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Ärende: ARNewsline Report 2530 - Apr 24 2026
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Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2530 for Friday, April 24th, 2026
 
Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2530 with a release date of Friday, April
24th, 2026 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.

The following is a QST. The FCC grants a satellite constellation company the
ability to provide cell phone service from space. A popular antenna maker
returns to the ham radio market -- and New Zealand amateurs prepare to mark the
centennial of their national organization. All this and more as Amateur Radio
Newsline Report Number 2530 comes your way right now.

**
BILLBOARD CART

**
BREAKING NEWS: FCC GRANTS FREQUENCIES' USE FOR SATELLITE SERVICE 

JIM/ANCHOR; We begin this week with breaking news. As Newsline prepared to go
to production, the US Federal Communications Commission announced that it had
authorized AST SpaceMobiles full, 248-satellite constellation to use requested
parts of the radio spectrum, including those that had drawn objections from the
amateur radio community.

The agencys move will permit AST to fulfill its goal of providing services to
consumers in so-called dead zones, regions without terrestrial networks,
especially for emergency services. The successful application on behalf of the
low-Earth orbit satellite system was granted on the 21st of April with
conditions. The grant for the use of 698 to 960 MHz includes permission to make
use of 430 to 440 MHz for emergency control and tracking of the satellites - a
move that amateur radio operators feared would cause interference with hams
operations.

The FCC said that AST emergency telemetry use will be limited to the 430.5MHz,
432.3MHz, 434.1MHz, 435.9MHz, and 439.5MHz frequencies for a duration of less
than 24 hours. The FCC has said in the past that interference with ham radio
was unlikely.

(FCC, PC MAGAZINE AUSTRALIA)

**
STEPPIR ANNOUNCES RETURN TO  AMATEUR RADIO MARKET

JIM/ANCHOR: A leading US antenna manufacturer is coming back to the ham radio
marketplace following its departure last summer. Travis Lisk N3ILS picks up the
story from here.

TRAVIS: SteppIR, which announced last summer that it was halting production of
its popular antennas for the amateur radio market, is returning to the ham
radio business.

A recent statement on the website of the Washington State company said that
although SteppIR had decided last year to focus on commercial sales, recent
favorable developments in that sector are permitting the company to resume
supplying hams with antenna kits, parts and accessories as before. The ham
radio market is to be served only by online sales.

SteppIR said that the commercial side of its business may lead to the
introduction of new products for amateur radio. Its statement acknowledged that
its earlier decision was made [quote] "in search of more stable long-term
income sources" [endquote] but said that SteppIR never gave up the hope that it
would go back to serving amateur radio operators in some way.

This is Travis Lisk N3ILS.

(STEPPIR, QRZ.COM, AMATEUR RADIO DAILY, STEVE STROH N8GNJ)

**
FREQUENCIES IDENTIFIED FOR EXPANDING 6G ON 2.7 GHz BAND

JIM/ANCHOR:  Plans are moving ahead for 6G services to expand on the 2.7 GHz
band, as we learn from Kent Peterson KCØDGY.

KENT: The promise of creating space for 6G communications on the 2.7 GHz band
has moved closer to reality in the US, following the band's successful
technical review by the National Telecommunications and Information
Administration, part of the US Department of Commerce.

The NTIA had been mandated to find room for full-power commercial licensed use
on the band, which already has a pair of primary users - the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration and the Federal Aviation Administraction. The
NTIA issued a press release stating that it is assisting both agencies to make
sure that radar systems, weather monitoring and aviation safety technology will
not be vulnerable to interference.

Arielle Roth, the NTIA administrator, said [quote] "This milestone brings us
one step closer to ensuring the American people realize the full benefit of
this spectrum as quickly as possible." [endquote]

A report last year by the Global System for Mobile Communications Association
cautioned that communication capacity will be challenged by 2030 unless more
midband is identified for 6G use.

This is Kent Peterson KCØDGY.

(NATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS & INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION, TELECOMPETITOR)

**
MODERN RADIOS TO LIGHT UP BESIDE HISTORIC MILLS

JIM/ANCHOR:  The Nunsfield House Amateur Radio Group wants everyone to know
that where there's a mill.....there's a way. So get ready to activate some of
these historic sites - or chase operators who are there. Dave Lee M7TLB tells
us how.

DAVE: Windmills. Watermills. Tidal Mills. Even Horse Mills.
Historic sites like these, scattered throughout the UK, are celebrated annually
in early May by the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings. In 1996,
the former Denby Dale Radio Society joined that effort by creating the Mills on
the Air special event which, this year, takes place on Saturday the 9th of May
and Sunday the 10th of May.

The Nunsfield House Amateur Radio Group, who organise this event now, stress
that this not a contest but a recognition of the historical importance of each
of these sites. Hams wishing to call CQ from any of these sites need to
register on the event website and provide full information in the online form.
Operators must, of course, secure permission from each of the mills to operate
there.

Of course, there will be awards - and shortwave listeners are encouraged to
participate as well. This year, the organisers are asking that all award
applicants consider making a donation to their local historic mill or directly
to the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings.

For details about registering or to find out more about logging contacts, visit
nharg.org.uk
Meanwhile, the Society has been collecting stories from volunteers, owners or
even amateur historians about the various mills in the UK, Ireland or Europe
and how they evolved. The stories will be published in a book. Submission
deadline is the 1st of May, Visit the society website at spab.org.uk for
information on how to contribute.

This is Dave Lee M7TLB.

(SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF ANCIENT BUILDINGS, NUNSFIELD HOUSE AMATEUR RADIO
GROUP)

**
ARRL HONORS OFFICER FOR SERVICE TO PENNSYLVANIA CLUB

JIM/ANCHOR: Congratulations to Bill Power KB3WP who was honored recently by the
ARRL for his long service to the Two Rivers Amateur Radio Club in Pennsylvania.
Bill, who has been secretary for the past three years, had been nominated for
the Gilbert Crossley Award for Exemplary Club Leadership by club president Jim
Bricker, N3JHB. Jim told Newsline that Bill's history of handling club
correspondence as well as members' questions, with kindness and accuracy and
his willingness to help whenever needed inspired him to nominate him for the
honor. The presentation was made by ARRL Western Pennsylvania Manager, Joe
Shupienis W3BC.

(JIM BRICKER, N3JHB)

**
ONE HUNDRED REASONS TO ATTEND NEW ZEALAND CONVENTION

JIM D/ANCHOR: There are 100 reasons why hams in New Zealand are planning to
attend this year's conference of the New Zealand Association of Radio
Transmitters. One hundred reasons - one for each year the association has
served radio operators. Jim Meachen ZL2BHF explains why this as much a
celebration as a conference.

JIM M: An annual conference comes along  every year but a centennial conference
only comes along every 100 years - once in a lifetime. The New Zealand
Association of Radio Transmitters will be honouring its past and looking toward
its future on the 30th and 31st of May in Auckland as guests gather for the
milestone centennial conference.

The ham radio spirit of experimentation will acknowledge the earliest
adventures in wireless and will explore the way today's hams test our advanced
digital technologies. 

Presentations will tell NZART's story from its earliest origins. NZART members
who pay for a full registration to the conference will receive a free copy of
an illustrated book that tells the association's history. Other copies will
also be available to purchase.

Registration has opened and visitors who book their accommodations before the
26th of April will be eligible for discounted rates.

Details are available from the link that appears in the text version of this
week's newscast at arnewsline.org

This is Jim Meachen ZL2BHF.

[DO NOT READ: https://nzart100conference.nzart.org.nz/  ]

(NZART)

BREAK HERE: Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio
Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the WR2ABA
repeater system of the Larkfield Amateur Radio Club in Huntington, New York, on
Tuesdays at 8 p.m. local time.
**

SILENT KEY: FORMER ARI PRESIDENT GRAZIANO SARTORI, IØSSH

JIM/ANCHOR: A longtime radio amateur is being remembered for his leadership in
the national amateur radio society of Italy and a variety of other significant
contributions to ham radio in that nation. Jason Daniels VK2LAW tells us about
him.

JASON: Graziano Sartori, IØSSH, served the ARI, Italy's national ham radio
society, first as vice president of the Rome section and later, as the national
president. He is credited with developing the first database of Italy's amateur
radio callsigns. Joining in a long-running campaign with international amateur
radio organisations, Graziano was a vocal proponent for having Morse Code
listed as an Intangible Cultural Heritage element with UNESCO.

Graziano died on the 8th of April. A tribute to him on the ARI website
described him as a leader whose actions and personal interest in his fellow
hams made him effective in his various roles throughout his long association
with the organisation.

He was 89.

This is Jason Daniels VK2LAW.

(ARI, QRZ.COM)

**
NOMINATE NEWSLINE'S NEXT YOUNG HAM OF THE YEAR

JIM/ANCHOR One day, a promising young ham is going to make headlines for his or
her contributions to amateur radio. It all begins here, with the Amateur Radio
Newsline Bill Pasternak WA6ITF Memorial Young Ham of the Year award. So don't
forget: You only have until the 31st of May to tell us about a promising young
ham who is already making a difference in a big way. Nominees must be licensed
hams who are 18 years of age or younger and they must reside in the continental
United States.

Visit our website  arnewsline-dot-org and find the nomination form under the
awards tab. Submit the documentation that tells us how your nominee has played
an important role, not just in the community of fellow amateurs but in the
community at large. 

**
ARDC NEEDS TECHNICAL WRITER, SOFTWARE DEVELOPER

JIM/ANCHOR: Amateur Radio Digital Communications is looking to fill two
part-time contract positions to support its ongoing work and software
development. Daniel Garcia W2DIY tells us more about the jobs.

DANIEL: ARDC has remote positions open for a software developer and a technical
writer who are experienced professionals familiar with Free and Open Source
projects. Both jobs are open to active amateur radio operators.

The software developer is expected to be involved in bug fixes, code review and
deployment and be capable ot writing documentation that is developer focused.
JavaScript, CSS, HTML, MySQL, PHP and Linux fluency is required. Candidates
must have had prior experience with either ARDC or 44Net.

The technical writer must be capable of writing for a public audience on topics
relating to digital communications and amateur radio. A record of previously
published articles is considered a plus.

Both positions report to ARDC's Technical Director.

For more details about requirements for these jobs, which carry a two-month
renewable contract, see the links in the text version of this week's newscast
at arnewsline.org

[DO NOT READ: https://www.ardc.net/ardc-is-hiring-software-developer/ ]
[DO NOT READ: https://www.ardc.net/ardc-is-hiring-technical-writer/   ]

This is Daniel Garcia W2DIY.

(ARDC)

**
RSGB HEADQUARTERS STATION WELCOMES GUEST OPS IN JULY

JIM/ANCHOR:  If you've ever wanted to operate as part of the headquarters
station of the Radio Society of Great Britain - and if you're planning to be in
the UK in July - now's your chance to get on board, as we hear from Jeremy Boot
G4NJH.

JEREMY: Guest operators are being invited to get on the air this July as part
of station GR2HQ, the Radio Society of Great Britain's headquarters team in the
IARU HF World Championship contest. With many of the station's regular
operators involved instead this year in assisting with the World Radiosport
Team Championship, opportunities are now available for visiting operators.

In a notice in the WRTC2026 groups.io discussion, Nick Totterdell, G4FAL,
chairman of the RSGB HF Contest Committee, said that the invitation to join the
headquarters team station is extended only to those radio operators who are not
committed to supporting the WRTC during the contest period.

There is a good choice of locations throughout the UK. A maximum of 12 stations
will be using the callsign GR2HQ in the IARU event from such locations in
Wales, Scotland and England on the six contest bands.

Nick said that operating will be done in shifts at the various sites, most of
which will be in members' homes. Some locations will also be operating
"field-day" style.
 
Interested radio operators should send an email to contestclub at rsgbcc dot
org. That's contestclub - one word - at rsgbcc dot org.

This is Jeremy Boot G4NJH.

(GROUPS.IO)

**
WORLD OF DX

Listen for Arnaud, F4AGG, and Luc, F5RAV, using the callsigns C5D and C5C
respectively, from The Gambia between the 24th of April and the 8th of May. 
C5D will be active on RTTY, PSK and FT8 and C5C will be using SSB and CW.  They
are also scheduling an activation on the Bijol Islands, IOTA Number AF-060,
where they will be using the callsign C5B and operating via satellite RS-44.

A group of operators from Belgium will be using the callsign GB9IOW (G B 9 EYE
OH W) from the Isle of Wight, IOTA Number EU-120, from the 28th of April
through to the 5th of May. They will be operating SSB, CW and digital modes on
the HF bands and 6 metres as well as via the QO-100 satellite and 23 cm
moonbounce.

Listen for Mitsuru, JE1HXZ, using the callsign JE1HXZ/6 from Kuchino Island in
theTokara Islands, IOTA Number AS-049, on the 21st through to the 28th of
April. He will be active using CW, SSB, RTTY and FT8/FT4 on the HF bands and 6
metres.


For QSL information and other details about any of these stations, visit their
pages on QRZ.com

(425 DX BULLETIN)

**
KICKER: HAM CLUB'S LIBRARY LOAN ISN'T DONE BY THE BOOK

JIM DAMRON/ANCHOR: Few things symbolize the generous spirit of lending more
than a library. It houses wisdom, entertainment and life lessons, offering it
all freely to borrowers as a community service. In Arizona, one amateur radio
club has turned that definition inside out - by being the ones making a loan to
the library instead. Jim Davis W2JKD has this week's final story.

JIM DAVIS: Now here's a library loan that any ham could appreciate: Some rigs
and other shack equipment - all in good repair and functioning - showcased so
the folks in Prescott, Arizona, can see what all this radio fuss and excitement
is about.

The borrower is the Prescott Public Library. The lender is the Yavapai Amateur
Radio Club. Acting on a suggestion from club member Jim Zimmerman, N6KZ, the
club offered to design a display area that is used by organizations on a
temporary basis inside the library. The equipment has been on display through
April, accompanied by details that explain what ham radio operators do -- and
why.

Jim told Newsline in an email: [quote] "We are hoping to get some middle [and]
high school student interest, as we have a nice club station, W7YRC, that we
can show the kids how to operate." [endquote] He said a few youngsters have
already asked about becoming hams and even the library staff has been
intrigued.

If things go according to plan, the club may consider returning with another
display next year. But for now, like library books themselves, the exhibit has
an expiration date which, in this case, is the 30th of April. So for now, it's
on borrowed time.

This is Jim Davis, W2JKD

(JIM ZIMMERMAN, N6KZ; WIA)

**
NEWSCAST CLOSE

With thanks to Amateur Radio Daily, AMSAT News; ARDC; ARI; David Behar, K7DB;
FCC; 425DX News; Jim Bricker N3JHB, Jim Zimmerman, N6KZ; National
Telecommunications & Information Administration; Nunsfield House Amateur Radio
Group; NZART; PC Magazine Australia; QRZ.com Forums; Radio Society of Great
Britain; shortwaveradio.de; Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings;
Telecompetitor; 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 Jim Damron N8TMW in Charleson West Virginia saying 73.
As always we thank you for listening. Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) is Copyright
2026. Amateur Radio Newsline retains ownership of its material even when
retransmitted elsewhere. All rights are reserved.

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