[continued from previous message]   
      
   In two separate deals pending, the company is planning to acquire use of   
   portions of the S-band and L-band spectrum for global delivery of   
   itsservices.   
      
      
   AST SpaceMobile, which is considered a rival to SpaceX, was recently   
   approved to use the amateur radio band on an experimental basis for a   
   low-earth orbit satellite - a prototype known as FM1. It was assigned the   
   callsign WP2XRX, which is valid through the 1st of July, 2027. The company   
   plans to use the 70 cm amateur frequencies to conduct telemetry, tracking,   
   and telecommand between ground stations and its satellites.   
      
   The Malaysian Amateur Radio Transmitters Society (MARTS) has once again   
   made history by sending an official delegation to participate in the   
   Japan Amateur Radio League (JARL) Ham Fair 2025.   
      
   MARTS President Mohd Aris Bernawi said the JARL Ham Fair, the largest   
   amateur radio exhibition in Asia, was held in Tokyo. He said MARTS's   
   involvement in the exhibition highlights its important role in the   
   international amateur radio community, in line with MARTS's slogan of   
   "providing service through radio."   
      
   Still at the Japanese Hamfest and exciting news last weekend especially   
   if you are into Icom   
      
   Up first, there's a new Icom IC-7300 MK2 on the way.   
      
   The IC-7300 MK2 is a next-generation compact HF transceiver, building on   
   the worldwide success of the IC-7300 which has already sold over 100,000   
   units globally. There has been no official price announcement from Icom   
   as yet.   
      
   A couple of features of the IC-7300MK2 include:   
   Lower Heat Generation and Lower Power Consumption along with an HDMI Port   
      
   Up next was the Icom ID-5200, a successor to the popular Icom ID-5100.   
      
   The ID-5200 is a versatile 144/430 MHz dual-band transceiver with support   
   for both FM and DV (Digital Voice) modes. A key feature is its ability to   
   perform simultaneous dual reception of FM - FM, FM - DV and DV - DV   
   signals.   
      
   In India, officials are taking aim against the sale and marketing of   
   hand-held radios that they say violate consumer and   
   telecommunicationsregulations.   
      
      
   Yes the authorities in India have announced a crackdown on the listing and   
   sale of  hand-held transceivers from China that they say break laws   
   governing consumer protection and the unauthorised use of radiofrequencies.   
      
   Stories in various Indian media outlets identify some of the 13 e-commerce   
   sellers in question as Facebook, Amazon, Flipkart and IndiaMART, amongothers.   
      
   The nation's consumer affairs commissioner Pralhad Joshi said that the   
   violations of the Indian Telegraph Act, the Wireless Telegraphy Act and   
   rules governing the use of low and very low power short-range RF devices   
   were being broken. Acting as an advocate for radio users, the West Bengal   
   Radio Club's secretary, Ambarish Nag Biswas VU2JFA, told the Statesman   
   website that users of these radio sets could interfere with police and   
   other agencies' communications and gather sensitive information relatingto   
   national security.   
      
   -------------------------------------------------------------------   
      
   OPERATIONAL NEWS - A FELIX VK4FUQ PRESENTATION   
   --------------   
   --------------   
      
   Alan VK4SN the Remembrance day contest manager reminded us last weekend   
   that logs for the RD must be received by 03ooz TODAY AUG 31.   
      
   Alan went on also to remind us:-   
      
   "Remember for those  who try and submit ADIF files, logs require   
   conversion to Cabrillo format before submission is accepted.   
   On  vklogchecker.com   there is a link to a converter designed by   
   Peter VK2PR, specifically for VK contests.   
      
   This is the only converter that works for VK logs.   
      
   Please do not email me the ADIF as there is nothing I can do with it."   
   -------------------   
      
   A.L.A.R.A. CONTEST always the last FULL weekend of August which means   
   it's on NOW,   
      
   One contestant, OM Geoff Smart is really honouring ALARA with his QTH for   
   the contest.   
      
   It seems an Elizabeth Hutchings, VK3HM, had the distinction of being the   
   first YL licensed as an amateur radio operator in the state of Victoria.   
      
   Radio was in the family's genes -- in the 1920s, her son Alan held the   
   callsign VK3HL and her daughter, Marjorie, was licensed as VK3HQ.   
      
   Some 100 years later on the Callawadda land where the family's old radio   
   shack still stands, Geoff Smart, VK3GCM, is putting amateur radio back   
   into action. He chose this property, known as Bryn Avon, as his QTH for   
   the Australian Ladies Amateur Radio Association's annual competition.   
      
   (newsline)   
   --------------------   
      
   ALSO THIS WEEKEND SEES THE WW DIGI DX CONTEST   
      
   Yes this  year's  edition  of  the  World Wide  Digi  DX Contest will   
   take place on 30-31 August (from 12:00 UTC to 11:59 UTC).   
      
   The objective  is for  amateurs around the world  to contact  as many   
   other amateurs in  as many Maidenhead Grid Locations as possible using   
   the FT4 and FT8 modes on  160, 80, 40, 20, 15 and 10m.   
   ww-digi.com   
   (425dxnews)   
   ------------------   
      
   WESTLAKES CUP   
      
   13th of September 8:30pm until 9:30pm local time   
   that's 1030 to 1130UTC.   
      
   Operation is Phone on 80 and 40 metres, and all Australian stations may   
   be worked.   
   (vk2wi news)   
      
   ------------------------------   
      
   Oceania DX (OCDX) Contest   
      
   Everyone is invited to the 2025 Oceania DX Contest party!   
      
   The focus of the contest is on promoting HF contacts between stations in   
   Oceania and the rest of the world. For operators outside the region, it's   
   a chance to work many Oceania stations, from remote Pacific islands to the   
   outback here in Australia and jungles of Indonesia.   
      
   The SSB portion of the contest runs from 06:00 UTC on Saturday, the 4th of   
   October to 06:00 UTC on Sunday, the 5th of October 2025.   
   CW operation then runs from 06:00 UTC on Saturday, the 11th of October to   
   06:00 UTC on Sunday, the 12th of October 2025.   
      
   2025 is the 82nd birthday of the contest. It has become the signature   
   event for operators across Oceania and around the world, combining DX   
   excitement, technical capability, and operating skills.   
   (IRTS)   
      
   -----------------------------------------------------------------   
   NOW THE DX WINDOW TO THE WORLD.-----------------   
   -----------------   
      
   VI 8 POL on air 13-29 September.   
   QSL is via VK5PAS.   
   More information on VI8POL can be found on QRZ.com   
   ----------------   
      
   Once again special callsign 4 A 2 MAX will be activated August 1 - 31   
   in remembrance of St. Maximilian Maria Kolbe.   
      
   Activity is on 80-6 metres SSB, CW and digital.   
      
   Born in 1894,  Father Kolbe (SP 3 RN) was killed on 14 August 1941 at   
   Auschwitz.   
      
   QSL via LoTW,  eQSL, QRZ Logbook, or via EA5GL.   
      
   qrz.com/db/4a2max   
      
   (425dx)   
      
   --------------   
      
   Celebrating its 26th anniversary, the Route 66 special event will be on   
   the air September 6 - 14 from September 6 through 14.   
      
   The event commemorates the history of the "Mother Road," connecting east   
   and west areas of the US from Illinois to California. This year, there   
   will be 22 stations participating with their 1×1 callsigns, W6A - W6V.   
      
   Each station has its own schedule and is on the air as operators are   
   available and bands allow. Not all stations will be on the air 24/7. A   
   certificate and decal are available but operators must work at least one   
   station before either item can be requested and it may take up to 10 weeks   
   to process. The Route 66 special event is hosted by the Citrus Belt   
   Amateur Radio Club - W6JBT.org   
   (arrl)   
      
   ----------   
      
   The RSGB Awards Manager has introduced a new awards series for amateur   
   radio contacts with stations across all UK country and crown dependency   
   prefixes. The Worked All UK and Crown Dependency Prefixes Award offers   
      
   [continued in next message]   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)