Subj : Amateur Radio Newsline (C)
To   : All
From : Daryl Stout
Date : Fri Oct 04 2019 10:53:03

IN PURSUIT OF A NEW GEOSTATIONARY SATELLITE

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Satellite enthusiasts are being encouraged to share ideas
for a new geostationary earth orbit satellite for hams - and a forum has
begun just for them, as we hear from Neil Rapp, WB9VPG.

NEIL: A new online discussion group has formed to explore progress in
getting a geostationary earth orbit amateur radio satellite for the
Americas. Participants track the progress of acquiring a transponder
that would serve IARU Region 2, which is North and South America. This
would give the region the kind of coverage that Europe and Africa
presently have with QO-100, the Qatari (KAT-TARRY) satellite launched
last November.

Bernard, KC9SGV, posted on the QRZ Forum, that hams are encouraged to
share images and links about their satellite ground station hardware,
as well as software, and to share ideas about having a similar satellite
for Region 2 hams to access.

The discussion group is G E O at groups dot io (GEO@groups.io)

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Neil Rapp WB9VPG.

(QRZ.COM)

**

AUSTRALIAN CONTESTERS GET 2-BY-1 CALL SIGNS APPROVED

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Avid contesters in Australia were just given the green
light to use two-by-one call signs. John Williams, VK4JJW, fills us in
on what's involved.

JOHN: The Australian Communications and Media Authority has granted VK
contest stations the right to use 2-by-1 call signs, according to the
Radio Amateur Society of Australia. The call signs will be valid for 12
months, and will be available for holders of Advanced licenses, who are
participating in contests.

RASA president Glenn, VK4DU, noted in a report on Southgate Amateur Radio
News, that a committee of experienced contesters from around Australia,
presented recommendations to the ACMA, which agreed to make call signs
available from VK-ZERO-A through VK-NINE-Zed, managed by the Australian
Maritime College, on behalf of the ACMA.

Glenn noted that holders of the 2-by-1 signs will be required to achieve
at least 750 contacts in a 12-month period, participating in at least
four contests. He said this would be considered proof of the holder's
commitment to being an active contester.

No date was announced for when the first call signs will be issued.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm John Williams, VK4JJW.

(SOUTHGATE)

**

SPECIAL CALL SIGN IN BELGIUM HONORS PRINCESS

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: There's a royal birthday celebration planned in Belgium,
and hams can have their call signs reflect the occasion. Ed Durrant,
DD5LP, has the details.

ED: Radio amateurs in Belgium are being permitted to use a special call
sign prefix between the 25th of October and the 25th of December, in
recognition of the birthday of that nation's Princess Elisabeth, who will
be 18 on October 25th. The "OR" prefix will be allowed as a replacement
of the standard "ON" for all individual radio amateurs and clubs, but
excluding holders of shortened (contest) call signs. The decision was
made by the Belgian Institute for Postal services and Telecommunications,
granting an earlier request from the Royale Union of Belgian Radio
Amateurs. The royale union has more than 2,800 members.
 
For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Ed Durrant, DD5LP.

(SOUTHGATE)
--- SBBSecho 3.10-Win32
 * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - tbolt.synchro.net (454:1/33)

.