Southgate Amateur Radio News

Amateur Radio Daily

30 August 2025

An aggregate of Ham Radio related news.

• European Ham Radio Retailer Halts US Shipments

  The following is a press release from Passion Radio:

  European Ham Radio Retailer Passion Radio Suspends US Shipments Following 15% Tariff Increase

  To our US Amateur Radio Clients and Community

  Because of the recent 15% tariff increase on products imported from the European Union, the suspension of several carrier services to the US, and the growing complexity of the US import system, our online shop Passion-Radio.com must suspend all shipments to the United States until further notice.

  In particular, La Poste, the French national postal operator, suspended parcel shipments to the United States as of August 25, 2025 (1), removing one of the main EU–US postal channels. At the same time, UPS announced that starting September 8, 2025, an additional international processing fee will apply to all import shipments, regardless of origin.

  There has also been some misunderstanding regarding customs procedures. When parcels arrive in the United States, the buyer must settle not only the 15% customs duty, but also the service fee charged by the carrier for filing customs declarations and advancing duties to US Customs. These charges are billed locally at delivery and remain outside the seller’s control. Import duties and tariffs are always the responsibility of the buyer, not the seller.

  "Unfortunately, with constant changes in tariffs, rates, and carrier processes, we cannot guarantee fair, efficient, and transparent shipping conditions," said David, F1JXQ, Director of Passion Radio. "Our goal is to resume shipments to the US as soon as a reliable and cost-effective solution is available for everyone."

  Meanwhile, our collaboration with five US-based suppliers continues without disruption, as the European Union has not imposed any retaliatory tariffs or reciprocal 15% import duties on products arriving from the United States.

  Updates will be communicated through our shop: https://www.passion-radio.com/store/hamradio-us-tariff-43 and our social channels.

  To all our US friends on the bands: we thank you for your understanding and support, and we look forward to resuming deliveries as soon as possible.

  Passion Radio Shop

  Practical tariffs impact on an item €50
  Before tariffs (without 15%, rate €1 = $1.12 April 2025 rate)

  Conversion: €50 × 1.12= $56.00*
  Total payable ≈ $56.00

  After tariffs (with 15%, rate €1 = $1.16 August 2025 rate)

  Conversion: €50 × 1.16 = $58.00*
  Customs duty 15%: $58.00 × 0.15 = $8.70
  Carrier fees (on average, import processing): $15.00

  Total payable ≈ 58.00 + 8.70 + 15.00 = $81.70

  Total surcharge ≈ +$25.70 (~+45.89% increase compared to $56.00, before tariff tax)

  *Not calculated, fees that may apply when converting Euro € <> US $.

  FAQ

  • Q1: Who pays import duties and tariffs when ordering from Europe?
    By law, the US buyer must pay all customs duties, tariffs, and fees when importing goods from Europe.
    These charges are not paid by the seller.

  • Q2: Why do carriers charge extra fees?
    Carriers like UPS, FedEx, or DHL must submit customs declarations and advance duties to US Customs.
    For this, they bill a brokerage or processing fee directly to the buyer.

  Sources :

  (1) https://www.lemonde.fr/economie/article/2025/08/22/la-poste-suspend-l-envoi-de-colis-vers-les-etats-unis_6633516_3234.html

  About Passion Radio

  Passion Radio (https://www.passion-radio.com/) is a French-based retailer specializing in amateur radio, SDR, and RF communication equipment for enthusiasts and professionals. Established in 2014, the company has grown to become the ham radio leader shop in France, providing one-stop-shop RF solution, with over 2100+ references, from 55+ brands.

  Source: Passion Radio

• Special Event Station LZ80TUS Celebrates 80th Anniversary of Technical University of Sofia

  The Technical University of Sofia Amateur Radio Club (LZ1KDP) is celebrating the 80th anniversary of the Technical University of Sofia with special event station LZ80TUS. On the air from August 1 through December 24th, LZ80TUS recognizes the largest research and educational institution in the field of engineering and technological sciences in Bulgaria.

  More information about the special event is available on QRZ.

  Source: LZ1KDP

• DXLook Adds QSO View and Multi-Language Support

  The following is a message from DXLook:

  DXLook has introduced a new QSO View that lets radio amateurs upload their own ADIF (.adi) log files and see their QSOs displayed on the map. Each contact is shown with a great-circle arc from your station to the destination, and markers include details such as callsign, grid, band, mode, date, and time. Filters for band and mode are available, and users can toggle arcs and time labels on or off. QSO View runs fully in the browser, so uploaded log files never leave your computer.

  In addition, DXLook’s Help and Tour sections are now available in multiple languages (English, Spanish, German, Russian, Chinese, and Japanese), making it easier for operators worldwide to get started.

  These updates join DXLook’s existing tools — Summary, Cluster, MUF, Reports, and POTA — giving operators more ways to explore propagation and their own activity in one place.

  Try it now at https://dxlook.com

  Source: DXLook

• Route 66 On The Air 2025

  The 2025 Route 66 On The Air special event will be active September 6-14. This year, 24 clubs located across the route will be operating special 1x1 callsigns. QSL cards and certificates will be available.

  This year marks the 26th year of this great radio event. Originally started by the Northern Arizona DX Association, it was a way to allow amateur radio operators a fun way to “Relive the Ride.” They also can relive their own memories of Route 66, and get to celebrate the highway’s rich history in making the U.S. what it is today.

  Source: Route 66 On The Air

• M17 Conference 2025

  The M17 Foundation will host the M17 Conference September 6-7 in Nowy Dwór Mazowiecki, Poland.

  Presentation topics will include:

  • M17 protocol and ecosystem
  • Open-source hardware/software development and sustainability
  • Reverse engineering and hacking
  • GNU Radio
  • Digital RF protocols for amateur radio
  • Amateur satellite communications
  • Amateur radio infrastructure
  • Signal intelligence

  Attendance is free and registration for attendees is not required. Registration is still open for those wishing to speak or have a booth.

  The M17 Project is an open source digital voice and data protocol that is positioned as an alternative to digital modes that require use of proprietary encoders.

  Source: M17 Foundation

• Radio Club of America Technical Symposium Registration is Open

  Radio Club of America (RCA) has announced registration is now open for its 2025 Techincal Symposium and 116th Awards Banquet. The symposium will include a number of presentations which will later be made available on YouTube. The event takes place in Washington, D.C. on November 22.

  Ahead of the event, attendees can register for tours of DC area memorials as well as the Goddard Space Center and NSA Cryptologic Museum.

  More information is available on the RCA website. A direct link to the registration page can be accessed here.

  Source: Radio Club of America

• AllStarLink Board Seeks Donations

  The AllStarLink board of directors is seeking additional donations to help maintain the AllStarLink system. In an email sent to AllStarLink users, the board noted a 400% increase in connected nodes over the past 4 years and called out operational expenses currently running at a deficit. A $12 per year per node donation was suggested.

  A call for volunteers was also communicated. AllStarLink is looking for software developers with experience in JavaScript, PHP, and Laravel.

  If you find value in the AllStarLink service, we are asking for a voluntary donation of $12/yr per node to help us maintain and improve the AllStarLink eco-system. For those wishing to support our ongoing efforts please see our 501(c)3 donations page at AllStarLink | Donate

  Source: AllStarLink

• IP400 Network Project Sells Out Second Product Run

  ADRCS has announced that the second run of IP400 Mini-Nodes units have sold out and are now shipping. In addition, to satisfy the requirements of the recently approved ADRC grant, ADRCS has been certified by NGO Source.

  About the Alberta Digital Radio Communications Society
  Alberta Digital Radio Communications Society (ADRCS) was formed in 2022 to promote the use and develop new technologies using digital communication in Amateur Radio. It is the sponsor of the AREDN network in Western Canada, and the IP400 Project.

  The IP400 Project aims to deliver a data communications system capable of 100 kbps minimum data speeds. Initial hardware in the form of Raspberry Pi Zero HAT transceivers were demoed at Hamvention. To learn more about the project, join the Groups.io list, or visit the project home page. Source code is available on GitHub.

  Source: ADRCS

• Club Week is Coming This Fall

  This fall, the National Amateur Radio Alliance (NARA) will sponsor Club Week, a special event for clubs to make contact with one another on the air.

  Unlike a contest, Club Week does not involve earning points or submitting logs to NARA. Instead, it’s a relaxed and engaging event where clubs can operate from a club shack, a member's home, a park, or any public location. Clubs are encouraged to organize additional activities to make the most of this opportunity. Participants should be prepared to send and respond to QSL cards, which provides additional opportunities to engage and teach new hams.

  Club Week will span 9 days. While a final date hasn't yet been finalized, clubs can register early for the event on the NARA website.

  Source: NARA

• Hunstville Hamfest

  Hunstville Hamfest takes place this weekend, August 16th and 17th. 2025 sees the return of the indoor flea market with many of the biggest manufacturers and organizations in the world of ham radio also scheduled to be on display.

  • List of dealers and manufacturers.
  • N4HSV is the talk-in repeater at 146.94 MHz (100Hz PL).
  • The full program is available here (PDF).

  Source: Hunstville Hamfest

• Churches and Chapels on the Air 2025

  Churches & Chapels On The Air encourages ham radio operators to active local churches on September 13, 2025. The event originated in 2006 in the United Kingdom as a way to bring awareness to a local fundraising event. In 2024, 54 stations were on the air across the globe.

  More information can be found on the WACRAL website. K4FMH has published information about activations taking place in the US for 2025.

  Source: WACRAL

• Bochum Space Days 2025

  AMSAT-Deutschland will host the Bochum Space Days event September 19-21. The event takes place at the Bochum Observatory with a focus on the future of amateur radio satellites and related space projects. The two day event will offer lectures, presentations, and a tour of the Education Center for Space and Environmental Research.

  A full schedule will be posted in the coming weeks.

  Source: AMSAT-DL

• HamCation Awards Seeks Nominations for 2026 Season

  The following is a press release from HamCation:

  Nominations for HamCation’s 2026 Awards are Now Open

  Each year during [Hamcation] in Orlando, Florida, deserving contributors to the Amateur Radio community are recognized. These individuals or groups have demonstrated exceptional commitment, dedication, and tenacity, supporting the Amateur Radio community. Kicking off the 2026 HamCation award season, nominations are now open on the HamCation website.

  For 2026, there will be three award categories: the Gordon West Ambassador of the Year, the Carole Perry Educator of the Year, and a new category, the Amateur Radio Hero of the Year. This new category recognizes groups or individuals who selflessly went above and beyond in providing their skills, equipment, and time for communications duty in the public service during a disaster or moment of need.

  For more details on all the awards, please visit https://www.hamcation.com/awards. Links to each award category can be found with details of their criteria and the nomination forms. The HamCation team looks forward to receiving nominations for deserving organizations, groups, or individuals for each of the three categories from both within and outside the USA.

  Source: HamCation

• Hams Over IP Invites Hamshack Hotline Users to Apply

  The following is a message from Hams Over IP as published on QRZ.

  Hamshack Hotline Users Invited to Apply for Services at Hams Over IP

  In response to recent service changes and anticipated outages affecting Hamshack Hotline (HH) users, Hams Over IP Inc. is extending a warm invitation to all amateur radio operators affected by the transition to apply for service on the Hams Over IP (HoIP) network.

  As a volunteer-driven nonprofit platform, Hams Over IP was founded by hams for hams, with a mission to offer a reliable, secure, and modern VoIP network exclusively for licensed amateur radio operators worldwide. With robust infrastructure, active development, and a welcoming community, HoIP is proud to support the continued growth of digital amateur communications.

  As Hamshack Hotline service winds down for many, Hams Over IP stands ready to welcome operators who want to continue enjoying seamless radio-over-IP connections.

  Why Choose Hams Over IP?

  • Reliable service and infrastructure
  • Active peer and extension network
  • Secure registration with callsign verification
  • Wide device compatibility (Cisco, Grandstream, softphones, and more)
  • Friendly technical support and community forums

  How to Apply

  Interested hams can apply for service at:
  https://www.hamsoverip.com

  The application process is simple and designed to verify callsign validity while providing setup guidance for a smooth onboarding experience.

  About Hams Over IP

  Hams Over IP Inc. is a nonprofit organization committed to supporting and expanding amateur radio VoIP technologies. Built by licensed amateur operators, HoIP maintains a secure and dynamic network that connects hams through modern IP-based voice services with servers powered by VULTR located in multiple countries that are designed to provide low-latency and optimized performance for users worldwide.

  For more information, please visit:
  https://www.hamsoverip.com

  Media Contact:
  Gescio O Alpuro (WH6AV)
  Hams Over IP Inc.
  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

  Source: QRZ

• Candidate for US Congress Focuses on Issues Related to Amateur Radio

  Austin Ayers (WX3SVR) is running for US Congress with a campaign focusing on the rights of the amateur radio community. In an email sent to Amateur Radio Daily, WX3SVR described three bills he'd plan to introduce if he's elected:

  1. Amateur Radio Accessibility and Antenna Rights Act
  If elected, I would introduce legislation to prevent HOA's, condominium boards, and other private entities from enforcing any such rules that could ban antennas from being installed. I would also prevent such boards and agencies from throwing requests for antennas into a bottomless pit, and guideline the maximum of 30 days to issue approval.

  2. Amateur Radio Spectrum Protection and Expansion Act
  If elected, I would introduce and sponsor a bill that would protect and expand the amateur radio spectrum. This would prevent our spectrum from being re-allocated to commercial users, and allow for bandwidth expansion to accommodate larger limits for modern digital modes.

  3. Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Enhancement Act
  If elected, the Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Enhancement Act would authorize registered non-profit clubs that provide emergency communications to get access to apply for grants through FEMA and DHS, while requiring FEMA and state EMA's to include trained and licensed amateur radio operators in their disaster response plans. I would also introduce a tax credit for licensed operators who purchase equipment that will be used for emergency communications. After seeing how vital amateur radio was during the response to Hurricane Helene, I do not know how WNC would be able to recover from a disaster like that. Ham radio saved lives!

  This nation is facing a major crisis in the political field, and that is the divide between the left and the right. At the end of the day, we need to love our neighbors and put this major fight to the side to get things done! I want to protect the rights of my constituents and every amateur radio operator in this great nation! One major key point I want to bring up is that I am running for a federal office, meaning I have direct input on the laws the FCC must follow. Not just a state representative or senator, but federal which will benefit every ham radio operator!

  More information about Austin Ayers campaign can be found on his website.

  Source: Amateur Radio Daily

• Zero Retries Digital Conference

  The 2025 Zero Retries Digital Conference takes place in Washington, as well as virtually, on September 13th. Tickets are still available for this inaugural event that will showcase technological innovation in amateur radio. Presentations will focus on the IP 400 Network Project, M17 Project, MMDVM-TNC data system, AREDN, HamWAN, and more.

  Tickets are available for both in-person and virtual attendance. The virtual ticket includes access to a live stream of events. Additional virtual ticket options include videos of presentations to be made available post-conference.

  ARDC, ARRL, Connect Systems, GigaParts, HydraSDR, and others are sponsoring the event.

  Learn more on the Zero Retries Digital Conference website, including various ticket options for this event.

  Source: Zero Retries Digital Conference

• Polish Amateur Radio Union Celebrates Three Polish Lighthouses

  From the Polish Amateur Radio Union:

  The Board of the Pomeranian Field Division of the Polish Amateur Radio Union (PZK) in Gdańsk invites all amateur radio operators to participate in a radio award ceremony to celebrate the anniversaries of the three Polish lighthouses: The 150th anniversary of the Czołpino (1875-2025), the 150th anniversary of the Rozewie II (or New) Lighthouses (1875-2025), and the 130th anniversary of the Krynica Morska Lighthouse (1895-2025).

  The nine-day radio event runs from August 9th to 17th, 2025. For contacts made with the three event commemorative stations of the event organizer, each correspondent will receive a commemorative eAward. The regulations for the anniversary award ceremony, including the eAward graphic design and QSL card templates, are presented on our web page and qrz.com:

  https://ot09.pzk.org.pl/akcje/2025LH/3LH.php https://www.qrz.com/db/SN150LRN https://www.qrz.com/db/SN150LHC https://www.qrz.com/db/SN130LHK

  A limited quantity of 1000 commemorative paper QSL cards will be sent only to the first 1000 correspondents served by QSL bureaus. The remaining correspondents will receive eQSL cards via email.

  Source: Polish Amateur Radio Union

• HAARP to Support Polar Aeronomy and Radio Science Summer School with Research Campaign

  From the HAARP Program Office:

  The High-frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP) will be conducting a research campaign August 12-15 UTC, with operating times specified in the table below. Operating frequencies will vary, but all HAARP transmissions will be between 2.8 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 the Polar Aeronomy and Radio Science (PARS) Summer School. PARS is funded by the Subauroral Geophysical Observatory award (#2054361) from the National Science Foundation, and brings students from across the nation to HAARP to conduct research. This year, 30 unique experiments will take place. The theme of this year’s program is “Active Exploration of Near-Earth Space” Scientific goals of these experiments range from studies on the effects of ionospheric conditions on GPS satellite signals to generation and propagation of extremely low frequency/very low frequency (ELF/VLF) waves. More information on PARS can be found at https://haarp.gi.alaska.edu/pars2025

  Note that due to the number of experiments and the need to make real-time schedule adjustments based on ionospheric conditions, no frequencies are specified in the table below. 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 to our online form at https://haarp.gi.alaska.edu/form/reception-reports.

  August 12
  2330-2400
  Continues into UTC day Aug. 13

  August 13
  0000-0530, 2020-2400
  Continues into UTC day Aug. 14

  August 14
  0000-0315, 2215-2400
  Continues into UTC day Aug. 15

  August 15
  0000-0745
  Extended operation to support late-night experiments

  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

• Opulent Voice Conference Server Beta Test

  Open Research Institute has released a beta version of the Opulent Voice based conference server, Locus. The beta round includes FDMA uplink channels, conference management, and a DVB-S2 downlink multiplexer.

  By targeting the IP address of opulent.openresearch.institute, anyone running Interlocutor can participate on ORI’s demonstration conference repeater. This repeater is internet-only at the moment, but will have RF hardware in the next phase of work.

  The software may be downloaded from the Locus GitHub repo.

  Opulent Voice is a high fidelity voice and data protocol developed and open sourced by Open Research Institute.

  Open Research Institute is a non-profit research and development organization.

  Source: Open Research Institute

• HamSCI Meteor Scatter QSO Party

  HamSCI will host a meteor scatter QSO party in August and again in December. In just a few weeks, the August event will take advantage of the Perseid meteor shower and allow amateur radio operators to conduct QSOs via MSK144 mode. HamSCI expects hundreds of participants on the 6 meter band August 11-12.

  In addition to QSOs, HamSCI is requesting audio recordings of decoded pings. This is possible through the WSJT-X software suite.

  A second party will take place December 12-13 during the Geminid meteor shower.

  Source: HamSCI