[continued from previous message]   
      
   Radioworld.com, RSGB, SARL and the World Wide sources of WIA.   
      
   Several International Amateur Radio Union societies and more than 2,000   
   individuals have filed their concerns with the US Federal Communications   
   Commission over a request by a US broadband communications company' to use   
   frequencies between 430 and 440 MHz for a planned constellation of 240   
   commercial satellites.   
      
      
   AST SpaceMobile was recently approved for the use of the amateur radio band   
   on an experimental basis for a low-earth orbit satellite known as FM1, which   
   is the prototype for the company's planned mobile phone connectivity from   
   space. The FCC has assigned the callsign WP2XRX, which does not expire until   
   July of 2027.   
      
      
   The Radio Society of Great Britain, referring on its website to its own   
   filing to the FCC, said that the company's proposal for its constellation has   
   stirred [quote] "an unprecedented response from the amateur radio community."   
   [endquote]   
      
      
   Radio Amateurs of Canada participated during the reply phase of this   
   proceeding, which concluded on August 5, 2025. They coordinated closely   
   with the ARRL to ensure Canadas response was both complementary and   
   constructive. The shared goal is to uphold and defend Amateur Radio access to   
   the 430-440 MHz band.   
      
      
   RAC has also consulted with Innovation, Science and Economic Development   
   Canada, ensuring that Canadian regulatory authorities are aware of the   
   proposal and the concerns voiced by Canadian Amateurs.   
      
      
   Obviously the IARU have also wade in expressing concern, as has our own WIA.   
   In speaking with our Secretary and ascertaining the board had dropped a   
   submission to the FCC our Editor Graham VK4BB  suggested to the Secretary it   
   would be an idea if the board talk here had that item, either by the next   
   rostered member to present or better still the WIA  President.   
      
      
   Swedish amateurs who have received the new entry level class certificate are   
   identifying themselves with the country's new callsign prefix, "SH."   
      
      
   These amateurs can be heard on 40, 20, 15, 10, 6 and 2 metres, where they are   
   permitted to use a maximum of 25 watts of power.   
      
      
   The threat of that tsunami in Hawaii is calling attention to an effort by   
   broadcasters in Honolulu to regain access to police scanner information.   
      
      
   Media outlets have been unable to access police and fire scanner radio   
   communications since February 2022 when a new digital system began encrypting   
   the frequencies used by the citys emergency agencies. Broadcasters are   
   working to change that, and a bill under consideration in the Honolulu City   
   Council might get the job done.   
      
      
   The media and publics timely access to emergency-related information is   
   essential to keeping the community safe from dangerous situations such as   
   active shooters, armed and dangerous individuals, and violent crimes, the   
   proposed bill says. It adds that the release of timely and accurate   
   information to broadcasters and other media outlets helps in the prevention   
   of misinformation spreading within the community, which it says can cause   
   panic and public distrust. To access the information, the proposal says a   
   station would need to hold a valid license from the Federal Communications   
   Commission or have a verifiable track record of professional journalism.   
      
      
   Journalists dont simply broadcast what they hear  they use scanner traffic to   
   mobilize teams, verify facts, and prepare accurate bulletins.   
      
      
   The Bouvet Island 3YK team begins packing for the long trip starting in   
   August, hoping to complete this part of the preparation by the end of   
   September. According to their July 27th press release, equipment is being   
   shipped from Italy, Bulgaria and the US to Norway where the team plans to   
   meet later in Oslo for two workshops.   
      
      
   Activators expect to be on the island for at least 21 days. Their scheduled   
   departure date from Cape Town South Africa is the 1st of February, 2026.   
      
      
   Pakistan's government has approved its first change to the fee structure for   
   radio-based services in 25 years. More than 1,100 licence holders, including   
   amateur radio operators and private radio networks, are being affected by a   
   fee hike.   
      
      
   According to media reports, fees remained unchanged until now despite   
   Pakistan's inflation rising by more than 700 percent.   
      
      
   Pakistan's fee is increasing from 450 rupees to 5,000 rupees!   
      
   Theres a new resource from ARRL documenting the history of ham radio.   
      
   Radio Alpha is the ARRL Museum and Research Library. It is available for   
   viewing at arrl.org/museum   
      
      
   It aims to serve as a definitive repository of information, offering detailed   
   descriptions and contextual data on pivotal figures, influential   
   organizations, pioneering companies, transformative inventions, and iconic   
   equipment that have shaped the amateur radio landscape. Radio Alpha addresses   
   the critical need for a centralized, reliable, and easily navigable archive   
   of amateur radio's past.   
      
      
   Recognizing the fragmented nature of existing historical data, this database   
   will consolidate diverse information sources into a single, cohesive   
   platform. Users will find meticulously researched entries, cross-referenced   
   to provide a holistic understanding of the connections and evolutions within   
   the hobby. A core principle of Radio Alpha is universal accessibility.   
   Therefore, the database will be entirely free to access, ensuring that   
   researchers, historians, enthusiasts, and the public can explore its contents   
   without barriers.   
      
   THE BALKANS   
      
   The ISTRA Contest Conference is taking place October 912th in Pore, Croatia.   
   This conference is quickly becoming Europes most vital gathering   
      
   of contest operators. What started as a bold idea between friends has   
   evolveddespite COVID delaysinto a globally attended, three-day immersion in   
   radiosport. With over 250 participants and growing interest from outside the   
   Balkans, the event now draws contesters from across Europe, the Middle East,   
   and U.S.A.   
      
      
   But this isnt Friedrichshafen or Dayton. There are no booths. No gear to buy.   
   Instead, ISTRA offers live, interactive presentations:   
      
   young operators debriefing DXpeditions,   
   station builders explaining the guts of their setups,   
   doctors addressing health in contesting.   
      
   Held on the stunning Istrian coast, ISTRA isnt just for contestersits also a   
   rare invitation for spouses and families to enjoy world-class food, swim in   
   the Adriatic, and savour the wines and quiet beauty of inland Croatia.   
      
      
   VIDEO AT tinyurl.com/ym4wdjvu   
      
   Kolkata's rich legacy in radio communication is being celebrated and   
   advanced through a week-long Amateur Radio Workshop, jointly organised   
   by OSCAR INDIA and Sister Nivedita University (SNU).   
      
   Taking place this past week, concluding tomorrow, Monday August 11, at   
   the SNU campus this immersive program is being hosted by the All India   
   School of Management and Information Technology.   
      
   This initiative follows the success of HAMFEST INDIA 2024 and once again   
   reaffirms SNUs commitment to nurturing tech-savvy, globally connected   
   youth. The workshop has been designed for students, hobbyists, and tech   
   enthusiasts keen to explore the world of ham radio -- a fascinating blend   
   of communication, innovation, and disaster readiness.   
      
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   OPERATIONAL NEWS - A FELIX VK4FUQ PRESENTATION   
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   NOW CONTEST WISE:- 2025   
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   Remembrance Day Contest   
      
      
   [continued in next message]   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)