From Newsgroup: rec.radio.amateur.misc

Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2526 for Friday, March 27th, 2026 Amateur
Radio Newsline Report Number 2526 with a release date of Friday, March
27th, 2026 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.

The following is a QST. Hams respond to historic flooding in Hawaii.
The Autism Awareness special event gets underway around the world --and
get out on the air, just by.....getting out! All this and more as
Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2526 comes your way right now.

**
HAMS RESPOND TO HISTORIC FLOODS IN HAWAII

JIM/ANCHOR: Our top story takes us to Hawaii, which was slammed with
two so-called "atmospheric river storms" that brought heavy rains and
high winds, flooding all the state's islands and sweeping many houses
off their foundations. ARES and RACES hams were activated, providing
realtime ground reports for weather and field information on Oahu and
Maui. ARRL Pacific Section Manager Alan KH6TU/AD6E told Newsline in an
email that VHF linked repeater systems carried individual voice reports
sent to EOCs. Meanwhile, federal emergency ICS-213 forms were
transmitted carrying messages and incident reports over peer-to-peer
Winlink via VHF or on HF.

As emergency crews cleared landslides and repaired communications and
power lines, hams continued to update road and weather conditions,
assisting with coordinated communications. As Newsline went to
production, recovery continued after what was being called the state's
worst flooding in two decades.

(STACY HOLBROOK, KH6OWL, ALAN MAENCHEN AD6E / KH6TU, MICHAEL MILLER
KH6ML, ASSOCIATED PRESS)

**
FUNDS WOULD EXPAND, UPGRADE NOAA'S WEATHER RADIO NETWORK

JIM/ANCHOR: Even as Canada moves to shut down its nationwide weather
radio services, lawmakers in the US are looking to commit funds that
would modernize and expand the radio network of the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Agency. Kent Peterson KC0DGY brings us up to date.

KENT: Lawmakers in Washington, DC, have moved ahead with their
commitment to invest $100 million in improved antennas and transmitter equipment to expand coverage for the VHF weather radio service of NOAA.
A bipartisan measure that authorizes the expense was passed recently by
members of the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology.

An estimated 1,030 such weather stations hold licenses to operate on
162 MHz. The antenna and transmitter additions and upgrades focus on
NOAA's radio service in remote areas of the US that have a higher risk
of extreme weather. Beyond VHF improvements, the bill calls for NOAA to
explore options on the microwave band to further strengthen the
network's ability to communicate warnings about hazardous conditions.
Other language in the bill directs NOAA to explore the possibility of
satellite backup or partnerships with commercial providers.

The action in Washington stands in sharp contrast to a recent
announcement by the Meteorological Service of Canada - that nation's
equivalent of NOAA - that it was ending Weatheradio, its own national
VHF radio weather service/

The US lawmakers' measure moves next for a vote in the full House but
is not yet on the calendar. The action on Capitol Hill comes almost a
year after the White House announced that the administration was
looking to cut NOAA's weather research centers, particularly those
focused on understanding climate change.

This is Kent Peterson KC0DGY.

(RADIO WORLD)

**
INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIP CALLS CQ FOR AUTISM AWARENESS

JIM/ANCHOR: Amateur radio's largest international cooperative special
event is getting on the air for a week with an important message about
people with autism. Kevin Trotman N5PRE explains the commitment that
unites this worldwide team.

KEVIN: Now in its fourth year, the World Autism Awareness Week special
event will again carry the message that "it's OK to be different." It's
a theme uniting amateurs across oceans, with callsigns that include W2A
here in the US and others in participating nations such as Italy, South
Africa, Russia, New Zealand, Australia, Argentina, Israel and West
Malaysia.

This weeklong special event begins on Wednesday the 1st of April. It
has gained momentum as it brings advocacy on the air for those with
autism spectrum disorder - a developmental disorder seen among people
of all races and nationalities.

More details about the event and its callsigns - as well as useful
information about autism spectrum disorder - can be found on the
QRZ.com page of W2A.

This is Kevin Trotman N5PRE.

(QRZ.COM)


**
CHARTERED FLIGHT TO CARRY INTERNATIONAL TEAM TO ISS

JIM/ANCHOR: The European Space Agency has announced plans to charter a
flight to the ISS for its astronauts and some international partners.
Dave Lee M7TLB fills us in on the details.

DAVE: Just two years before the International Space Station's scheduled retirement, it is expected to receive a crew of European astronauts
delivered via a chartered SpaceX Crew Dragon mission.

Josef Aschbacher, director general of the European Space Agency, said
at a March 19 press briefing that that the ESA was chartering the
flight to give the agency's astronauts an experience aboard the ISS to
conduct research before the spacecraft is decommissioned and deorbited
in 2030. The trip by the Provided Institutional Crew is being proposed
for early 2028.

The ESA expects to include international partners in the mission but
has not named any potential partner nations - nor has it said how many
non-ESA astronauts would be included.

Both the UAE and Australian Space Agencies' websites report that
agreements were signed in recent years with the European Space Agency committing to deeper collaboration in space-exploration initiatives.

This is Dave Lee M7TLB.

(SPACE NEWS, SPACE.GOV.AE, AUSTRALIAN SPACE AGENCY)

**

NEW NET BUILDING BRIDGE WITH HISTORICALLY BLACK CAMPUSES

JIM/ANCHOR: A weekly net has begun exploring how amateur radio can
provide mentorship at Historically Black Colleges and Universities in
the US. Travis Lisk N3ILS tells us what's being planned.

TRAVIS: The OMIK Amateur Radio Association has launched the first of
its Tuesday night nets designed to build connections with Historically
Black College and Universities throughout the US. The ham radio
organization was originally created in August of 1952 as a welcoming
group for Black amateurs seeking membership without having to face discrimination. OMIK eventually hopes to extend its expertise and the
hand of friendship to many of the more than 100 historically Black US
campuses and their faculty, alumni, parents and students.

Net check-ins begin at 8 p.m. Eastern Time Tuesdays which is 0100 UTC
Wednesday on the OMIK Conference server on Echolink.

The net is one part of the group's emerging commitment to the campuses.
For OMIK members, the goal will ultimately bring opportunities to
provide service and make connections across the generations. On-campus
visits - and even on-air activations - will help students gain mentors
in STEM and STEAM learning and, of course, amateur radio.

Net controller Jesse Alexander WB2IFS, the developer of the program,
said the net is just the beginning.

This is Travis Lisk N3ILS.

(JESSE ALEXANDER, WB2IFS)

**
OVERWHELMING RESPONSE TO PLUTO ANNIVERSARY EVENT

JIM/ANCHOR: Despite equipment failures, winter weather closures and
operator illness, the W7P Pluto Discovery Anniversary Special Event
concluded on February 22nd with strong results. Randy Sly, W4XJ has the details.

RANDY: The team of amateurs for W7P, while operating portable much of
the time from the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona, along with
W7P/0 and W7P/P, made over 6500 QSOs with 81 countries. In its six-year history, this event saw significantly higher SSB results and the second
highest volume of QSL cards ever received.

Doug Tombaugh, N3PDT, nephew of Clyde Tombaugh, the astronomer who
discovered Pluto in 1930, along with his team of operators in the
Kansas City area, made over 2200 contacts as W7P/0, which was a 70
percent increase over last year.

Organizers heard from the special event's chasers that they learned
more about Pluto than they ever knew and especially enjoyed being able
to speak with Doug. Bob Wertz, NF7E, event coordinator, told Newsline
that despite a rocky start, W7P was a success by every meaningful
measure â-" strong QSO totals, excellent public engagement, and
enthusiastic feedback from operators worldwide.

This is Randy Sly, W4XJ

(BOB WERTZ, NF7E)

**
BREAK HERE: Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur
Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including
the AA9RT repeater on Sundays at 7 pm local time in St. Clair, Illinois

**
SILENT KEY: DISASTER-RESPONSE OPERATOR S. ARUNA KUMAR, VU3VGP

JIM/ANCHOR: A respected radio operator in India who could be counted on
to provide vital support in calamities has become a Silent Key, We hear
more about him from Graham Kemp VK4BB.

GRAHAM: Radio amateurs who knew and operated their radios alongside S.
Aruna Kumar, VU3VGP, were remembering his kind and helpful nature and
how it complemented his radio skills. The National Institute of Amateur
Radio, where he was once on staff, reported that he became a Silent Key
at midnight on the 17th of March in Rajasthan.

The notice said that during his work at the National Institute and
later, with the Brahma Kumaris, he was active in helping with emergency communication and disaster relief.

S. Aruna Kumar was 57.

This is Graham Kemp VK4BB.

(FACEBOOK, NATIIONAL INSTITUTE OF AMATEUR RADIO)

**
RADIO CLUB OF AMERICA HONORS YOUNG PROFESSIONALS

JIM/ANCHOR: The Radio Club of America and International Wireless
Communications Expo honored five young communications professionals,
including at least one ham radio operator, at a special breakfast on
Thursday, March 19 during the 2026 IWC Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Daniel Garcia W2DIY tells us who they are.

DANIEL: The Young Professionals program of the RCA and IWCE celebrates
industry professionals who have at least two years experience in
wireless communications and who are no more than 40 years of age. The
RCA website calls these young professionals [quote] "the next
generation of innovators shaping the field." [endquote]

This year, the program recognized at least one amateur radio operator:
Andy Huynh, KA6NDY, a telecommunications systems engineer in the
Interoperable Radio Systems Division of the County of Los Angeles'
Internal Services Department. His work on the Spectrum Management Team
includes a specialty in interference mitigation. He also supports mission-critical public safety communications

Other honorees are Precious Fodor, who serves as the National Service
Manager at Eastern Communications Ltd.; Max Johnson, an electrical
engineer at Dark Wolf Ventures in Colorado, a firm specializing in
advanced radio and satellite communications systems; Sean Martin, a
sales professional in the aerospace and defense Industry; and Chris
Vargas, whose 10-year career in sales has most recently brought him
into consumer electronics. He is presently working for Icom.

The group was praised by attendees for their achievements and for the
promise their careers hold in shaping the field of wireless
communications in new directions.

This is Daniel Garcia W2DIY.

(AMATEUR RADIO DAILY, RCA WEBSITE)

**
SPECIAL EVENT REMEMBERS THE TITANIC

JIM/ANCHOR: A special event remembering one of history's most famous
ocean liners is approaching. Jeremy Boot, G4NJH has more details:

JEREMY: Mark the date of 14th April on your calendar. If you know your
history, you'll recall that at 23:40 ship's time on that day, the RMS
Titanic struck an iceberg in the North Atlantic, bringing its inaugural
sailing to a fatal end.

Mark this year's calendar, as well, from 0000 UTC on the 10th April to
2359 on the 15th April. That time period marks the date of the luxury
liner's voyage from Southampton, which ended with its sinking. The
Titanic Memorial special event station EG-1912-T will be on the air
using all modes HF, VHF, UHF and SHF during that period, organised by
the Union of Radio Amateurs of Vigo-Val Miñor. A number of Spanish
citizens were on board the ship.

The activation will focus on CW to honour Jack Phillips and Harold
Bride, the first and second telegraphers on board. The activation also
honours Harold Cottam, the telegrapher on board the Carpathia, the
first ship to make a rescue effort at the site of the doomed Titanic.

There will be a special QSL card for hams contacting EG1912T in CW. All
other QSLs will be sent via the bureau, eQSL and LoTW.

This is Jeremy Boot G4NJH.

(QRZ.COM)

**

WORLD OF DX

In the World of DX, operators are calling QRZ with the callsign S21WD
from Bangladesh until the 1st of April. They are operating from islands
in the Khulna/Barisal Region Group, IOTA Number AS-140. Listen for them
on 160 - 10 metres where they are using CW, SSB and digital modes. They
are also making contacts via the QO-100 satellite.

Robert, DM7XX is on the air using SSB from Zambia as 9J2RO until the
30th of March. He is operating at the Fountain Gate Crafts & Trades
School. He will participate in the CQ WPX SSB contest on March 28th
and29th.

Listen for Helmut, DF7EE, operating from Madeira as CT9/DF7EE until the
1st of April. He will participate in the CQ WPX SSB contest using the
callsign CQ3W. His license permits operation on 60m, so expect to hear
him on this band outside of the contest.

A team of operators will be using the special callsign GB0OH while on
the Isle of Lewis, IOTA Number EU-010, in the Outer Hebrides, in
Scotland, from the 11th through to the 17th of April. A contact here
also counts toward the Worked All Britain Award as Square NB53. Listen
on the bands between 40 to 10 metres. Activity will be mainly SSB with
some FT8.

For QSL and additional operating details about these stations, see
their pages on QRZ.com

(RSGB, DXWORLD.NET, DX NEWS)

**
KICKER: OUT ON THE AIR AND UNDER BLUE SKIES

JIM/ANCHOR: For any listeners who believe you have to be a
DXpeditioner, a POTA or SOTA activator or even a Field Day participant
to find adventure, our final story of this week is about to prove you
wrong. Just hear what Ralph Squillace KK6ITB has to say.

RALPH: The most important connections we make in amateur radio aren't
the ones we solder on the workbench or fasten with a PL-259 in the
field. So says Jacques Redmond WW1ZRD, founder of Out on the Air, an
amateur radio activity that focuses on connections that are
human-to-human. You can make them on a hilltop, a sidewalk or even in
your garden. Jacques created the website outontheair dot com to
encourage hams to get off their couches and out of their houses or
apartments and give it a try.

The idea is as simple as sunshine itself. Or, as he says on his
website, call CQ from a rooftop or a beach at midnight. He writes:
[quote] â-˜If you left home and you're on the air â-" you're Out On
TheAir."

Jacques, whose preferred mode for now is SSB - at least until he learns
CW - treasures the sound of a real human voice as it rises above the
noise. To him, it [quote] "captures everything I love about ham radio."
He said that in the week or so since the activity launched along with
the website, radio operators have registered from around the world and
begun working toward the different awards.

It's no surprise that those awards, like the operating locations
themselves, are all registered on the honor system. That's because
Jacques believes first in humans on the air.

This is Ralph Squillace KK6ITB.

(JACQUES REDMOND, WW1ZRD)

**

NEWSCAST CLOSE

With thanks to Amateur Radio Daily, Associated Press; Alan Maenchen
AD6E/KH6TU; Australian Space Agency; Bob Wertz, NF7E; David Behar,
K7DB; Facebook; Jacques Redmond, WW1ZRD; Jesse Alexander, WB2IFS;
Michael Miller, KH6ML; National Institute of Amateur Radio; QRZ.com
Forums; Radio Club of America; Radio World; Radio Society of Great
Britain; shortwaveradio.de; Space News; Stacy Holbrook, KH6OWL;
Wireless Institute of Australia; 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 Jim Damron N8TMW in Charleston, West
Virginia saying 73. As always we thank you for listening. 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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