Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2512 for Friday, December 19th, 2025

Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2512 with a release date of Friday, December 19th, 2025 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.

The following is a QST. Researchers say radio will be affected by a cooling ionosphere. A new NASA video gives a closeup look at ham radio on the ISS -- and our traditional holiday gift to you, "The Night Before Christmas, Ham Radio Style." All this and more as Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2512 comes your way right now.

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BILLBOARD CART

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REPORT: COOLING IONOSPHERE COULD DISRUPT, RESHAPE RADIO COMMUNICATION

PAUL/ANCHOR: Our top story takes us to Japan, where researchers studying the ionosphere have discovered that the cooling of temperatures up there may cause major shifts in our ability to communicate by radio. Jason Daniels VK2LAW brings us up to date.

JASON: The continued cooling of the ionosphere 100 km above sea level may someday disrupt and reshape shortwave communications, according to scientists at Kyushu University in Japan. The drop in ionospheric temperatures is the result of rising CO2 levels - the same phenomenon identified as the source of global warming down here on Earth.

The researchers' study, published in Geophysical Research Letters, found that the cooling ionosphere lowers the air density and speeds up wind circulation - two factors that have an impact on satellite orbits and space debris. In addition, the ability to communicate by radio also changes as a result of small-scale plasma irregularities. Shortwave radio, radio broadcasting, air traffic control and maritime communication could all experience a variety of major changes, the scientists said.

The study leader, Huixin Liu of Kyushu's Faculty of Science, told the Physics World website: [quote] "This may be good news for ham radio amateurs, as you will likely receive more signals from faraway countries more often. For radio communications, however, especially at HF and VHF frequencies employed for aviation, ships and rescue operations, it means more noise and frequent disruption in communication and hence safety." [endquote]

She said that in the long term, the telecommunications industry may need to respond to these changes by either adjusting their frequencies or changing the design of their equipment.

This is Jason Daniels VK2LAW.

(PHYS.ORG, WIA, eHam)

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ISS EXPEDITION 73 CREW RETURNS TO EARTH

PAUL/ANCHOR ISS Expedition 73 has ended with the return to Earth of a NASA astronaut and two Roscosmos cosmonauts. Graham Kemp VK4BB has that update.

GRAHAM: Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov and Alexey Zubritsky returned to Earth with US astronaut Jonny Kim, KJ5HKP, after 245 days in space aboard the International Space Station. Their landing in Kazahstan via Soyuz MS-27 on the 9th of December, ended Kim's tenure, which included both Expedition 72 and 73. It was the first trip to the space station for both Kim and Zubritsky. Kim received his amateur radio operator's license in July of 2024. While in space, Kim accomplished a number of important milestones, including participation in the 2025 ARRL Field Day in the US with fellow astronaut Nichole Ayers KJ5GWI. He was also part of the space station's first transmission since 2018 of HamTV since its repairs and return to service. That took place in October with a Scout group in the UK.

This is Graham Kemp VK4BB.

(AMSAT NEWS, ARISS)

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NEW NASA VIDEO GIVES A WINDOW INTO ARISS EXPERIENCE

PAUL/ANCHOR: A new video from NASA is giving viewers a window into the experience of Amateur Radio on the International Space Station. Neil Rapp WB9VPG tells us more.

NEIL: Schools and other educational institutions who've enjoyed student contacts with astronauts on board the International Space Station already know the value of this respected program: It places an emphasis on science and radio education and gives a window into how ham radio works as a powerful educational tool.

Now everyone can experience communication - at least one-way communication - with a NASA astronaut in a new video released by NASA, the US space agency. In a little less than four-minutes, the NASA video features astronaut Nichole Ayers, KJ5GWI, explaining to viewers how school contacts are made with the help of ham radio operators around the world. Addressing students directly, she says that the contacts are meaningful but necessarily brief because the ISS is moving around the earth at a speed of 17,500 miles per hour.

The video was recorded - appropriately- during Expedition 73 which launched in the spring of this year.

To see the video, click on the link that appears in the text version of this week's newscast at arnewsline.org

This is Neil Rapp WB9VPG.

[DO NOT READ: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egnzgGG3wwE ]

(ARISS)

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12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS EVENT IN ITS 7TH YEAR

PAUL/ANCHOR: If you haven't already worked any of the stations for the special 12 Days of Christmas Event, you still have time. This year's lineup of Swans-a-Swimming, Geese-a-Laying and Calling Birds have been joined by a new bonus station based in Puerto Rico with the callsign WP3S/DOC. QSOs are being made on the HF bands using CW and SSB through to Christmas Day, December 25th.

Everyone who works at least one station will be entitled to a downloadable certificate. Work all of the 12 Days stations and you'll get a Clean Sweep. If your log includes the station in Puerto Rico, that will earn you a "Clean Sweep Plus." Certificates will be available after the 31st of January. See the QRZ.com page for K2RYD for more details.

Remember, operators are not accepting or sending QSL cards - but they ARE sending their very best for the season.

(12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS EVENT)

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SABLE ISLAND DXPEDITION GETS $25,000 GRANT

PAUL/ANCHOR: Next year's DXpedition to Sable Island has just received a boost in funding to support the team, as we hear from Andy Morrison K9AWM.

ANDY: A $25,000 grant from the Northern California DX Foundation is being provided to the team heading to Sable Island in March for the CYØS activation.

According to the team's website, the dates have been set for March 19 - 31.

The team leaders are Murray, WA4DAN and Glenn, WØGJ, who will operate alongside veteran DXpeditioners Pat N2IEN, Lee WW2DX, Ralph K0IR, Jay K4ZLE, Mike K9NW, and Scott NE9U. In a comment on the DXNews.com website, Murray acknowledged the Northern California DX Foundation's ongoing support for various DXpeditions like this one -- support that spans a period of more than 33 years.

Sable Island weather is expected to be a challenge at the time the team's airplane arrives. It is usually a cold and snowy time, sometimes with gale-force winds. The island is about 300 km, or 186 miles, east of Halifax, Nova Scotia.

This is Andy Morrison K9AWM.

(DX-WORLD.NET)

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SILENT KEY: BOB WHELAN, G3PJT, FORMER RSGB PRESIDENT

PAUL/ANCHOR: In the UK, the Commonwealth Contest Community and the Radio Society of Great Britain are grieving the loss of an advocate and a friend -- an active ham who twice served the radio society as its president. Jeremy Boot G4NJH tells us about him.

JEREMY: Although he made his living in the world of high-tech as a solid-state physicist, Bob Whelan, G3PJT, was, in so many ways, a full time radio amateur. He received his licence in 1961, focusing on CW operating on HF and LF. As his enthusiasm grew for contesting, he made a name for himself as a supporter of the Commonwealth Contest, a CW contest for operators in British Commonwealth countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Canada and, of course, the UK. He also built an online presence for its widely scattered participants, eventually writing a book about the contest's evolution.

Bob had also been actively involved in the IARU and the First Class Operators Club, with a growing involvement in the Radio Society of Great Britain over the years. His participation grew from being a volunteer on the society's HF Committee to becoming president, serving from 2002 to 2003 and again from 2013 to 2014.

Bob became a Silent Key on 4 December.

This is Jeremy Boot G4NJH.

(RSGB)

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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 AH6LE repeater in Beavercreek and Wilsonville, Oregon, on Sundays at 6 p.m. local time.

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ARRL TO HOST HAMSCI WORKSHOP AT NEARBY COLLEGE

PAUL/ANCHOR: If you are looking to attend the next workshop of HamSCI, you will find yourself right in the backyard of the ARRL headquarters. We have more details from Jack Parker W8ISH.

JACK: Through the years, the annual workshop of HamSCI, the citizen science investigation organization, has been hosted at a number of locations in a number of US states. Next year it moves to Connecticut for the 9th annual event, which will take place on March 14th and 15th. It's being hosted by the ARRL on the campus of Central Connecticut State University. ARRL's headquarters is located in nearby Newington, Connecticut, which means the league will be welcoming workshop visitors to headquarters and encouraging many to get on the air from W1AW, the Hiram P. Maxim Memorial Station.

The workshop theme is "Discovering Science through Ham Radio." The varied presentations 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.

For details and registration information, visit the link in the text version of this week's newscast at arnewsline.org

This is Jack Parker W8ISH.

[DO NOT READ: https://hamsci.org/hamsci2026 ]

(ARRL, HAMSCI)

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VERMONT MEDICAL RESERVE CORPS WELCOMES FORMER RACES HAMS

PAUL/ANCHOR: Our next story takes us to Vermont where former members of the newly dismantled RACES program are learning new skills as part of a new team. Randy Sly W4XJ has the details.

RANDY: Hams in Vermont who had been members of the recently dismantled Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service - or RACES - have begun joining the team at the Medical Reserve Corps of the state's Department of Health.

According to Kate Hammond, KC1DUY, manager of the Medical Reserve Corps' communications section, Vermont's shift in deployment of radio volunteers is part of a changeover going on in many states. She told Newsline in an email that [quote]: "...emergency communications is emerging as a Medical Reserve Corps mission in more states, but the creation of the mission set in Vermont is a work that is specific to us." [endquote] She said that toward that end, John Colt NV1Y, the hospital net coordinator for the Medical Reserve Corps, and Heather Rigney KC1PMR, the corps statewide coordinator, are overseeing the creation of documents for the newly configured team. Former RACES materials are being used to help guide future practices of Medical Reserve Corps operators, who will attend orientation meetings soon. The Vermont Healthcare Net has also become more active. Kate said that members will be affiliated with one of the eight local Medical Reserve Corps Units for any drill or event -- and could be deployed as well to shelters when a communications outage occurs.

Although Josh Cohen, KB1NIJ, a longtime RACES member and an experienced net control operator, told Newsline that he is sorry to see the RACES program go, he is preparing to join the Medical Reserve Corps team. Josh is among many hams eager to continue using their skills.

This is Randy Sly W4XJ.

(KATE HAMMOND, KC1DUY; JOSH COHEN, KB1NIJ).

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WORLD OF DX

In the World of DX, there are some more holiday stations to add to the on-air festivities. The YO3KRM Radio Club of Romania is putting three Christmas Special Callsigns on the air through to the 31st of December. Listen for the Santa callsign YOØHOHO [WHY OH ZERO HO HO], the Christmas spirit callsign YOØXMAS [WHY OH ZERO X MAS] and the Rudolph callsign YRØUDOLPH [WHY R ZERO YOU DOLPH]. Certificates are available for successful contacts.

The annual Russian New Year radio marathon will be on the air from the 29th throuh to the 11th of January. The Miller DX Club and the Rostov Oblast branch of the Russian Amateur Radio Union will be putting a number of special callsigns on the air, including R2Ø26A, R2Ø26C, R2Ø26L, R2Ø26N, UE26HNY and UE26NY, among others.

Listen for the special event callsign HB7ØIPA marking the 70th anniversary of the International Police Association's Swiss branch. They will be on the air until the 31st of December on various HF bands and via the QO-100 satellite.

Jan, DL4XT will be active holiday style as 4K/DL4XT from Azerbaijan between the 26th of December and the 3rd of January, using CW, SSB and FT8. Find Jan on 40 metres as well as bands from 20 through 10 metres.

(425 DX BULLETIN)

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KICKER: NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS, HAM RADIO STYLE

PAUL/ANCHOR: We end this newscast with a Newsline holiday tradition - a ham log instead of a yule log. Listen to this much-loved adaptation of the Clement Clarke Moore classic - proof that there is still magic in the season and even moreso on the amateur bands this time of year. It was written anonymously - but is delivered beautifully by our own Jim Damron N8TMW.

JIM: Twas the night before Christmas and all through the shack
The rig was turned off and the mic cord lay slack

The antenna rotor had made its last turn, the tubes in the linear
had long ceased to burn.

I sat there relaxing and took off my specs, preparing to daydream of
Armchair DX-- When suddenly outside I heard such a sound, I dashed
out the door to see what was around.

The moon shone down brightly and lighted the night. For sure
propagation for the low bands was right.

I peered toward the roof where I heard all the racket and there was
some guy in a red, fur-trimmed jacket!

I stood there perplexed in a manner quite giddy: Just who WAS this
stranger? di di dah dah di dit?

He looked very much like an FCC guy who'd come to check up on some
bad TVI.

I shouted to him: "Old man...QR-Zed?"
"Hey you by the chimney all dressed up in red!"

I suddenly knew when I heard sleigh bells jingle
The guy on the rooftop was Jolly Kris Kringle

He had a big sack full of amateur gear which was a big load
for his prancing reindeer.
Transmitters, receivers, for cabinets and racks
Some meters and scopes and a lot of coax.

He said not a word 'cause he'd finished his work.
He picked up his sack and he turned with a jerk.
As he leaped to his sleigh, he shouted with glee
And I knew in a moment he'd be QRT.

I heard him transmit as he flew o'er the trees
"Merry Christmas to all, and to all seventy-three."

"Ho Ho Ho"

(AUTHOR UNKNOWN)

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HAIKU AND CLOSE

If you haven't sent in your ham radio haiku yet, what's been stopping you? Visit our website at arnewsline.org and as you compose your ode to your favorite online 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 you are the winner of this week's challenge. The winner gets a shout-out on our website, where everyone can find the winning haiku.

NEWSCAST CLOSE

With thanks to Amateur News Daily; AMSAT News Service; ARRL; ARISS; David Behar, K7DB; Facebook; 425DX Bulletin; Josh Cohen, KB1NIJ, Kate Hammond, KC1DUY; QRZ.com; Radio Society of Great Britain; shortwaveradio.de; 12 Days of Christmas event; Wireless Institute of Australia; YouTube; 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 Paul Braun WD9GCO in Valparaiso Indiana saying 73. As always we thank you for listening. Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) is Copyright 2025. Amateur Radio Newsline retains ownership of its material even when retransmitted elsewhere. All rights are reserved.

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