Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2519 for Friday, February 6th, 2026
Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2519 with a release date of Friday, February 6th, 2026 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.
The following is a QST. The Bouvet Island DXpedition team announces a delay. Four hams are among those who will track the flight of Artemis 2 -- and a Groundhog Day special event station covers some ground. All this and more as Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2519 comes your way right now.
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BILLBOARD CART
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DELAY FOR BOUVET ISLAND 3Y╪K DXPEDITION
SKEETER/ANCHOR: Our top story is the Bouvet Island. The DXpedition to the most remote uninhabited island on our planet is facing a delay. Graham Kemp VK4BB picks up the story from here.
GRAHAM: If youre keeping your ears tuned for the start of the 3Y╪K DXpedition to Bouvet Island, the thing youre going to need more than good propagation, sufficient power, a good antenna and, of course, good timing ispatience. The teams plans have been delayed by about two weeks, according to their website. Their sailing vessel is undergoing additional maintenance to secure it for the journey to the remote island. The team writes: [quote] While this delay is disappointing, the safety of our team remains our highest priority. [Endquote]
According to the team, nothing else about the teams game plan has changed and after three years of planning, they are looking forward to being QRV before too long.
This is Graham Kemp VK4BB.
(3Y╪K WEBSITE)
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4 HAMS AMONG THOSE CHOSEN TO TRACK ARTEMIS 2 FLIGHT
SKEETER/ANCHOR: The Artemis 2 crewed test flight, which was to have lifted off sometime early this month, has been delayed by NASA after the discovery of several issues, including hydrogen leaks in the space-launch system tanks. Meanwhile, as the agency conducts a review and reschedules a launch for March, the space agency has announced that its newly chosen group of volunteers to track the Artemis 2 includes four amateur radio operators. Don Wilbanks AE5DW tells us who they are.
DON: Thirty-four volunteers from around the world have been chosen by the US Space Agency to track the Orion spacecraft and its crew of four astronauts during the scheduled Artemis 2 test flight. NASA has said that this mission, which includes a trip around the moon, plays a vital role in setting the stage for a return to exploration of the lunar surface. The mission is also viewed as paving the way for the first crewed Mars mission.
Four amateur radio operators are among the 34 observers chosen by NASA in a group that also includes universities, government agencies and private companies. The Canadian Space Agency and the German Aerospace Center are among those chosen. Von Storch Engineering in the Netherlands and Intuitive Machines in Houston, Texas are among the commercial entities selected. Academic institutions include the University of Zurich's Physics Department in Switzerland and the University of New Brunswick in Canada.
The four hams are Chris Swier [pron: SWEER], K1FSD of South Dakota; Dan Slater, AG6HF, and Loretta Smalls, AJ6HO, both of California; and Scott Tilley, VE7TIL of British Columbia, Canada. The hams will be using their radio equipment to track transmissions from the Orion over the course of its 10 days in space.
This is Don Wilbanks AE5DW.
(NASA)
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AN OPEN-SOURCE EFFORT TO SALVAGE HAMCLOCK
SKEETER/ANCHOR: Fans of the HamClock shack accessory are still shaken by the death of its developer - and now they are working hard to preserve his legacy, as we hear from Kevin Trotman N5PRE.
KEVIN: With last month's tragic death of HamClock developer, Elwood Downey, WB╪OEW, the clock is ticking - quite literally - on a way to salvage this popular shack accessory so it remains useful beyond its scheduled sunset in June.
Brian Wilkins, KO4AQF, the developer of an open-source alternative, has posted his work-in-progress on the GitHub website in the hopes of providing realtime HamClock data feeds from publicly available locations, such as PSK reporter, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
The final iteration of HamClock is version 4.22. With no further maintenance possible on its Internet backend, news, propagation updates, DX and other data will no longer be delivered to the device after it sunsets.
Brian was not involved in the creation of the original HamClock but said that this replacement project, a free, open-source, Linux-based system, is an outgrowth of [quote] "my own motivation and passion." [endquote]
He told Newsline in an email that [quote] "the goal is preservation, not reinvention - keeping HamClock working exactly as intended for years to come." [endquote]
To see the work that is under way, follow the link in the text version of this week's Newsline script at arnewsline.org
[DO NOT READ:
https://github.com/BrianWilkinsFL/open-hamclock-backend ]
This is Kevin Trotman N5PRE.
(STEVE STROH N8GNJ, BRIAN WILKINS, KO4AQF)
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BRAZIL'S HAMS MARK ANNIVERSARY WITH SSTV, SPECIAL EVENT STATION
SKEETER/ANCHOR: Hams in Brazil are marking the anniversary of the national organization that represents them with a slow-scan TV event and a separate monthlong activation of special anniversary callsigns. We have those details from Jeremy Boot G4NJH.
JEREMY: When the Liga de Amadores Brasileiros de Rßdio Emissπo, or LABRE, the league of Brazilian Amateur Radio Transmitters, was created in 1934 to represent its national radio amateurs, it would be almost three decades before anyone would have the use of amateur radio satellites. Now, however, hams in Brazil have a choice of many such satellites - and to celebrate the 92nd anniversary of the league's founding, they have chosen the Russian CubeSat UmKA-1, or RS40S, to transmit SSTV imagery between the 6th and 9th of February.
The transmissions are on 437.625 MHz and the SSTV mode is Robot36 sent every three minutes. Any operator who receives the imagery will be eligible for a special certificate.
Hams with a more terrestrial interest are being invited to chase 28 special anniversary callsigns that are on the air from the 1st of February through to the 1st of March. The callsigns represent each region of Brazil and, according to a Facebook post, present [quote] " a unique opportunity for fellowship, cultural and technical exchange, and friendshipvalues that have always been at the heart of LABRE." [endquote]
This is Jeremy Boot G4NJH.
(LABRE, AMATEUR NEWS DAILY, FACEBOOK)
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TROPHY EVENT CELEBRATES HISTORIC SATELLITE QSO
SKEETER/ANCHOR: With the QSO they made via the OSCAR III satellite in March of 1965, a ham in Switzerland and a ham in Germany changed the shape of satellite QSOs to come: It was a first for amateur radio - and one that AMSAT-HB in Switzerland is again honoring with the HB9RG Trophy. John Williams VK4BB has those details.
JOHN: There was not yet a global satellite community when Hans Rudolf Lauber, HB9RG, and Alfons Haring, DL6EZA, made their pioneering satellite QSO in 1965. That moment gave rise to a new era for ham radio and in the years that followed, as more satellites populated the skies, the international community developed a zest for working "the birds."
AMSAT-HB's trophy, which bears Hans Rudolf Lauber's callsign, is an honour conferred for achieving DX via ham radio satellite between the 2nd and the 15th of March. The competition is timed to coincide with the original two-day contact made on March 10th, 1965. Only QSOs via
low- medium- and highly elliptical earth orbit satellites will be permitted. On the final day, hams will be permitted to use a geostationary satellite for a single contact with HB9RG, the bonus station.
For details and rules, follow the link in the text version of this week's Newsline script at arnewsline.org.
This is John Williams VK4JJW.
[DO NOT READ:
https://www.amsat-hb.org/hb9rg_trophy/hb9rg_trophy_2026 ]
(AMSAT NEWS)
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WINTER FIELD DAY: FROM SIMULATION TO ACTIVATION
SKEETER/ANCHOR: Like the ARRL's annual Field Day, Winter Field Day provides an opportunity for portable operation only in winter environments during the last weekend of January. For Amateur Radio operators in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area, however, simulation changed to activation while participating in this years event. Randy Sly W4XJ tells us more.
RANDY: Eddie Misiewicz, KB3YRU, was with a group of fellow hams for Winter Field Day on Sunday, January 25th, when he was notified by the Warning Coordination Meteorologist for the Pittsburgh Weather Forecast Office to activate SKYWARN for Winter Storm reports.
Eddie, who is a SKYWARN coordinator and volunteer, told Newsline that stations from 35 counties across the region got on the air, averaging 150 snowfall and condition reports from each of the counties. Amateur participation came from Central Ohio, Western Pennsylvania, as well as the Northern and Northern Panhandle of West Virginia.
Of course, this is why drills like Winter Field Day exist. The activation went QRT on Monday evening, January 26th, after 15 continuous hours of being on the air.
This is Randy Sly, W4XJ
(EDDIE MISIEWICZ, KB3YRU)
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BREAK HERE: Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the Caribbean Amateur Radio News Network on 7.139 MHz at 1000 UTC Monday through Saturday and on Sunday at 1600 UTC.
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REGISTRATION OPENS FOR HAMSCI'S MARCH WORKSHOP
SKEETER/ANCHOR: Registration has opened for the annual HamSCI workshop which this year will be held in Connecticut and hosted by the ARRL on the campus of Central Connecticut State University. The dates are March 14th and 15th.
The workshop theme is "Discovering Science through Ham Radio," and will showcase how HamSCI's cooperative relationships between researchers, ham radio operators, citizen scientists and students have brought about notable advances in weather studies, propagation sensing and ionospheric research.
Visitors will have an opportunity to visit the Newington, Connecticut headquarters of the ARRL , where licensed hams will be able to get on the air from the Hiram P. Maxim Memorial Station, W1AW
Although the two-day event is designed for in-person attendance at the New Britain, Connecticut university campus, plans are in the works to provide opportunities for virtual attendance. Details will be announced close to the date of the workshop. Find registration information at the link in the text version of this week's newscast at arnewsline.org
[DO NOT READ: hamsci.org/hamsci2026. ]
(HAMSCI)
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YLS MARK INT'L WOMEN'S DAY WITH POTA PARTY
ANCHOR: One of the many amateur radio events happening around the time of International Womens Day in March will be near New York States scenic Erie Canal. Andy Morrison K9AWM tells us what's being planned.
ANDY: Its a YL POTA Party - and this one on Saturday, March 7th isnt just for licensed amateurs but those who are interested in experiencing the beauty of Pineway Ponds Park in Spencerport, New York. The site along the Erie Canal is designated US-6532 within the POTA system. YLs will be spending the day at the cabin known as Owens Lodge within the park.
The organizers, Angela N3ARB and Matt K2EAG, have invited YLs of all ages to participate and either bring their own radios or share others rigs. The starting time is 9 a.m. and everyone will be permitted to stay until the parks 9 p.m. closing time. This is an independent event and is not sponsored by the Parks on the Air organization. International Womens Day is observed this year on Sunday, March 8th.
The YL POTA Party is timed to coincide with International Womens Day, which provides an opportunity for YLs to celebrate women in amateur radio.
If you are interested, send an email to Angela N3ARB and Matt K2EAG at Brown at brownbuffalo dot com. (
brown@brownbuffalo.com)
This is Andy Morrison K9AWM.
(ANGELA, N3ARB, AND MATT, K2EAG)
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YLRL MAKES HIGHER-ED SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE
SKEETER/ANCHOR: The Young Ladies' Radio League is looking to award scholarships to promising YLs who want to advance their education. Jack Parker W8ISH has the details.
JACK: For the next two months, the Young Ladies Radio League will be reviewing scholarship applications from qualified YLs who are pursuing advanced degrees, preferably in subjects relevant to communication or radio. The application period opened on the 1st of February and closes on the 1st of April. YLs holding valid amateur radio licenses anywhere in the world are eligible for any of three scholarships. Preference is being given to YLs who are members of the YLRL.
The Ethel Smith, K4LMB, Memorial Scholarship and the Mary Lou Brown, NM7N Memorial Scholarship both provide $2,500 each toward a students full-time pursuit of a bachelors or graduate degree at any accredited university.
Students who are enrolled in part-time studies can apply for the Martha Wessel, K╪EPE, Memorial Scholarship. Those students must be involved in full-time work or have roles as family caregivers or stay-at-home parents.
For details or an application form, visit the YLRL website at ylrl.net and search for scholarships.
This is Jack Parker W8ISH.
(YOUNG LADIES RADIO LEAGUE)
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WORLD OF DX
In the World of DX, Heli, DD╪VR is on the air as D4VR from Cape Verde throughout February. He will operate QRP with "high efficient antennas" from Boa Vista, IOTA Number AF-086, on the 6th through to the 11th of February and again on the 19th through to the 21st. Listen for him operating from Sao Tiago, IOTA Number AF-005, on the 11th through to the 18th of February.
Michael, OE6MBG, is using the callsign 3B8/OE6MBG from Mauritius, IOTA Number AF-049, until the 23rd of February. Listen for him on 80 and 40 metres, where is he using CW, SSB and some FT8/FT4.
A team of operators using the callsign 8R1WA will be active from Guyana from the 19th through to the 27th of February. The team includes Alex IZ╪EGA, Paolo IZ╪EVI, Diego IZ╪EWJ and Luca IZ6DSQ. They will operate SSB and FT8 on 160-6 metres.
Phill, FK1TS is on the air as C21TS from Nauru, IOTA Number OC-031, until sometime in July. He is operating mainly FT8 but may try some SSB.
See the stations' pages on QRZ.com for QSL information and other operating details.
(425 DX BULLETIN)
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KICKER: A STATION WELL-GROUNDED BY A GROUNDHOG
SKEETER/ANCHOR: Just like amateur radio operators, Punxsutawney Phil, the famous American weather-predicting groundhog, needs the sun's cooperation to do his job every February. This year, as every year since the 1960s, hams in Pennsylvania were with him every step of the way. Jim Davis, W2JKD, ends our newscast with with this tribute to the weathercasting rodent.
JIM: A shadow was cast over the scene on February 2nd as Punxsutawney Phil, newly emerged from his burrow, looked down with sleepy eyes and saw the dark outline of his likeness. By tradition, that signals six more weeks of winter here in the Northern Hemisphere.
The Punxsutawney Area Amateur Radio Club, K3HWJ, who get on the air each year for a special event to mark this winter ritual, did what Phil could not: they were able to stay warm and comfy in their burrows. Judy Smith, KC3JAS, who operated from home on Monday - Groundhog Day - told Newsline that her husband reported temperatures, including wind chill, of minus 10 degrees Fahrenheit - that's minus 23 Centigrade - on the final day of the three-day activation. He told the seasoned POTA operator that she needed to stay indoors. She told Newsline [quote] "I was disappointed, to say the least." [endquote]
Phil's wintry prediction also disappointed many observers, including hams who were either snowbound or tired of the freezing cold, Phil was not winning a popularity contest anywhere.
The event itself did not disappoint anyone, however. Judy said that she and the other three operators, Bill Latta, KA3MKY, Dale Wood, KC3NFD and Mike Brennan KC2EGI, found the bands "amazing" for some of the time. The club logged a total of 556 contacts, most of them on SSB.
For the groundhog, this was nothing to lose sleep over: With the event over, Phil reportedly went right back into hibernation.
This is Jim Davis, W2JKD.
(JUDY SMITH, KC3JAS)
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Is 2026 the year YOUR ham radio haiku will be chosen to appear on the Newsline website? It can't happen unless you write one and send it in to us. Visit our website at arnewsline.org and as you compose your ode to your favorite on-the-air activity, we will help you use the correct number of syllables to make an authentic haiku. Submit your work and then sit back and wait to hear whether your inspired haiku will be highlighted on our website, where everyone can read it.
NEWSCAST CLOSE
With thanks to Amateur Radio Daily, Angela N3ARB; David Behar, K7DB; 425DX Bulletin; HamSCI; Judy Smith, KC3JAS; Matt, K2EAG; NASA; Northern Arizona DX Association; QRZ.com Forums; shortwaveradio.de; Space.com; 3Y╪K Website; Wireless Institute of Australia; Young Ladies Radio League; and you our listeners, that's all from the Amateur Radio Newsline. We remind our listeners that Amateur Radio Newsline is an all-volunteer non-profit organization that incurs expenses for its continued operation. If you wish to support us, please visit our website at arnewsline.org and know that we appreciate you all. We also remind our listeners that if you like our newscast, please leave us a 5-star rating wherever you subscribe to us.
For now, with Caryn Eve Murray KD2GUT at the news desk in New York, and our news team worldwide, I'm Skeeter Nash N5ASH in Jonesboro Arkansas saying 73. As always we thank you for listening. We wish all our listeners the very best for the year ahead in 2026. Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) is Copyright 2026. Amateur Radio Newsline retains ownership of its material even when retransmitted elsewhere. All rights are reserved.
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