[continued from previous message]   
      
   radio license in 1977. In 1980, Dr. Neal Frank, then Director of the   
   National Hurricane Centre (NHC), requested an Amateur Radio station within   
   the NHC to facilitate communication with the Caribbean during hurricanes.   
   Julio's initial two-year assignment with the NHC has since extended to   
   45 years, covering over 100 hurricanes.   
      
   Amateur of the Year Neil Rapp WB9VPG, Neil earned his Novice ticket at the   
   remarkable age of 5, making him one of the youngest licensed amateur radio   
   operators ever. Currently a visiting professor of chemistry at Xavier   
   University, Neil has a rich history in education.   
      
   In 2019, Neil co-founded and became the camp director of Youth On The Air   
   (YOTA) Americas, which connects young amateurs with peers through activities   
   that encourage their continued involvement in amateur radio.   
   Neil's contributions to the amateur radio community extend further,   
   including being a reporter and anchor for Amateur Radio Newsline.   
   In the US, the ENTIRE 6 GHz band will be opened up to a greater operation of   
   unlicensed VLP, or very low power devices under an FCC final rule that takes   
   effect on May 5th.   
      
   The band, which comprises frequencies between 5.925.7 and 7.125 GHz is used   
   by mobile service, fixed service and fixed satellite service across four   
   sub-bands. VLPs, which include wearable devices, augmented-reality devices   
   and health-care monitors, typically have an integrated antenna and cover   
   short distances.   
      
   This latest action by the commission provides greater spectrum for various   
   portable devices operating with the same power levels and operational   
   requirements of other VLP devices.   
   FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has announced that the agency has launched a   
   massive, new deregulatory initiative.   
      
   Specifically, the FCC has opened a new docket, titled In re: Delete,   
   Delete, Delete, in which the agency seeks comment on EVERY rule,   
   regulation, or guidance document that the FCC should eliminate for the   
   purposes of alleviating unnecessary regulatory burdens.   
      
   This action follows the Trump Administrations decision to usher in   
   prosperity through deregulation.   
      
   Still on the hill we hear that US President Donald Trump has signed an order   
   to strip back the federally-funded news organisation Voice of America,   
   accusing it of being "anti-Trump" and "radical".   
      
   A White House statement said the order would "ensure taxpayers are no longer   
   on the hook for radical propaganda", and included quotes from politicians   
   and right-wing media railing against the "leftist", "partisan" VOA.   
   VOA, still primarily a radio service, was set up during World War Two to   
   counter Nazi propaganda. It is used by hundreds of millions of people around   
   the world.   
      
   Mike Abramowitz, VOA's director, said he and virtually his entire staff of   
   1,300 people had been put on paid leave.   
      
   SpaceX secured permission March 7 to provide direct-to-smartphone satellite   
   services at higher power levels to improve connectivity beyond the reach of   
   cell towers across the United States.   
      
      
   The U.S. Federal Communications Commission said it is allowing SpaceX to emit   
   more power into spectrum bands adjacent to its partner T-Mobiles frequencies,   
   provided it does not interfere with other networks following concerns from   
   rival telcos.   
      
      
   Companies such as Verizon and AT&T, which have partnered with   
   direct-to-smartphone start-up AST SpaceMobile, warned that increased   
   emissions could degrade the performance of terrestrial mobile networks in the   
   United States and create interference risks.   
      
   Read more   
   SpaceNews:  bit.ly/4bQvVfM   
      
   On March 11, the amateur radio community in Bangladesh came together for a   
   memorable Ham Gathering.   
      
   This event, organized by Bangladesh DX Club, aimed to bridge the gaps   
   created over time and bring hams from all across the country under one roof   
   to share a meal, camaraderie, and discussions on the future of amateur radio   
   in Bangladesh.   
      
   The event saw an overwhelming response, with around 135 operators & guests   
   attending from various districts. Some notable attendees included S21L,   
   S21MB, S21AM,S21RC and many others. Their presence and enthusiasm truly made   
   the evening special. Operators from different corners of the country   
   travelled long distances to be part of this gathering, reinforcing the spirit   
   of the amateur radio community.   
      
   HELLO, MOON TO EARTH? ANYBODY HOME? PICK UP NOW.   
      
   If you've ever waited for a phone call that just never came, you might   
   appreciate my story this week, thanks to Newsline, especially if your caller   
   happened to be on the moon.   
      
   That much-awaited wireless call from the Moon to the Earth will just have to   
   be put on hold - for now. Nokia's 4G LTE network was expected to be put   
   through its paces from the south pole of the lunar surface following the   
   March 6th landing of the Athena Lander.   
      
   Athena arrived with Nokia's Network in a Box, or NIB, on board. Like its   
   predecessor lander - also built by Intuitive Machines - the lander tipped   
   over upon arrival and, with its solar panels blocked from receiving the   
   necessary recharge from the sun, the mission was quickly declared over.   
      
   Undaunted, Nokia pointed out that the company did successfully deliver the   
   moon's first cellular network and powered it up for 25 minutes to transmit   
   data and receive commands from the Earth. Hopes were high, though, that   
   there would be more to report. After all, this mission was supposed to help   
   facilitate communications in 2027 aboard Artemis III. That mission is to be   
   NASA's first human spaceflight to the moon since 1972 and astronauts are   
   expected to be wearing spacesuits that have integrated 4G LTE capabilities   
   courtesy of Nokia and Axiom Space.   
      
   Of course that's still two years away so....until then, hold all calls,   
   please.   
   The fight to keep AM radio as a mandatory service in new cars, including   
   electric vehicles, is alive and well in New York City.   
      
   One historic AM station in Manhattan has taken matters into its own hands to   
   advocate for the senior band. A full-page advertisement by 77 WABC Radio   
   was run in the New York Post, urging consumers to only buy cars that come   
   equipped with AM radio. The ad touts AMs importance  stating that FEMA   
   relies on the service to reach 95% of Americans during emergency situations,   
   a well-known argument in favour of the proposed AM Radio for Every Vehicle   
   Act.   
      
   Speaking to car manufacturers that have plans to drop AM as a service, it   
   explicitly says: Dont support companies that dont care about your safety   
   in a time of need. You should know the companies that dont put you and your   
   loved ones safety first.   
      
   See the advert here:-   
   tinyurl.com/3h7abx2c   
   -------------------------------------------------------------------   
      
   OPERATIONAL NEWS - A FELIX VK4FUQ PRESENTATION   
      
   We are pleased to announce that the results for the 2024 79th Annual Oceania   
   DX Contest have been released! You can see the results news on the link   
   in this weeks text edition of wia national news.   
      
   oceaniadxcontest.com/news/1910   
      
   (vkcc)   
   --------------   
   --------------   
   NOW CONTEST WISE:- 2025   
   --------------   
   --------------   
   --------------   
      
   The IARU 100th Anniversary Centennial QSO Party.   
      
   The IARU CQP will be held for nine days, beginning Saturday 12 April and   
   ending Sunday 20 April. This event will celebrate 100 years of the IARU   
      
   (sarl)   
      
   ------------------------   
      
   Each Tuesday evening in April sees the ZL2GVA Memorial Sprints on 80m.   
   30 minutes each of CW, SSB and FT4.   
      
   Take part in any or all segments.   
      
   Exchange is your outside temperature.   
      
      
   [continued in next message]   
      
   --- SoupGate-DOS v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)