Friday, May 2nd, 2025 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1

The following is a QST. A high-flying antenna will help study the world's tree population. A ham will be at the 
helm of Colorado's newest low-power FM radio station -- and hams in Brazil will gain CB privileges and lose 
Morse Code requirements. All this and more as Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2479 comes your way right 
now.

** 

BILLBOARD CART

**
HIGH-FLYING ANTENNA TO HELP STUDY WORLD'S FORESTS

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Our top story takes us once again to space. If you want to have as many quality QSOs as 
possible, you want to deploy the best antenna possible. That's why a 40-foot extendable antenna was launched 
into space aboard a European Space Agency satellite on Tuesday, April 29th from French Guiana. Its goal is 
communication - with more than 1.5 trillion trees around the world. Graham Kemp VK4BB has that story.

GRAHAM: The Biomass probe that has been put into space by ESA is looking to log trees - but it's not the kind 
of logging commonly associated with forests. During the next five years, this antenna will be using P-band 
radar transmissions to collect data on how much carbon is stored in trees on a number of continents -- and thus 
gauge climate change as a result of deforestation According to a report by the BBC, this kind of satellite, 
with an antenna that is 12m in diameter, is he first of its kind for such a mission. The band's relatively long 
wavelength is an asset because it permits the signals to see deeply inside forests in a manner scientists have 
compared to how a CT-scan operates..

The idea was proposed by the National Centre for Earth Observation whose director, John Remedios, told the BBC 
that the goal is to [quote] "interrogate these forests." [endquote]

This is Graham Kemp VK4BB.

(BBC, WASHINGTON POST, SMITHSONIAN)

**
BRAZIL'S HAMS GAIN CB PRIVILEGES, LOSE CW REQUIREMENT

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Brazils telecommunications regulator, ANATEL, has two big changes planned for the nations 
hams. Jim Meachen ZL2BHF tells us whats in the works.

JIM: The Brazilian regulator will no longer require Morse Code for amateur licences under changes that have 
been under consideration since 2020. The regulator will update content in its exams for its three licence 
classes. This is one of several changes contained in a resolution released on April 28th by ANATEL. The 
resolution also grants hams the ability to operate on Citizens Band 11-metre frequencies. They must identify 
with their callsigns and are limited to 10 watts of power in AM and 25 watts of power in SSB. They must also 
stay within authorized channels.

The regulator expects to move ahead with these changes after a six-month period in which supplementary 
regulations will also be issued.

This is Jim Meachen ZL2BHF.

(ANATEL, GUILLERMO CRIMERIUS, PY2BIL)

**

AMATEUR LEADS GROUP BEHIND NEW LPFM RADIO STATION

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: The FCC has granted a low-power FM license to a group of Colorado radio enthusiasts - some of 
whom are also hams. Kent Peterson KCDGY tells us what's in store.

KENT: If you want to hear a limited sampling of what will soon be broadcast on Colorado's newest low-power FM 
radio station, you can tune in online for now. In early April, the FCC gave a green light to the Colorado 
Society of Wireless and Broadcast Engineering, a collective that described itself to the FCC as local 
university students, amateur radio operators and engineers. The group has proposed a 100-watt station on 107.1-
FM. The website that previews some of the programming belongs to the society's founder, Vlad Fomitchev, KX4TH.

The station's December 2023 application was approved by the FCC after rejecting claims from the license-holder 
of a nearby translator station that the minimum separation distance between the translator and the proposed 
low-power FM station was not met.

According to a report on the Radio World website, the low-power station is designed to benefit its participants 
as well as its listeners by providing training in audio, computer, electrical and mechanical engineering. The 
group has also said that it hopes to present community programming, collaborative programming from the nearby 
university and will experiment with open-source digital HD Radio.

If you want to hear a preview of what will eventually be on the air, visit the link in the text version of this 
week's newscast at arnewsline.org

This is Kent Peterson KCDGY.

[DO NOT READ: vladfm.fomitchev.net/  ]

(RADIO WORLD, FCC)

**
FCC SAYS FLORIDA LPFM STATION EXCEEDED LEGAL LIMITS

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Meanwhile, in Florida, a low-power FM station has been issued a notice of violation from the 
FCC for not being so low-power after all. Jack Parker W8ISH has those details.

JACK: Florida low-power FM station WZPP has been charged with boosting its licensed 100-watt signal on 96.1 FM 
to as high as 1,022 watts. According to an FCC notice of violation made public in late April, the station, 
known as the "Voice of the Caribbean," was operating at 811 percent of its authorized power when field agents 
from the enforcement bureau measured its signal strength in May of 2024. The station has been on the air since 
2014 featuring sports, news, music and commentary that serves the Caribbean-American community.

The noncommercial station, which is operated by the Broward Jewish Alliance, has been told to respond to the 
FCC within 20 days of the notice's release date.

This is Jack Parker W8ISH.

(FCC, INSIDE RADIO)

**
TURNING 100, BELL LABS PREPS FOR RELOCATION

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: In the US, Bell Labs, which has a long history making of bold and notable moves in technology, 
is marking its 100th anniversary by preparing for another bold move - this time, to a new headquarters. Sel 
Embee K B 3 T Zed D has that story.

SEL:  As it turns 100, Nokia Bell Labs is turning elsewhere to continue its important research in the field of 
technology and science The company announced that within the next two years it will relocate to a smaller but 
more modern facility in New Brunswick, New Jersey and out of the labs' longtime home in Murray Hill, New 
Jersey.

Over the years, Bell's scientists have been credited with developing the transistor, making advances in radio 
astronomy and being in the vanguard to usher in the digital age. The company has been the recipient of numerous 
Turing Awards and Nobel prizes. Its core business continues to be mobile and optical networks and network-
system support. One of its most recent innovations was the development of circuit boards printed on glass. 
These are for use in beam-steering antennas to get less signal loss in point-to-point fixed wireless. This is 
considered an important development as wireless communications moves increasingly toward 6G. 

This is Sel Embee KB3TZD.

(IEEE SPECTRUM)

**
SILENT KEY: CHARLES KITCHIN, N1TEV, WRITER, "GURU" OF THE RE-GEN RECEIVER

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: A prolific and well-known author whose specialty was regenerative receivers, or re-gens, has 
become a Silent Key. We hear about him from Andy Morrison K9AWM.

ANDY: Charles Kitchin, N1TEV, was a tinkerer and builder from an early age, when his enthusiasm for radio often 
split his attention between shortwave and amateur radio. A widely published author of technical articles and 
books, he earned the nickname among readers and followers as the guru of Re-Gen radios.

Charles became a Silent Key on March 17th. No cause of death was listed in his online obituary.

As with many hams, Charles combined his passion with his profession. After being discharged from the US Air 
Force he worked as a radio engineer at a classical music radio station WCRB and would also serve as recording 
engineer for the live broadcasts of the Boston Sympathy Orchestra at Tanglewood in Massachusetts and for other 
music ensembles. He later became a hardware applications engineer at Analog Devices Semiconductor Division in 
Massachusetts.

He was perhaps most widely known as the popular and prolific contributor to QST magazine and other publications 
sharing designs of his own creation.

Charles was 77.

This is Andy Morrison K9AWM.

(QRZ. LEGACY.COM)

**

BREAK HERE:  Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin 
stations around the world, including the DX2AAA repeater of the Association of Active Amateurs International in 
the Philippines on Saturdays at 7 p.m. local time.

**
NOMINATE OUR NEXT YOUNG HAM OF THE YEAR

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Remember that it is time to think of any promising young amateurs you know as potential 
candidates for the Bill Pasternak Memorial Young Ham of the Year Award. 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.

**

THREE BANDS OK'D FOR ITALIAN AMATEUR EXPERIMENTATION

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: The Italian regulator has given amateurs access to new bands, Allowing for experimentation and 
exploration. We have those details from Jeremy Boot G4NJH.

JEREMY: Hams in Italy have been granted permission for experimental activity on three radio bands for the 
remainder of the year. The Italian regulator ARI made the announcement on the 18th of April that it was giving 
an eight-month extension to the previous period which ran from late August 2024 until the end of this past 
December.

Italian amateurs may operate with a maximum of 10 watts on 40.660 MHz to 40.700 MHz, 8 metres, the same range 
used for industrial, scientific and medical purposes. This permission coincides with the peak of the Sporadic E 
season.

 Similar use was also granted for 70 to 70.400 MHz, 4 metres, and 1.810 to 1.830 MHz. The 8m band is expected 
to be the busiest of the three.

This is Jeremy Boot G4NJH.

(BBC, EI7GL BLOG)

**
BBC RECHARTING COURSE BEFORE CHARTER EXPIRATION

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: This has been a year for introspection in the world of communication: the IARU is examining 
whether to restructure. In the US, the FCC is evaluating the full scope of its rules and regulations -- and in 
the UK, the BBC is looking at ways to rechart its course. Jeremy Boot G4NJH tells us what that means.

JEREMY: With its charter set to expire in 2027, the BBC is using this year and next to examine its relationship 
with audiences across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. BBC account holders have begun receiving 
questionnaires to complete online to let the broadcaster know how they see its future. Tim Davie, BBC director 
general, said that the questionnaire, which takes about 10 minutes to complete, is the first of the BBC's two-
part research process, to include later audience polling, and the results will contribute towards the BBC's 
Charter Review process.

The BBC says in its written introduction to the questionnaire: [quote] The BBC belongs to all of us. Thats 
why it matters that we understand what you want the BBC to offer you and your family, and the UK overall." 
[endquote]

It is planned to publish the findings from the questionnaire later this year.

This is Jeremy Boot G4NJH.

(BBC)

**

WORLD OF DX

In the World of DX, the North West Group ARC, MNNWG, is will be using the special-event callsign GB0AEL 
between the 5th and the 31st of May to commemorate the anniversary of Amelia Earhart's transatlantic flight 
which she accomplished nonstop and solo in 1932. Her trip took her from Newfoundland to Londonderry in Northern 
Ireland. QSL via MIHOZ.

Harald, DF2WO and Warren, KN6ZZI, are using the callsigns D44TWO and D44ZZI, respectively, from Santiago 
Island, IOTA number AF-5, in Cape Verde, from the 4th through to the 26th of May. Harald will be using 
primarily CW and FT4 and Warren will be using primarily SSB and FT8. They will also be looking to make QSOs via 
the QO-1 satellite. QSL to both via MOXOs OQRS.

Many Russian stations will be using the special prefix RP8 until the 9th of May to mark the 8th anniversary 
of the end of the Second World War. See QRZ.com for details.

Special callsign DMLIMES is on the air until the 1st of July to mark UNESCO World Heritage Day. That occasion 
is observed on June 1st. The callsign DM3LIMES will join this station on the air and operate from the 31st of 
May through to the 1st of June. The callsign was chosen in recognition of the limes, which bordered the Roman 
Empire at its greatest point. See QRZ.com for QSL details.

To mark the Centenary of the IARU, Spanish amateurs are on the air using callsigns that replace their customary 
prefix with a special prefix until the 15th of May. EA stations can use AO-numeral-100 followed by their 
suffix, EB stations can use AN-numeral-1 followed by their suffix, and EC stations can use AM-numeral-1 
followed by their suffix. The numeral preceding the one hundred signifies their call area. 

(425 DX BULLETIN)

**
KICKER: THIS ANTENNA'S ELEMENTS HAVE AN ELEMENT OF HISTORY

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: How much would you be willing to pay for an antenna? Actually, how much would you be willing to 
pay for PART of an antenna? In our final story this week, we welcome the newest Newsline family member, Jen de 
Salvo, W9TXJ, who explores that very question.

JEN: There are just 14 remaining elements from the original 32-element Alford Antenna that once worked its 
magic atop New York Citys Empire State building. When the antenna was decommissioned in 2019, some of the 
elements were offered - free for the taking - to interested parties. Now, however, the remaining elements are 
being put back to work for a cause. The Society of Broadcast Engineers NYC chapter is auctioning them off to 
raise money for the general scholarship fund of the societys Ennes Educational Foundation Trust.

This is not your average vertical antenna. It is, in a way, the King Kong of antennas even though the Alford 
didnt yet exist when the famous giant gorilla romanced the terrified actress Fay Wray in the classic 1933 
film. This became the first master antenna system in the US when it was installed in 1965. At one time, as many 
as 16 FM stations used it, earning it the distinction of being the worlds largest combined FM station system. 
The antenna was relegated to auxiliary status in 1990 and by 2017, it was no longer needed.

Bidding, which ended on April 30th, started at ABFSL2HM$00 per element. It remains to be seen whether, like King Kong, 
those bids ascended to impressive heights. Winners will be asked to take delivery in New Jersey - at ground-
floor level.

This is Jen de Salvo, W9TXJ.

(RADIO WORLD)

**
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 News Daily; ANATEL, APRS Foundation; ARRL; BBC; David Behar K7DB; EI7GL Blog; FCC; 
Guillermo Crimerius, PY2BIL; Inside Radio; JARL; Legacy.com; QRZ.com; Radio Society of Great Britain; Radio 
World; shortwaveradio.de; 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 Stephen Kinford N8WB in Wadsworth Ohio 
saying 73. As always we thank you for listening. Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) is Copyright 2025. All rights 
reserved..

73 de Bill, PY2BIL
PY2BIL@PY2BIL.SP.BRA.SOAM

+--------------------------------------------------------------------------+
BBS: PY2BIL - Timed 01-May-2025 18:54 E. South America Standard Time





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