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Subject: Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2463 for Friday, January 10th 2025
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Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2463 for Friday, January 10th 2025
Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2463 with a release date of
Friday, January 10th, 2025 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.

The following is a QST. A record fine for a US ham in an
emergency-interference case. A packet radio network prepares for a
major expansion -- and December storm damage keeps some repeaters in
Australia off the air. All this and more as Amateur Radio Newsline
Report Number 2463 comes your way right now.

** 
BILLBOARD CART

**
UNPRECEDENTED FINE FOR HAM IN EMERGENCY-INTERFERENCE CASE

SKEETER/ANCHOR: Our top story takes us to the US state of Idaho, where
a ham radio operator is facing an unprecedented fine from the FCC in a
case of interference with emergency responders. Kent Peterson KC0DGY
has the details.

KENT: Rejecting the appeal of a ham radio operator who interfered with
emergency responders' communications during a forest fire, the FCC is
seeking a fine that is unprecedented in such cases.

Explaining its $34,000 penalty against the Idaho radio operator, FCC
Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel wrote: [quote] "You can't interfere with
public safety communications." [Endquote] The FCC's action came after
finding Jason Frawley, WA7CQ, was not authorized to transmit on the
frequency being used by Forest Service firefighters battling the blaze
in July of 2021. Although the FCC issued the notice of liability in
2022, they did not adopt the penalty until late December. The agency
did not explain the delay.

Frawley has acknowledged he was on the government frequency, 151.145
MHz, but told the FCC he had no malicious intent and was simply trying
to assist the firefighters' aircraft being used to suppress the flames.
He told the FCC he cannot afford to pay the penalty and submitted
financial documents to support his request. He has asked that the
penalty be reduced or eliminated.

This is Kent Peterson KC0DGY.

(RADIO WORLD, FCC)

**
STORM DAMAGE KEEPS AUSTRALIAN REPEATERS OFF AIR

SKEETER/ANCHOR: An important group of repeaters in New South Wales,
Australia, will remain silent throughout January, after suffering storm
damage in mid-December. Graham Kemp VK4BB has that update.

GRAHAM: Several repeaters operated by the Oxley Region Amateur Radio
Club VK2BOR were knocked off the air during storms on the 13th of
December. The damage was said to cause the worst disruption of
operations in more than half-a-century for the repeaters at the Middle
Brother site near Port Macquarie.

According to news reports, the host's power distribution system
suffered lightning damage. The repeaters, which use the callsign
VK2RPM, are not expected back in service until later this month.

This is Graham Kemp VK4BB.

(VK2NEWS, WIA)

**
SWISS PUBLIC BROADCASTER SHUTS ANALOGUE FM REPEATERS

SKEETER/ANCHOR: Hundreds of FM transmitters have been shut down by
Switzerland's public broadcaster, as radio programming there continues
to move to different modes of distribution. Jeremy Boot G4NJH has more
for us.

JEREMY: FM radio broadcasting continued its vanishing act when in
Switzerland on the 31st of December, when the Swiss Broadcasting
Corporation shut off an estimated 850 analogue FM transmitters, leaving
listeners the options of either Internet radio or DAB+ for stations
SRF1, SRF2 Kultur and SRF3.

The changeover by the nation's public broadcaster now leaves about 24
private radio stations still transmitting their programmes over
broadcast FM. However, they are expected to follow the SBC's move,
completing the transition no later than the end of 2026.

The Swiss Federal Office of Communications reports that the popularity
of DAB+ and Internet radio has been growing consistently since 2015
while only 10 percent of the nation's radio listeners still tune in to
broadcast FM - most whilst driving in their vehicles.

This is Jeremy Boot G4NJH.

(SWLING POST, SWISSINFO.CH)

**
AMATEUR RADIO LESSONS FOR CIVIL SERVICE OFFICERS IN INDIA

SKEETER/ANCHOR: Improving the efficiency and quality of emergency
traffic was at the heart of recent ham radio training sessions for
civil service officers in India. Jason Daniels VK2LAW explains what was
involved.

JASON: Emergency communication was front and centre for a group of 30
officers in the West Bengal Civil Service who recently completed
amateur radio training as part of their duties in a part of India often
beset by weather emergencies and natural disasters.  State officials
asked the West Bengal Radio Club to lead the instruction, which
included an overview of the wireless laws from the Ministry of
Telecommunication. The officers learned about their responsibilities as
licensees and received demonstrations on the various modes of
transmission during emergencies. As in other parts of the world, radio
amateurs throughout India partner regularly with state agencies to pass
emergency traffic and facilitate evacuations, rescues and civilian
preparedness. 

This is Jason Daniels VK2LAW.

(THE MILLENNIUM POST)

'** PACKET RADIO NETWORK LOOKING TO EXPAND

SKEETER/ANCHOR: As packet radio gains wider usage among hams involved
in emergency communications, one East Coast network is looking to add
more nodes to deepen its reach. Andy Morrison K9AWM tells us what's
planned.

ANDY: Using mostly NVIS-range links, the Packet Radio RF Forwarding
Network, or TPRFN, connects standalone nodes and VHF/UHF packet
networks to HF bands. The result is efficient, low-bandwidth
communication valued for its simple infrastructure and reliability as
well as its interoperability with email, internet gateways and SMS.
Radios, modems and simple hardware form its backbone.

In the US, the network reaches as far south as Florida and as far north
as Maine. Operators are now hoping to create an NVIS-link between Maine
and NY and another one between Florida and Virginia. Just as important
is its goal of adding more nodes, especially those connecting the East
Coast to any states farther west. At present there is only one node
west of the region and that is in Wisconsin. According to the website,
the network also needs more nodes in the northeastern US.

All of this planning comes as the operators prepare for their first net
of the new year, which will take place on Sunday the 19th of January at
00:00 UTC. Additional details can be found on their website at tprfn
dot net (tprfn.net)

As the website notes, the ultimate goal is to [quote] "provide valuable
digital communications without the need for the Internet." [Endquote]

This is Andy Morrison K9AWM.

(QRZ.COM, AMATEUR RADIO DAILY, THE PACKET RADIO RF FORWARDING NETWORK)


**

PRIVILEGES EXTENDED IN GERMANY FOR 6M and 4M

SKEETER/ANCHOR: Amateurs in Germany received the welcome news that
their access to  the 6- and 4-metre bands is being extended. We have
the details from Jeremy Boot G4NJH.

JEREMY: The German regulatory office for telecommunications has granted
temporary access for 6 metres for Class E licence holders at 100 watts
between 50 and 50.4 MHz and using reduced power of 25 watts between
50.4 and 52 MHz on a non-interference basis.

The trial period lasts until December of 2025 for Class E amateurs, the
equivalent of the US General Class operator.

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