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Ärende: AR Newsline Report 2506 7 Nov 2025
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Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2506 for Friday, November 7th, 2025
  
Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2506 with a release date of Friday,
November 7th, 2025 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.

The following is a QST. The FCC considers a request for satellite delivery of
after-hour sunlight. Australia begins a sweeping review of their amateur band
plans -- and remembering a priest who pioneered wireless transmission at the
turn of the century. All this and more as Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number
2506 comes your way right now.

**

BILLBOARD CART

**
PROPOSED SATELLITE WOULD PROVIDE 'SUNLIGHT ON DEMAND'

PAUL/ANCHOR: Our top story sheds some light on a satellite company's plan to
shed some light - some real reflected light from the sun - back to the earth
after twilight to benefit solar power users. Kent Peterson KCØDGY gives us the
details.

KENT: The FCC's Space Bureau has been asked to approve a proposed launch next
April for a satellite in non-geostationary orbit that will deploy mirrors to
provide "sunlight on demand," according to the company's website.

Reflect Orbital, a startup company based in California, filed its application
this past summer for a license for what it hopes will be the first of 4,000
mirrored satellites that it wants to place in low-Earth orbit by 2030. The
April launch is being eyed for a demonstration satellite which will carry a
mirror that measures 18-by-18 meters, or 60-by-60 feet. Sunlight's reflection
by that envisioned constellation would extend daylight beyond twilight by as
much as four hours, increasing solar-power production to locations where
Reflect Global has customers.

The company says that its technology supports clean-energy generation - but
astronomers, biologists and other scientists have raised questions about the
prospect of light pollution on human and animal health and the ability to study
the skies effectively.

Astronomers in particular have said that lighting up dark skies would impede
their work, which uses sensitive cameras. According to published reports,
Reflect Orbital recently began working with astronomers to minimize the
mirrors' impact. on them. Meanwhile, scientists have observed how nocturnal
species' lives can be disrupted and perhaps imperiled by artificial light
during the night.

This past May, the US Air Force awarded the project a $1.25 million Small
Business Innovation Research contract to support its progress.

This is Kent Peterson KCØDGY.

(LOS ANGELES TIMES, SPACE.COM, AMERICAN ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY)

**
AUSTRALIAN BAND PLAN GETS SWEEPING REVIEW

PAUL/ANCHOR: The last major changes to Australia's national band plan were put
in place nearly a decade ago, prompting the Wireless Institute of Australia to
launch a sweeping review of everything, proposing changes across almost all
bands. Graham Kemp VK4BB explains this ambitious undertaking.

GRAHAM: Regulatory changes and shifts in on-air activity are two of the major
drivers behind a wide-ranging overhaul being considered for Australia's ham
bands. The WIA's Technical Advisory Committee opened a community consultation
on the 17th of October and is expecting hams who have made requests over the
years to formally weigh in on these proposals until the deadline on the 12th of
December.

The proposed changes accommodate growth in the use of new modes and new areas
of interest, particularly those involving the use of digital technology. They
include revising ATV segments based on widespread adoption of Digital ATV
modes; a review of repeater sub-bands considering the growth of digital voice
hotspots on 2m and 70cm. Band plan data for the Microwave bands between 24 and
134 GHz are also being reviewed.

On HF, the proposal will try to achieve better alignment of band plans,
including 630 metres and 160 metres.

A comprehensive list can be found at the link in the text version of this
week's newscast at arnewsline.org The WIA is seeking responses only from
licenced hams and clubs based in Australia. Revisions are expected to be
published by the end of the first quarter of next year.

This is Graham Kemp VK4BB.

[DO  NOT READ: https://tinyurl.com/489ecv44  ]

(WIA)

**
SILENT KEY: ORIGINAL SOTA ENTHUSIAST, ROBERT JOHN HANNAN, G4RQJ

PAUL/ANCHOR: He was there in the UK at the inception of Summits on the Air --
and now he is a Silent Key, leaving many SOTA ops around the world mourning his
death. We learn more about him from Jeremy Boot G4NJH.

JEREMY: Robert John Hannan, G4RQJ, was not just one of the best-known and
longest-serving members of the SOTA community but perhaps one of its best
loved. He was there in 2002 when SOTA was a dream realised by so many outdoor
enthusiasts who believed that combining radio with a bit of adventure would be
a peak experience in every sense of the word.

Rob became a Silent Key on the 25th of September in the Risedale St Cuthberts
Nursing Home. His death was reported recently on the SOTA Reflector.

Even as poor health began to hamper his activities, Rob's enthusiasm remained
strong. His final activation, made in 2018, was number 916. Even away from the
summits, his was a particularly familiar face at the annual Norbreck Rally in
Blackpool, where accompanied by his wife Audrey, he staffed the SOTA stand and
greeted visitors warmly.

The SOTA Reflector post noted that his cheerful and caring demeanor was as
present on the air as off the air.  The post said: [quote] "Whether answering
your call as a chaser or in summit-to-summit QSO, he always sounded as though
he was having the time of his life and was absolutely delighted to hear from
you." [endquote]

Rob was 84.

This is Jeremy Boot G4NJH.

(SOTA REFLECTOR, LITTLE & CAINE FUNERAL DIRECTORS)

**
SILENT KEY: QUICKSILVER RADIO PRODUCTS' JOHN BARTSCHERER, N1GNV

PAUL/ANCHOR: Here in the US, a well-regarded businessman who served the amateur
radio community - and was a friendly and familiar face at many hamfests - has
become a Silent Key. Jim Damron N8TMW shares his story.

JIM: Many customers in the amateur radio community knew him simply as John Bee,
 but John Bartscherer (Bart Shearer), N1GNV, was also known for his
Connecticut-based business, Quicksilver Radio Products, and his personable
demeanor. He was a visible presence at hamfests and activities with the Meriden
Amateur Radio Club. Before starting Quicksilver more than 20 years ago, John
had been the advertising manager for the ARRLs publication, QST. Licensed in
1989, John and his club also ran the Nutmeg Ham Fest, the New England ARRL
State Convention in Hartford. 

John became a Silent Key on Saturday the 25th of October while hospitalized.

His longtime friend and part-time employee, Peter Freiler (Fry-Lurr), W1AIR,
told Newsline that the business remains open while the family copes with its
grief. He said that Quicksilvers longterm plans were unclear. 

Peter said that John found great joy in meeting with fellow amateurs at Dayton
and at  New Englands regional NEAR-Fest, which he particularly loved attending.
He said that he often spent more time just chatting with visitors than trying
to sell them anything  -- which, given his friendly  nature, was not
surprising.

This is Jim Damron N8TMW.

(QRZ.COM, PETER FREILER, W1AIR)

**
2 RECEIVE YASME EXCELLENCE AWARD FOR WORK WITH YOUNG HAMS

PAUL/ANCHOR: Two amateurs involved in separate activities designed to develop
the next generation of hams have been selected to receive the Yasme Excellence
Award. We learn more about them and their work from Jen De Salvo W9TJX.

JEN: Two US amateurs have been recognized by the Yasme Foundation for their
ongoing contributions to young amateur radio operators in helping them develop
technical and operating skills.

Ed Engleman, KG8CX, is being honored for his work with the YACHT program, which
serves young amateurs. YACHT is an acronym for the Young Amateurs
Communications Ham Team, which connects young radio operators around the world
to form friendships and share their experiences.

Don Jones, K6ZO has been recognized for his ongoing work training and
supporting young operators in rural Malawi. One of the teenage operators from
Dons training sessions was recently added to the team of DXpeditioners who are
going to Andaman and Nicobar islands in the Bay of Bengal next year.

 Both hams will receive the Yasme Excellence Award, which was established in
2008 by the foundation. The announcement was made on the 30th of October.

In the same announcement, the foundations board of directors said that Yasme
has also made a grant to support the RM Noise project, which employs artificial
intelligence to remove noise from SSB and CW reception.

This is Jen DeSalvo W9TJX.

(YASME FOUNDATION)

**

BREAK HERE:  Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio
Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the linked
N6USO and K6TEM repeaters in Southern California on Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. local
time.

**
ISS MARKS 25 YEARS with SSTV TRANSMISSIONS

PAUL/ANCHOR: Get ready for a celebration in the sky: Amateur Radio on the
International Space Station is marking its 25th year by transmitting 12
different images on SSTV from November 12th through to the 20th. The images,
which will honor Scouting, are to be sent on 145.800 MHz every two minutes.
There will be a scheduled interruption on the 16th of November for an
educational contact with Azerbaijan.

(AMATEUR RADIO DAILY)

**

MOUNTAIN RADIO CHALLENGE TESTS SKILLS, PROPAGATION

PAUL/ANCHOR: In Australia, CB radio enthusiasts and hams are taking to the
mountains for an annual challenge, as Jason Daniels VK2LAW tells us.

JASON: What started as an experiment between two teenagers in Australia testing
the range of their walkie-talkies later grew into a test of CB radios' range in
young drivers' cars. The activity, which began formally in 1987, is known as
the Mountain Radio Challenge and it is a test of what a radio operator can
accomplish using only line-of-sight communications.

This year's challenge is taking place on Saturday the 29th of November. Instead
of school kids on beaches, this growing challenge attracts CB radio operators
on 27 MHz and amateur radio operators on the ham frequencies, many of whom are
also activating SOTA summits.

Tony Lock, the founder and event director, told Newsline in an email that the
very challenge that began long ago between him and a schoolmate has since
expanded to several groups on hills within his home state of Victoria and has
expanded to Tasmania, South Australia and New South Wales.

The objective is to transmit a predetermined relay message in one direction,
from one operator to the next, and a responding message back in the reverse
direction.

According to the event website, although ham radio operators will not be
participating in the message relay itself, their presence on the mountains is
still useful because the hams can help with operator coordination and, of
course, if there is a need for emergency communications.

For details about participating, see the link the text version of this week's
newscast at arnewsline.org 

[DO NOT READ:    https://mountainradiochallenge.weebly.com/  ]

This is Jason Daniels VK2LAW.

(MOUNTAIN RADIO CHALLENGE WEBSITE, TONY LOCK)

**

SILENT KEY'S GIFT ENDOWS LIBRARY DEAN CHAIR AT ALMA MATER

PAUL/ANCHOR: The estate of a Silent Key in the US has endowed the creation of
high-ranking position at his alma mater in the state of Iowa. We learn more
about him from Andy Morrison K9AWM.

ANDY: A native of Iowa, Gary Swenson, KA2HAN, served in the US Army for 30
years before retiring as a colonel in 2005. Before entering the military, he
had earned his master's and doctoral degrees in economics from Iowa State
University. 

His lifelong love of learning and reading carried through into his amateur
radio career -- and now prominently into his legacy. Gary became a Silent Key
this past June unexpectedly when he had a heart attack at the age of 75. His
estate is funding the establishment of a Dean of Library Services on the
university campus. The library is a cornerstone of the university, with more
than 2.3 million physical items in its collections and another 2 million
e-books as well as access to online publications in various disciplines.
According to the university website, more than 1.5 million downloads of the
campus' scholarship and research projects are completed each year from its
digital repository 

The library services' inaugural dean, Hilary Seo, said the gift would [quote]
"benefit future generations of students well into our next century of service."
[endquote] That educational mission is consistent with much of what Gary did
after retiring from the military: he tutored at a community action center near
his home in the state of Virginia and was active with the Mount Vernon Amateur
Radio Club.

This is Andy Morrison K9AWM.

(THE STORM LAKE TIMES-PILOT, IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY)

**


WORLD OF DX

Arnold, DK1VK will be active as OZØROM  from Romo Island, IOTA Number EU-
125, on the 8th through to the 14th of November and again on the 21st through
to the 28th of November. He will also be on the air from the 16th through to
the 19th of November as LA/DK1VK from Utsira Island, IOTA Number EU-055. During
his activations from both locations he will be using SSB on 80-10 metres and
possibly 160m.

Listen for Aldir, PY1SAD, using the callsign 8R1TM from Guyana until the 7th of
December. He is using CW, SSB and digital modes on 160-6 metres.

The 5J4W DXpedition to Playa Blanca Island will be on the air starting on the
12th of November. The island is IOTA number SA-084. Be listening for them on
CW, SSB and the digital modes on 80-10 metres until either the 16th or 17th of
November.

For all contacts listed in World of DX, please see QRZ.com for QSL details,
frequencies or other operating information.

(425 DX BULLETIN)

**
KICKER: PRIEST'S OTHER FAITH WAS IN RADIO WAVES

PAUL/ANCHOR: We end our report this week by going back in time to the turn of
the century when a priest from Europe came to the US where he became an early
pioneer of wireless communication. Travis Lisk N3ILS introduces us to him.

TRAVIS: Father Jozef Murgas, the scientist, painter and priest born in what is
now known as Slovakia, was a man of enduring curiosity and deep faith. Ordained
in 1888, he served the church in what was then the Kingdom of Hungary until he
answered a call to service in the United States. In 1896, he arrived in the
mining community of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, which has a strong Slovak
population.

The priest, whose many studies included astronomy, botany and
electrotechnology, held another cherished faith -- a strong belief in his
experiments in radiotelegraphy. Some historians say that his development of a
wireless transmission method known as "The Tone Method," which he patented,
paved the way for the development of Morse Code. In 1905 he publicly tested it,
successfully sending signals between towers in Wilkes-Barre and Scranton, about
20 miles, or 32 kilometers, away.

That historic transmission will be recreated on the 15th of November by the
Murgas Amateur Radio Club K3YTL at King's College and amateur radio station
W3USR at the University of Scranton. The event, organized in partnership with
the Slovak Heritage Society of Northeastern Pennsylvania, will be live streamed
on YouTube and Facebook and will be available for viewing later on the club's
YouTube Page.

The day will also mark the 50th anniversary of the club that honored the
pioneering priest by adopting his name as their own.

This is Travis Lisk N3ILS.


PAUL/ANCHOR: Find links to the 1 p.m. live stream in the text version of this
week's newscast at arnewsline.org 

[YouTube stream:  
https://www.youtube.com/live/TelTcuvqsLo?si=HTw0yzriKZ7HlwCS]

[Facebook Stream:   https://www.facebook.com/share/17uCDnDpAq/]


(MURGAS AMATEUR RADIO CLUB, SLOVAK HERITAGE SOCIETY)

**
If you haven't sent in your ham radio haiku yet, what's been stopping you?
Visit our website at arnewsline.org and as you compose your ode to your
favorite online activity, we will help you use the correct number of syllables
to make an authentic haiku. Submit your work and then sit back and wait to hear
whether you are the winner of this week's challenge. The winner gets a
shout-out on our website, where everyone can find the winning haiku.

NEWSCAST CLOSE

With thanks to Amateur News Daily; American Astronomical Society; AMSAT News
Service; Bob Josuweit, WA3PZO; David Behar; 425DX Bulletin; Iowa State
University; Little & Caine Funeral Directors; Los Angeles Times; Mountain Radio
Challenge; Murgas Amateur Radio Club; Peter Freiler, W1AIR; QRZ.com;
shortwaveradio.de; Slovak Heritage Society; SOTA Reflector; Space.com; Storm
Lake Times-Pilot; Wireless Institute of Australia; Yasme Foundation; YouTube;
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 Paul Braun WD9GCO in Valparaiso Indiana saying 73. As
always we thank you for listening. Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) is Copyright
2025. Amateur Radio Newsline retains ownership of its material even when
retransmitted elsewhere. All rights are reserved.

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