23 January 2025

• Top Contesting Secrets: Break Through Pile-Ups Like a Pro!
• 2025 New Horizons fly-by Pluto Special Event
• HamSCI Announces Expansion of Personal Space Weather Station Activities
• Emmy-Winning Inventor to Deep Space Explorer: WT0DX
• My Xiegu G90 Ammo Can Build
• Fabio I4UFH's Masterstroke: Turning ‘African Italy’ into a 3-Point Powerhouse
• Announcing IDXC 2025 Keynote Speakers
• Small Pistols of Ham Radio Contesting: Stuart VE3RGO
• 2025 Chasing Cornwallis Challenge + K4A "America250" Semiquincentennial SES
• DP0GVN still spotting WB6RER Pico Balloon 01-06-2025
• D4C: Inside the World’s Most Dominant Ham Radio Station
• Amateur Radio Training Course for Rover Scouts in Bangladesh
• How to use AI in your Ham Shack
• January Skywaves Issue; Ham short story - surprising conclusion
• A Historic Day for Amateur Radio in Bangladesh: POTA Activation at Himchari National Park
• The SARC Communicator Journal: January-February 2025
• January 2025 Issue: The Logger's Bark Magazine
• Building World-Class Contest Stations: Ham Radio Icon Luca IK2NCJ
• Embarking On the S21DX IOTA Dxpedition: A Youthful Adventure In Amateur Radio
• From Arkansas to Cayman Brac: Stan K5GO’s Ham Radio Adventures
• Coached by the Contest Crew: NK4O’s Journey in CQ Worldwide
• Raisa R1BIG’s First DXpedition: TI1RRC Heads to Cano Island
• Inside the Mind of CT1BOH: Becoming a World Champion Contester
• First in Flight Special Event Station W8W 2024
• ARRL 10 Meter Prep: Expert Tactics You Need to Know!

Amateur Radio Daily

23 January 2025

• HAARP to Conduct Research Campaign January 27-31

  The following press release was received from the High-frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP):

  Date: January 21, 2025
  To: Amateur Radio & Radio Astronomy Communities
  From: HAARP Program Office
  Subject: Notice of Transmission

  The High-frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP) will be conducting a research campaign January 27-31 UTC, with operating times specified in the table below. Operating frequencies will vary, but all HAARP transmissions will be between 2.75 MHz and 10 MHz. Actual transmit days and times are highly variable based on real-time ionospheric and/or geomagnetic conditions. All information is subject to change.

  This campaign is being conducted in support of research proposals from UAF, the University of Florida, the Naval Research Laboratory, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Cornell University, Dartmouth College, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and the University of Houston. Research topics for this campaign include VLF generation and ducting, studies on STEVE airglow, and space debris detection. This campaign will also support the GIRAFF rocket launch from Poker Flat Research Range, which is investigating the mechanisms that cause flickering and pulsing within the aurora. More information on GIRAFF is available here: https://sites.wff.nasa.gov/code810/news/story301-36.380%20381%20GIRAFF.html

  Note that a number of experiments will be conducted based on the critical frequency (f₀F2) determined by the Gakona ionosonde. The included transmission notice supplement contains information on the frequencies HAARP is authorized to transmit. HAARP transmissions will only occur on our authorized frequencies. There are no specific data collection requests from funded investigators, but reception reports are appreciated and may be submitted online via our web form at: https://haarp.gi.alaska.edu/form/reception-reports

  For updates on ionospheric conditions in Gakona, including f₀F2, please consult ionograms from the HAARP Diagnostic Suite: https://haarp.gi.alaska.edu/diagnostic-suite

  Additional Resources for Reading Ionograms

  Understanding HF Propagation and Reading Ionograms from Bootstrap Workbench: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTFKNCo3Cl8

  Reading Your Ionogram-Keeping It Simple from John (VE6EY): https://play.fallows.ca/wp/radio/shortwave-radio/reading-your-ionogram-keeping-it-simple/

  Source: HAARP

• HB9RG Trophy Celebrates First Amateur Radio Contact via Satellite

  AMSAT Switzerland has announced a special event and contest that encourages hams to make extreme long-distance contacts via amateur satellite. The event recognizes Dr. Hans Rudolf Lauber (HB9RG) and his contribution to amateur radio. HB9RG and Alfons Häring (DL6EZA) conducted the first amateur radio contact via satellite on March 10th, 1965.

  The event runs for 2 weeks, March 3-16. The 10 furthest contacts will be evaluated. The full set of rules is available here [PDF].

  Source: AMSAT Switzerland

• HamSCI Announces Personal Space Weather Station Sessions via Zoom

  The Personal Space Weather Station (PSWS) network is a distributed series of receivers designed to measure the space environment. These stations are built by professionals, citizen scientists, and ham radio operators.

  HamSCI and its partners are constantly at work on expanding the network, improving the PSWS data collection hardware and software, growing the network infrastructure for data storage and retrieval, as well as meeting HamSCI's ultimate goal, analysis of the collected data.

  HamSCI has announced a recurring series of Zoom based sessions to help those interested in the project. Sessions occur each Thursday at 10:00 AM Eastern. More information is available on the HamSCI website.

  Source: HamSCI

• Monday Overdrive for January 20th, 2025

  Each week so much compelling content is considered for Amateur Radio Weekly but there's always a handful of great links that just can't fit. These are the links that didn't make it into issue 365 of Amateur Radio Weekly.

  • A Top Loaded End-Fed Half-Wave Antenna for 20m
    Imagine this: a short, vertical antenna for 20m that requires no ground, no counterpoise or radials... And... no tuner.
    Ham Radio Outside the Box

  • FCC Targets AM Pirate Signal in Boston
    Property home to Radio Energy Boston's 1620 AM receives notice.
    RadioWorld

  • Vanishing Culture: Digital Library of Amateur Radio and Communications
    Amateur Radio has been a hobby for well over 100 years. For as long as there has been an understanding of electricity and radio waves, people have been experimenting with these technologies and advancing the state of the art.
    Internet Archive Blogs

  • A Subtle Shift in My Field Gear: Rethinking the external ATU
    This past week, I’ve been revisiting my shack, paring down, and reorganizing. By that, I mean separating the wheat from the chaff and reevaluating my grab-and-go radios and accessories.
    QRPer

  • Carnarvon’s Decommissioned NASA Satellite Dish Back In Service After 40 Years
    Recently the 29.8 meter parabolic antenna at the Australian OTC (overseas telecommunications commission) station came back to life again after nearly forty years spent in decommissioning limbo.
    Hackaday

  Learn more about Amateur Radio Weekly.

  Source: Amateur Radio Weekly

• IP400 Network Project Announced

  Designed by Martin Alcock (VE6VH) with support from the Alberta Digital Radio Communications Society (ADRCS), the IP400 Network Project is designed to enhance amateur radio repeaters. IP400 aims to bring digital voice modes, data transfers, messaging, and a data networking layer that links repeaters together via RF.

  The latest issue of Zero Retries features in-depth write-ups of IP400, including a message from VE6VH outlining the history and vision of the project.

  We have a ground floor opportunity to develop our own mesh network in the 420-450 MHz band that can be used for many different applications, the limit of which is the imagination alone. The first step is to get a simple chat and beaconing application running to experiment with the technology. From there we can layer on other features and frame types, and then consider moving into the repeater world. To give the project a name, it has been dubbed ‘IP400’, for Intelligent (not Internet!) Protocol.

  • Those interested in the project can join the IP400 Groups.io list.
  • A GitHib repository of initial software has been established.
  • IP400 project home on ADRCS.

  Source: ADRCS

• Ham Radio Event 2025C

  A special event announcement from the German Amateur Radio Club (DARC):

  The European Capital of Culture 2025 Chemnitz is the background of the German special event call signs (SES) DL2025B, DL2025C, DL2025E, DL2025S and DL2025W. In the period from January 18th to March 31st, 2025, these five SES will announce this event worldwide in a 2025C Award Event.

  An attractive and sophisticated online award program is offered for the three participant groups DL, EU and non-EU. In the levels Bronze, Silver and Gold, numbered awards are offered free of charge in the modes CW, Phone, Digital and Mixed. A ranking of the qualified hunters can also be found on the event website. https://2025c.de/swl_en/ The same applies to SWLs! QSL confirmation is only digital. In addition, a verifiable dQSL can be downloaded. More information https://2025C.de or via QRZ.com like https://www.qrz.com/db/DL2025C.

  Source: DARC

• POTA: Winter Support Your Parks Weekend

  The winter edition of Support Your Parks Weekend takes place January 18th and 19th. This is an official Parks on the Air (POTA) event that encourages operators to make their way to a park and enjoy the day.

  Support Your Parks Weekend takes place 4 times per year, winter, spring, summer, and autumn.

  Getting started with POTA can happen via one of two paths — as an “activator” who heads out into the parks or as a “hunter” who is trying to contact someone in a park. The easiest way to participate in POTA is as a hunter.

  Source: POTA

• 2025 HamCation Awards Winners Announced

  Get ready to celebrate the best of the best! Orlando HamCation is thrilled to reveal the winners of the 2025 HamCation Awards. This year’s competition was fierce, with an incredible pool of nominees, all showcasing outstanding qualifications. Every candidate has earned their place in the spotlight, and their unwavering passion for advancing amateur radio is truly inspiring.

  David Jordan (AA4KN)
  2025 Carole Perry Educator of the Year Award

  An active AMSAT member, David works with ARISS to help coordinate amateur radio school contacts with astronauts on the International Space Station.

  Heather (W8GEM) and David Anderson (K1AN)
  2025 Gordon West Ambassador of the Year Award

  Heather and David encourage youth to become amateur radio operators through their involvement in the Youth Radio Club of the Yavapai Amateur Radio Club.

  More information about the award recipients and their achievements can be viewed here. HamCation takes place in Orlando February 7th - 9th.

  Source: HamCation

• Fram2, SpaceX Plan SSTV Event from Polar Orbit

  Fram2 and SpaceX are planning an SSTV event to be transmitted from a Dragon spacecraft carrying 4 astronauts over the course of a 3-5 day polar orbit. This mission is unique in that spacecraft orbits rarely expose astronauts to polar regions of the planet.

  The SSTV event is an experimental radio competition aimed at high school and university students. Images of geographical locations will be transmitted out of order with students expected to receive, solve the puzzle, and identify the geographic location.

  No exact date has been published on the Fram2 website, but the mission is expected to launch this spring.

  Source: FRAM2

• On-air Event Introduces Marines to Ham Radio

  Special event station PA25MC will be on the air January 23rd to introduce members of the Royal Army to amateur radio. Sponsored by the Royal Netherlands Army Signal Regiment, the event will utilize military equipment using as many bands as possible on SSB.

  QSL info:
  PI4VBD / Verbindingsdienst,
  Barchman Wuytierslaan 198,
  3818 LN Amersfoort,
  The Netherlands

  Source: VE7SAR

• QuartzFest 2025 Takes Place January 19-25

  QuartzFest is an ARRL Specialty Convention held in January near Quartzsite, Arizona in the United States. No other hamfest in the world brings together in one gathering so much innovation in mobile antenna systems, mobile ham shacks, recreational vehicles, portable and mobile EMCOMM systems, off-the-grid living, alternative energy and radio education.

  Special events include:

  • Off Road Adventure
  • Hiking
  • ARRL Forum
  • Ham Radio Olympics
  • Balloon Launch
  • More [PDF]

  Speaker sessions include:

  • Amateur Television
  • Starlink 101
  • Mesh Workshop
  • Meshtastic Presentation
  • HandiHams
  • GMRS for Hams
  • Solar Batteries
  • More [PDF]

  Source: Quartzfest

• West Bengal Radio Club will be active from Sagar Island

  From the West Bengal Radio Club:

  Team of West Bengal Radio Club will be active from Sagar Island, West Bengal from:

  • 10th January till 20th January, 2025
  • Special Event Station AU2WBRC
  • ITU Zone 41, CQ Zone 22, Grid NL41ap
  • Islands On the Air (AS-153);
  • Beaches On the Air (Gangasagar Island Beach 60572)
  • World Lighthouse on the Air (Sagar Island WLOTA 2262)

  https://www.qrz.com/db/AU2WBRC

  More details about this DXpedition to follow.
  Follow the Special Event Page on QRZ for more updates

  All contacts will be verified through QRZ.com only.
  For eQSL, please write to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

  Source: West Bengal Radio Club

• Phil-Mont Mobile Radio Club Celebrates 75 Years of Amateur Radio Excellence

  The following is a press release from the Phil-Mont Mobile Radio Club

  FORT WASHINGTON, PA - The Phil-Mont Mobile Radio Club (PMRC) is proud to announce its 75th Anniversary, marking a significant milestone in the club's history of public service and amateur radio enthusiasm.

  A celebratory banquet was held Saturday, November 9, 2024, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM EST at the Whitemarsh Valley Event Center, located at 493 S. Bethlehem Pike, Fort Washington, PA 19034. The keynote address was given by Robert Famiglio, K3RF, ARRL Atlantic Division Director. Awards for lifetime contributions were given to Bill Popovic, W3AOK, Ed Masarsky, KB3IV and Steve Hoch, WU3I. The award for exceptional club service was given to Greg Cheng, KC3SMW. There was a raffle with over $800 in prizes, including the grand prize of a $500 Ham Radio Outlet Gift Certificate. Watch the PMRC 75th Anniversary Video Blast (3 min.) here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2m40ST2nmA and see the pictures here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/eGjWXWbLqb23StoC7

  "We are thrilled to celebrate 75 years of PMRC's contributions to the amateur radio community. Throughout these 75 years, we've hosted countless events, participated in all the field days, thousands of nets, and engaged in community service that exemplifies our commitment to outreach and education. The friendships forged in this club have created a family that extends beyond just radio waves; we are united by shared experiences and memories," said Richard Roth, AA3RC, Club President. "This banquet was an opportunity to honor our shared achievements and enjoy an evening filled with camaraderie and joy."

  Formed on December 12th, 1949, the Phil-Mont Mobile Radio Club has been at the forefront of amateur radio operations in the Philadelphia region, providing public service, emergency communications, and fostering a community of radio enthusiasts.

  About Phil-Mont Mobile Radio Club:
  PMRC is an ARRL-affiliated club dedicated to promoting amateur radio, providing public service, and advancing the art and science of radio communication. With 202 members, the club offers various services including a newsletter, daily nets, license test sessions, mentoring, and on-air bulletins. For more information, go to: www.phil-mont.org

  Source: Phil-Mont Mobile Radio Club

• TPRFN Packet Network Seeks Additional Network Nodes

  The Packet Radio HF Forwarding Network (TPRFN) is looking for additional network nodes to further build out a packet network that currently spans the east cost of the US from Maine to Florida.

  TPRFN is a network that links existing VHF/UHF packet networks, and stand-alone nodes, together using HF bands and newer digital modes. It primarily uses NVIS-range links for its consistent dependability.

  TPRFN is currently looking to add nodes in New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. See the TPRFN website for more information, including a network map.

  Source: QRZ

• SCAMP Digital Mode Available in Fldigi

  Simple Conversational Amateur Message Protocol (SCAMP) is a weak signal digital mode developed by Dr. Daniel Marks (KW4TI). Originally integrated with the RFBitBanger transceiver, SCAMP is now available for broader use through the Fldigi software suite.

  Like other weak signal propagation modes such as the popular FT8, SCAMP is an orthogonal frequency shift keying mode with a low symbol rate, forward error correction, and synchronous signaling. Unlike FT8 which has been designed to exchange signal reports, SCAMP must be able to communicate arbitrary messages that may be required in an emergency situation. [1]

  For additional information, view KW4TI's video presentation on the RFBitBanger and SCAMP.

  [1] Jensen (W7DGJ), Dave. “Trials and Errors Issue 26.” QRZ, 31 Aug. 2023, www.qrz.com/articles/node_1692683709.

  Source: Open Research Institute

• Holmesburg Amateur Radio Club Participates in Stamps for the Wounded Program

  The following is a press release from Holmesburg Amateur Radio Club.

  Holmesburg Amateur Radio Club’s Service Project Recognized Around the World

  Since 2014 the Holmesburg Amateur Radio Club has participated in the Stamps for the Wounded program.

  Stamps for the Wounded (SFTW) is a service organization dedicated to providing comfort and stimulating activity to U.S. veterans through stamp collecting. SFTW sends stamps, covers, supplies and literature to enable veterans to begin, or continue to collect stamps. Stamp collecting is an activity that provides comfort, meaningful activity and social connections... it is not physically challenging and very stimulating.

  SFTW has been helping veterans since 1942 and welcomes any U.S. veteran who would like to begin, or continue collecting stamps, to join our program to receive stamps and philatelic materials.

  The Club originally got involved with the SFTW program when they received about 1000 QSL card requests following members participation in the annual 13 Colonies Special Event held each July. HARC’s Club call, WM3PEN, is a bonus station during that event. The question came up as to what, if anything, could be done with all of the cancelled stamps on the envelopes. Upon learning of the program club members began inserting a brief note about the program with the QSL card request.  Soon envelopes, both large and small, started to arrive from around the U.S. We even got packages from England and Germany. Stamps came from individuals, sports clubs, businesses, etc. Many asked how could their school or business get involved. Bob Josuweit, WA3PZO, trustee of the WM3PEN callsign, says this has provided a way to introduce people to ham radio. Rich Shivers, K3UJ, who coordinates the shipping of the stamps to SFTW says that the Club has shipped about 74 pounds of stamps so far. That’s a lot of stamps when you consider stamps are shipped with about a ¼ inch border.

  Rob Jenson, president of Stamps for the Wounded recently thanked HARC for “coordinating outreach among your members, and other amateur radio operators around the world. We have received donations from others who have seen info with your QSL cards and on your web site.”

  Following a recent HARC shipment to SFTW, Jenson said “We gratefully acknowledge receipt of your box of US and foreign used stamps, and some US mint postage stamps. On behalf of our veterans, and our all volunteer staff, we thank you all for promoting us, and encouraging your members and other radio operators to send us stamps from QSL cards, which we forward to the veterans.”

  He continued, “We have plenty of material to share, so if any of your members, or radio contacts are veterans or active-duty military who collect stamps or covers, or who are interested in adding stamp collecting to their hobbies, please point them to our web site at https://stampsforthewounded.org/for-veterans and we will get them set up.”

  Some of the items the SFTW program can use include: Undamaged, used stamps from the USA or a foreign country except for common stamps that have “Non Profit” or “Bulk Rate” printed on them or stamps with the US Flag as their entire design. Other types of stamps and envelopes that are acceptable can be found on the stampsforthewounded.org website.

  For further information contact Bob Josuweit, WA3PZO at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

  Source: Holmesburg Amateur Radio Club

• HamCation POTA Meet-up February 6th

  The 3rd annual HamCation POTA Meet-up will take place in Apopka, Florida on February 6th. Participants will gather at Wekiwa Springs State Park from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The event will include a park activation, door prizes, lunch, and more. More information is available from the event flyer [PDF].

  Source: HamCation

• 9X2AW to be Active from Rwanda

  DF2WO will be active in Rwanda as 9X2AW January 27th through February 15th. This is a single operator "holiday-style" activity. Interruptions may occur during the activation window. 9X2AW will be active from grid square KI48XB on 10 meters through 160 meters as well as on the QO-100 satellite.

  See QRZ for more information.

  Source: QRZ

• Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

  Happy Holidays to everyone reading this message! If you've spent any time this year reading Amateur Radio Daily, I want to thank you for stopping by. Special thanks to all the individuals, clubs, event managers, and organizations that have sent in articles and special events to promote. This service is here for you, to help get the word out regarding all things ham radio.

  It's always fun to promote what's new in the hobby and the plan is to continue doing so into 2025 and beyond! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

  73
  K4HCK

  Source: Amateur Radio Daily

• WSPR Signal Disturbance Theory Revives Search for Missing Flight MH370

  Historical WSPR transmissions are playing a part in the search for flight MH370 which went missing over the Indian Ocean 10 years ago. A retired aerospace engineer has suggested that disturbances in WSPR transmissions may reveal the area in which flight MH370 last flew. Others, including Joe Taylor, inventor of the popular WSPR mode, have suggested WSPR may not be useful in tracking aircraft.

  ...the creator of WSPR technology has suggested that historical data from the network is of little use for tracking aircraft. Nobel laureate Prof Joseph Taylor, of Princeton University, an astrophysicist and radio ham himself, developed WSPR based on his research into pulsars.

  A private robotics company, Ocean Infinity, will include the WSPR based triangulation in their flight MH370 search grid. A start date for the new search effort has not been released.

  Source: Stuff