Subj : Amateur Radio Newsline (B) To : All From : Daryl Stout Date : Fri Jan 06 2023 06:36:02 AMSAT'S ANNUAL CW ACTIVITY DAY HONORS A PIONEER PAUL/ANCHOR: Another popular CW activity has just been given a new name. We have those details from Neil Rapp, WB9VPG. NEIL: What began as AMSAT Straight Key Night eventually became AMSAT's CW Activity Day, an event devoted to amateurs who enjoy CW operating via linear satellites. The event was held this year on January 1st - but even while it was still in the planning stages, it underwent yet another name change: This year it became the W2RS Memorial AMSAT CW Activity Day. The new name honors satellite pioneer Ray Soifer, W2RS, who became a Silent Key in March 2022 at the age of 79. The CW activity day had been his project and he organized the New Year's Day event for AMSAT with great enthusiasm. He encouraged hams to make good use of their straight keys and bugs and report their progress on the AMSAT Bulletin Board mailing list. As always, this activity is held at the same time the ARRL holds its own Straight Key Night. For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Neil Rapp, WB9VPG. (AMSAT) ** OHIO HAMS EXEMPT FROM DISTRACTED-DRIVER LAW PAUL/ANCHOR: Amateur radio operators are getting a break in Ohio under a new law restricting the use of handheld electronic devices by drivers. Jack Parker, W8ISH, has those details. JACK: Under a new law taking effect in Ohio, if you are holding a cellphone or similar device in your hands while operating a motor vehicle, that is sufficient reason for you to be stopped by the police: It is considered a primary offense. Hams, however, needn't worry. The distracted-driving law exempts radio amateurs as well as utility workers and first-responders, such as police. Penalties are increasing for those drivers found to be engaged in so- called distracted driving but with the new law, the next six months will provide a grace period. Drivers who are not eligible for the exemption will only be issued warnings while the state launches a public-education campaign about the change in enforcement. With this law, Ohio joins the ranks of other states where exemptions were granted for amateur radio use while driving, including Indiana, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Washington state. This is Jack Parker, W8ISH. (SPRINGFIELD NEWS-SUN) ** NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR 'YOUNG HAM LENDS A HAND' CONTEST PAUL/ANCHOR: If you know a young amateur radio operator who's been especially generous in giving time to assist an older person, a military veteran or the community-at-large, you might know a candidate for the Radio Club of America's "Young Ham Lends a Hand" award. Candidates may also be youth involved in recruiting others to get their licenses. Carole Perry, WB2MGP, is accepting nominations until April 1st for the award, which will be presented, along with a $100 stipend, at the Youth Forum during Dayton Hamvention. Email your nominee's name, callsign, age, address and phone number to her at wb2mpg@gmail.com. Be sure to include your reasons for the nomination. (RADIO CLUB OF AMERICA) ** NEW LEADERSHIP AT AMPLITUDE MODULATION INTERNATIONAL PAUL/ANCHOR: AM enthusiasts who belong to Amplitude Modulation International have welcomed a new leader. Andy Morrison, K9AWM, tells us about him. ANDY: The torch has been passed at Amplitude Modulation International: John McGrath, N9AMI, has become executive director, succeeding Dale Gagnon, KW1I, (K W One Eye). In 1993, Dale was one of the group's founders who announced AMI's formation during Dayton Hamvention. The founders created a group that would both celebrate and advocate for AM, the original voice mode on the amateur bands. According to the AMI website, members are encouraged to participate in all kinds of activity within the group's 10 regions and to be active in annual operating events and contests. AMI also monitors all FCC and ARRL activity that could have an impact on operators using AM. Writing on the recently updated website, Dale tells members that there are some new changes in the works. An online forum has been added to the website to give amateurs a greater voice in the issues they care about. He writes that the forum is open to anyone interested in AM operation and not limited to AMI membership only. He will also be introducing a new program called AMI On Ten and intends to bring back the Thanksgiving Jamboree. Dale is encouraging visitors to the website. You can visit AM International at aminternational dot club (aminternational.club) This is Andy Morrison, K9AWM. (QRZ FORUMS, AM INTERNATIONAL) --- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32 * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (954:895/7) .