Subj : Amateur Radio Newsline (B) To : All From : Daryl Stout Date : Thu Apr 08 2021 23:35:20 SILENT KEY: HEXBEAM INNOVATOR WALDI SP7IDX PAUL/ANCHOR: Hexbeam users and DXers alike are marking the loss of a popular and prominent figure. Jeremy Boot, G4NJH, tells us about Waldi, SP7IDX. JEREMY: An amateur radio operator considered one of the world's foremost makers of hexbeam antennas has become a Silent Key. The death of Waldi was reported on the DX-World.Net website. Reportedly recovering from COVID-19, he suffered a fatal heart attack on 4th April. His QTH in southeast Poland was also the company headquarters for his successful hexbeam antenna, used widely by Dx-peditioners around the world. He was a well-known Dxpeditioner, most particularly in the Islands on the Air awards scheme. For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jeremy Boot, G4NJH. (DX-WORLD.NET) ** JS8CALL DEVELOPER WINS SPECIAL RECOGNITION PAUL/ANCHOR: The developer of a popular new software that enhances weak- signal communication has received special recognition. Sel Embee, KB3TZD, tells us about him. SEL: The creator of the weak-signal digital communication conversational application known as JS8Call is this year's recipient of the Amateur Radio Software Award. The award, founded by Claus AE0S, is an international honor recognizing the spirit of innovation given freely to the amateur radio community. Congratulations to Jordan Sherer, KN4CRD, of Atlanta, Georgia, who created the application as an extension of the FT8 protocol. According to the awards website, the application was five years in the works and has added new vitality to digital communications, most particularly among members of ARES. It is available to users as a free download. On his QRZ.com page, Jordan describes the application as "a derivative of QSJT-X that focuses on long-form keyboard-to-keyboard style communication similar to what you'd see in Fldigi or FSQ." Jordan will receive his award certificate and a grant of $300. For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Sel Embee, KB3TZD. (RICH GORDON K0EB) ** RSGB ANNOUNCES 'FRIENDSHIP ON THE AIR' AWARD PAUL/ANCHOR: Most of us know that for a good ham radio experience you need good components. One of the most important components, however, is an intangible one: friendship. The Radio Society of Great Britain hopes to change that by making that friendship tangible and rewarding it. Here's Jeremy Boot, G4NJH, to explain. JEREMY: Making contact is at the heart of the latest award being offered by the Radio Society of Great Britain. The Friendship on the Air award has been launched to celebrate contacts that turn into friendships amongst hams. It's a noncompetitive award that encourages amateurs to dispense with the quick QSO and really connect with other radio operators. It's an outgrowth of the "Get on the Air to Care" campaign launched last year by the RSGB and the National Health Service to reduce social isolation during the global pandemic. The RSGB said that the award ties in with the theme of World Amateur Radio Day on Sunday the 18th of April: "Home but Never Alone." For details on how to qualify for the award, visit the link provided in this week's Newsline script at arnewsline.org For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jeremy Boot, G4NJH. [FOR PRINT ONLY: www.rsgb.org/friendship-award] (RSGB) ** NOMINATE A YOUNG HAM FOR NEWSLINE'S AWARD PAUL/ANCHOR: There's one more award worth mentioning here: The Bill Pasternak WA6ITF Memorial Amateur Radio Newsline Young Ham of the Year award. Just a reminder that the nomination period is open. Think of a young amateur whose commitment to community and whose enthusiasm for radio has inspired you and others and submit their name. Nominees must 18 or younger living in the United States, its possessions or any Canadian province. Downloadable nomination forms can be found on our website arnewsline.org ** BREAK HERE: Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including D-STAR Reflector 91 C in Melbourne, Australia on Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. Australian Eastern Time. --- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32 * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - tbolt.synchro.net (454:1/33) .