Japan’s OMOTENASHI, the world’s smallest moon lander, will have an X-band and UHF communication system, although it will not carry an amateur band transponder. OMOTENASHI is a 6U CubeSat set for launch via a NASA SLS rocket as early as February 2022. It will have a mission period of from 4 to 5 days. The name is an acronym for Outstanding Moon Exploration Technologies demonstrated by Nano Semi-...

Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) has been named Amateur Radio Newsline Newsmaker of the Year.

“This group, based across 15 countries around the world, has been supporting amateur radio from the space station and performing school links around the world to astronauts for over 20 years,” the announcement pointed out. “As well as enthusing youngsters in the magic of space an...

A replica 1BCG transmitter will operate as W2AN/1BCG on ±1.820 MHz on CW, from The Vintage Radio and Communications Museum of Connecticut. “We’re using type 204-A tubes,” said Mark Erdle, AE2EA, of the Antique Wireless Association. “The original transmitter used type 204 tubes. The primary difference is that the 204-A tubes had a thoriated filament that reduced the filament current. Transmissio...

The ARRL Executive Committee met on October 25 in virtual session, with President Rick Roderick, K5UR, presiding.

In his report, CEO David Minster, NA2AA, noted that the revised ARRL Articles of Incorporation approved during the July 2021 Board meeting had been filed with the State of Connecticut. He also discussed the delayed timing of the delivery of the December issue of QST. He advised that ...

This is the November 2021 report of Volunteer Monitor (VM) Program activity. The VM program is a joint initiative between ARRL and the FCC to enhance compliance in the Amateur Radio Service.

• Operators in Ardmore, Tennessee; Lithonia, Georgia; Coconut Creek and Miramar, Florida, and East Bridgewater, Massachusetts, were issued Advisory Notices regarding excessive bandwidth, contrary to FCC rules....

Virginia Section Manager Joe Palsa, K3WRY, of North Chesterfield, Virginia, died on December 7. An ARRL Life Member, he was 80.

Palsa was appointed Virginia Section Manager in February 2015, and had since won elections in his own right. A radio amateur for more than 50 years, he also served as the Virginia State Government Liaison.

Palsa held a PhD in electronics technology and was a Life Member ...

On Tuesday, December 7, 2021, the US Senate confirmed FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel for a new term at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), on a vote of 68-31. President Joe Biden appointed Rosenworcel as Chair of the FCC in late October. The FCC will continue with two Democrats and two Republicans led by Chairwoman Rosenworcel.

ARRL  The National Association for Amateur Radio® previ...

On December 1, Intrepid-DX Group President Paul Ewing, N6PSE, announced the prize recipients of the second annual Youth “Dream Rig” Essay Contest. Ewing said all essays received “were all unique in thought and very well articulated.” Extra points were given for correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling, he said.

“Most of the essays gave unique perspectives on how to reach out and connect with t...

ARRL Northwestern Division Assistant Director Phil Kane, K2ASP, of Beaverton, Oregon, died on November 24. An ARRL Life Member, he was 84.

An FCC engineer, Kane rose to the post of FCC San Francisco District Director and administered many ham radio and commercial license exams during his nearly 30 years there. He was a registered professional engineer in several jurisdictions.

Active as an Amateu...

Senator Richard Blumenthal (CT) received an affirmative reply from FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel when he asked her to commit to providing his office “an update on the steps that the FCC is taking to support amateur radio operators.” The Senator posed the written question as part of Rosenworcel’s renomination hearing conducted by the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee.

Bl...