Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2498 for Friday, September 12th, 2025

Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2498 with a release date of Friday, September 12th, 2025 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.

The following is a QST. Broadband satellites gain limited use of amateur frequencies. Hams in India convert their licenses to digital format -- and questions are raised about the current solar-cycle prediction methods. All this and more as Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2498 comes your way right now.

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FCC GRANTS LIMITED USE OF AMATEUR BANDS TO AST SPACEMOBILE

JIM/ANCHOR: As Newsline went to production, the Federal Communications Commission approved limited use of amateur frequencies for 20 satellites to be deployed by a Texas broadband company. Travis Lisk N3ILS has the details.

TRAVIS: The FCC's Space Bureau said in a statement that it was giving permission to AST SpaceMobile to use frequencies between 430 and 440 MHz on an emergency basis only, The regulator said its move was in direct response to overwhelming concerns raised by amateur radio operators.

Citing potential interference among their issues, member societies of the International Amateur Radio Union, AMSAT, the ARRL and individual amateurs worldwide also argued that alternate UHF allocations exist for the satellites' telemetry, tracking and command functions. More than 2,500 comments were submitted to the FCC .

The FCC's action gives use of the amateur frequencies to the satellites for no more than a 24-hour period. The amateur radio 70cm band is used by hams worldwide for such applications as mobile FM voice, analogue and digital TV, digital data transmission, amateur radio satellites and weak-signal communications on SSB and CW.

AST SpaceMobile ultimately plans a full constellation of 248 satellites for broadband service from space.

This is Travis Lisk N3ILS.

(AMATEUR NEWS DAILY, FCC, IARU)

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FCC EYES GIVING OK TO MOBILE PHONE JAMMING AT PRISONS

JIM/ANCHOR: Jamming is illegal in the United States but the FCC is considering whether to give prisons permission to jam cell phones of inmates. Kent Peterson KC?DGY has more details.

KENT: The Federal Communications Commission hopes to grant federal and state prisons the right to jam mobile phones that have been smuggled in to inmates.

The commission has scheduled a vote this month to remove a restriction that keeps the prisons from such jamming. The inmates are not authorized to have the phones, which the commission said are being used to assist them in conducting criminal activity while behind bars.

US law prohibits the use - and even the sale or distribution - of any equipment that can jam authorized signals such as radio communication, police radar, GPS devices and cell phones. Jamming is forbidden under the Communications Act of 1934, which has been amended and updated since its original drafting.

The vote is scheduled for September 30th.

This is Kent Peterson KC?DGY.

(ASSOCIATED PRESS, FCC)

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MANDATE FOR INDIAN HAMS TO CONVERT TO DIGITAL LICENSES

JIM/ANCHOR: In India, amateurs have been facing a deadline to migrate their licenses from the old paper-based format to digital via a web portal, as we hear from Graham Kemp VK4BB.

GRAHAM: Hams in India who received amateur radio licences in paper form are being required to replace those certificates with a digital licence no later than the 15th of September by logging into the Saral Sanchar, a web-based portal of the Department of Telecommunications.

There is no application fee for the process, which provides amateurs with a QR code-authenticated certificate. This is the equivalent of the amateur radio booklets that had been issued manually with paper certificates until December 31st, 2019.

In early 2020, India began issuing all new and renewed amateur radio certificates digitally. The Telecommunication Rules of 2024 now require the holders of the older paper certificates to use the digital web-based portal as well. Failure to migrate will mean that when the licence expires, it cannot be renewed.

This is Graham Kemp VK4BB.

(AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY OF INDIA, INSTITUTE OF AMATEUR RADIO IN KERALA)

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DOUBTS ABOUT SOLAR CYCLE PREDICTION METHODOLOGY

JIM/ANCHOR: Like a solar storm itself, a controversy over solar cycle predictions is heating up. Andy Morrison K9AWM tells us more.

ANDY: As this year brings the solar maximum of Cycle 25, a different kind of solar storm has been raging - one that challenges the longstanding and prevailing paradigm scientists use to help arrive at forecasts. Sociologist and statistician Frank Howell K4FMH has done an extensive study of this so-called NASA-NOAA-ISED prediction formula, which utilizes a consensus methodology, pitting it against the work of solar physicist Scott McIntosh of Lynker Space.

In this busy, high-profile year for the sun and its activity, Frank has written extensively and presented a series of virtual talks on the subject in the US and overseas. He has also discussed the competing models extensively in his blog, K4FMH.com. Frank's most recent talk, "Progress in the Revolution: Sunspot Cycle Forecast Accuracy at Cycle 25," was given to Pennine [PEN-NINE] Ham in the UK, and can be seen on their YouTube channel.

Whether the NASA team or the McIntosh team prevails, one thing is certain: Like CMEs themselves, this scientific competition over solar predictions promises to rage for some time to come.

This is Andy Morrison K9AWM.

(YOUTUBE, PENNINE HAM, FRANK HOWELL, K4FMH)

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UK REGULATOR MULLS SATELLITE-TO-CELL PHONE SERVICE

JIM/ANCHOR: Following in the path of countries such as the US that permit some mobile phones to use satellite connectivity, the UK is opting to move ahead to allow such services too. Jeremy Boot G4NJH explains.

JEREMY: The UK is poised to become Europe's first country offering legal satellite connectivity for smartphones. The regulator Ofcom has released a consultation authorising the move and is requesting comments no later than the 10th of October.

Making this service available to standard mobile phones would provide the most remote parts of the UK with the access needed to send texts, make phone calls or even connect to the Internet - functions presently not possible in areas without mobile phone coverage.

This is known as "direct-to-device" and operation would be permitted after Ofcom has provided a variation to the licences of Mobile Network Operators. The change would also grant such use to mobile handsets and any other devices that make use of SIM cards.

This is Jeremy Boot G4NJH.

(OFCOM)

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PORTABLE-OP CELEBRATION ACTIVATES NY'S ERIE CANAL

JIM/ANCHOR: The massive Erie Canal in New York State is the scene of a massive anniversary celebration - on the air, of course. Sel Embee KB3TZD tells us what to expect.

SEL: Ten days on the air. Fourteen clubs in NY State. Six months of planning. It all adds up to two hundred years of the Erie Canal - the celebrated public-works project that sparked economic growth by providing a connection between the Atlantic Ocean and the Great Lakes in the early 1800s. It ultimately earned the nickname, the "Mother of Cities," because its connections fostered the development of towns, villages and cities.

Ham radio operators will light up the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor with an operating event that runs from the 16th through to the 25th of September. Many of them will be doing Parks on the Air activations, including a notable two-fer that also includes the Empire State Trail.

Organizers Matt K2EAG, Angela N3ARB and Mike N2MAK are encouraging clubs to create their own commemorative QSL cards for the event. The organizers aren't just looking to collect QSOs, though; they also want to gather stories from operators about their experiences during the event. They can be emailed directly to Matt at k 2 e a g at arrl dot net (k2eag@arrl.net) or posted on social media with the hashtag symbol and one of these three words: ErieCanal200, Erie Canalway or parksontheair.

This Sel Embee KB3TZD.

(MATT K2EAG, ERIE CANALWAY NATIONAL HERITAGE CORRIDOR)


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BREAK HERE:

Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the nodes and repeaters on Allstarlink, Echolink, D-STAR, DMR and TGIF connected to the Blind Hams Network on Sundays at 3 pm. Eastern Time.

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WILD CARD TEAM MEMBERS CHOSEN FOR WRTC 2026

JIM/ANCHOR: Two more competitors have been named for the World Radiosport Team Championship next year in England, as we hear from Jeremy Boot G4NJH.

JEREMY: The excitement continues to build during these remaining months of planning for the World Radiosport Team Championship to be held next year in England.

Event chairman Mark M?DXR, has announced that members of the Wild Card team have been chosen by the Organising Committee. The lead position will be held by Diego, LW5HR, who showed much promise in the qualifications both as a single operator and as part of a number of multi-op teams. His teammate will be Manu, LU9ESD.

Mark said that given the strong representation of the US and Europe in the other teams, the make-up of the Wild Card team from South American amateurs has satisfied the organisers' goals for the field to achieve international diversity.

Wild Card teams are created to recognise candidates with exceptional competitive skills but who were not chosen during the selection process for the other teams.

The preparations and 24-hour contest take place from 8th to the 13th July showcasing the skills of 50 teams of two-person operators. Like the Olympic Games, it is held every four years.

This is Jeremy Boot G4NJH.

(WRTC 2026)

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SIX RECIPIENTS SELECTED FOR YLRL SCHOLARSHIPS

JIM/ANCHOR: Six YLs who combine amateur radio with academic excellence and leadership have been awarded scholarships from the Young Ladies Radio League, as we hear from Jack Parker W8ISH.

JACK: The Young Ladies Radio League has announced six scholarship recipients for this year - two each for the Ethel Smith K2LMB Memorial Scholarship, the Mary Lou Brown NM7N Memorial Scholarship, and The Martha Wessel K?EPE Memorial Scholarship.

Congratulations to Grace Papay, K8LG and Neeti Sonth, KN6?JJ for their selection as recipients of the Ethel Smith scholarship. Grace, who was Amateur Radio Newsline's Young Ham of the Year in 2024, is a top contester and youth mentor. She is studying electrical engineering at Cedarville University in Ohio. Neeti is a PhD student at the University of Colorado Boulder, where she is studying toward her PhD in aerospace engineering sciences. She is the communications officer for the school's amateur radio club.

Madison Clogher, KC1KJT, and Camrynne Ellis WX5CAM, have been chosen for the Martha Wessel scholarship. Madison is active in public service and emergency communications and worked recently with the Federal Emergency Management Agency in its office of planning and preparedness. She has a bachelor's degree in emergency management and is pursuing her master's in cybersecurity. Camrynne is entering her final year at Texas A&M University where she is studying meteorology and atmospheric sciences. She became involved in ham radio through the school's Texas Aggie Storm Chasers organization.

Rachel Jones KO4HLC, and Katherine Forson, KT5KMF are receiving the Mary Lou Brown scholarship. Rachel, a PhD candidate in aerospace sciences at the University of North Dakota, has been a presenter on radio space science for students and is currently the winter manager of KC4USV at McMurdo Station in Antarctica. Katherine is a senior meteorology student at Texas A&M University and active as an officer in the campus radio club W5AC. She is also a liaison between the club and the Texas Aggie Storm Chasers, where she serves as radio and licensing director. Katherine received the ARRL's Hiram Percy Maxim Award in 2021.

Newsline extends its congratulations to these six promising young talents.

This is Jack Parker W8ISH.

(YL HARMONICS)

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WORLD OF DX

In the World of DX, there is still time to work Bo, OZ1DJJ who is on the air as OX3LX from Nuuk, Greenland, IOTA number NA-018, until the 16th of September. He may be taking day trips to IOTA group
NA-220. He is on the air, holiday style, since this is also a working trip. See QRZ.com for QSL details.

Listen for Claudio, HB9OAU, operating as SV5/HB9OAU from Karpathos Island in the Dodecanese Islands, IOTA number EU-001, from the 13th through to the 25th of September. He will operate SSB and CW on 40-6 metres. See QRZ.com for QSL details.

Paul, G4PVM will be active holiday style as GM4PVM from Isle of West Burra in the Shetland Islands, IOTA number EU-012, from the 13th through to the 18th of September. He will be using CW and SSB on 40-10 metres. See QRZ.com for QSL details.


(425 DX BULLETIN)

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LETTING YOUNG READERS SEE A NEW DIMENSION TO RADIO

JIM D/ANCHOR: Our final story this week takes us inside the pages of a new fiction book for young readers. As we hear from Jim Davis, W2JKD, the story delivers its message thanks, in part, to amateur radio.

JIM: There are many dimensions to Lorilyn Roberts, KO4LBS. The Florida resident is an educator, a storyteller and a ham -- something she has wanted to be since childhood. Although she enjoys CW, one of her preferred modes when she is off the air is fiction. In many of the books she has authored, she uses that mode to communicate with faith and passion, reaching out most especially to young adult readers.

In her latest book, released September 5th, Lorilyn shows yet another dimension of her work, one that is reflected in its title "Eighth Dimension - Frequency." This is a work of fantasy fiction. It's the story of a teenager who gains fluency as an amateur radio operator but off the air, struggles to communicate as a caregiver for her mother who has dementia. The young girl, named Chumana, believes that her faith and her future have been shattered and she questions why things happen as they do in this universe.

Like Lorilyn, the protagonist at the core of this tale is a communicator - a gift that serves her well as she begins to make some unusual and unexpected connections via the digital modes.

Lorilyn told Newsline in an email that her hope is that young readers will discover amateur radio - and something more - by hearing Chumana's story. In fact, perhaps they will end up on the same frequency.

This is Jim Davis, W2JKD.

(QRZ.COM, ARRL NORTH FLORIDA SECTION, LORILYN ROBERTS, KO4LBS)

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WHAT? You haven't sent in your ham radio haiku yet? Help is on the way! 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; AMSAT News Service; Amateur Radio Society of India; Associated Press; David Behar K7DB; DXNews; 425DX Bulletin; FCC; Frank Howell, K4FMH; IARU; Institute of Amateur Radio in Kerala; Lorilyn Roberts, KO4LBS; Matt, K2EAG; Ofcom; Pennine Ham; shortwaveradio.de; Wireless Institute of Australia; WRTC 2026; 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 Jim Damron N8TMW in Charleston West Virginia 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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