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.

**

BILLBOARD CART

**
DELAY FOR BOUVET ISLAND 3Y0K 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 you're keeping your ears tuned for the start of the 3Y0K
DXpedition to Bouvet Island, the thing you're going to need more than
good propagation, sufficient power, a good antenna and, of course, good
timing is...patience. The team's 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 team's 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.

(3Y0K WEBSITE)

**
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)

**

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, WB0OEW, 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)

**
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 R dio Emiss?o, 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 friendship?-"values that have always been at the heart of LABRE."
[endquote]

This is Jeremy Boot G4NJH.

(LABRE, AMATEUR NEWS DAILY, FACEBOOK)

**
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)

**
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 year's 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)

**
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.

**
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)

**
YLS MARK INT'L WOMEN'S DAY WITH POTA PARTY

ANCHOR: One of the many amateur radio events happening around the time
of International Women's Day in March will be near New York State's
scenic Erie Canal. Andy Morrison K9AWM tells us what's being planned.

ANDY: It's a YL POTA Party - and this one on Saturday, March 7th
isn't 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 park's 9 p.m. closing time. This is an
independent event and is not sponsored by the Parks on the Air
organization. International Women's Day is observed this year on
Sunday, March 8th.

The YL POTA Party is timed to coincide with International Women's
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)

**
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 student's
full-time pursuit of a bachelor's or graduate degree at any
accredited university.

Students who are enrolled in part-time studies can apply for the Martha
Wessel, K0EPE, 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)

**
WORLD OF DX

In the World of DX, Heli, DD0VR 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 IZ0EGA, Paolo IZ0EVI, Diego IZ0EWJ 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)

**
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)

**
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;
3Y0K 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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