yl.beam #145 Oct. 2025

 yl.beam #145 Oct. 2025

Contents

• 2 Lady operators at E51MWA  Manihiki Atoll in the North Cook Islands
• Violetta Latham KN2P
• SYLRA (Scandinavian Young Ladies Radio Amateurs)  2026
• Kosovo
• Anne, OH2YL and Marko, OH2LGW - Z68YL & Z68OM – Kosovo  May 20-30, 2025
• Cows, Coax, and Kosovo:  The Z68YL/Z68OM DXpedition Adventure!
• Anne Landers VK7BYL (SK) & Tasmania Lighthouse, ILLW weekend 2019
• Contact & Calendar

******
Manihiki is an atoll in the northern group of the Cook Islands known informally as the "Island of Pearls", approximately 1,299 kilometres north of the capital island of Rarotonga, making it one of the most remote inhabitations in the Pacific Ocean.

2 Lady operators at E51MWA  Manihiki Atoll in the North Cook Islands
October 9-20, 2025.
DXCC #68 Most Wanted   IOTA: OC-014  CQ ZONE: 32  Locator: AH99
A team of six operators will operate CW, SSB, and FT8.
Five of the operators are from the Western Washington DX Club and together operated as T88WA on Babeldaob Island, Palau and H44WA on Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands.
The team members include Robert Fanfant, N7QT who is a veteran of many DXpeditions; YL Robin Amundson, WA7CPA; Jack Prendergast, N7JP; James McDonald, KC7EFP, and Brian Moran N9ADG. We proudly introduce our sixth team member, Violetta Latham, KN2P, a 21-year-old YL, an up-and-coming SSB contester, a pilot and flight instructor, and organizer of K3LR Team Exuberance.
Following our project Violetta will fly directly to PJ2T for an all-youth contest. Violetta and Robin will team up on the operating schedule. We believe it will be a unique pairing of two YL’s on the same operating schedule rotation on a mixed team DXpedition. Please see our website E51MWA for more information.
  https://www.m0urx.com/e51mwa-north-cook-islands/


Violetta Latham KN2P is a 20-year-old Extra Class ham with more big station experience under her belt than many operators twice her age. A commercial pilot, flight instructor, and aircraft mechanic apprentice, Violetta's days oscillate between runways and radios. Licensed since she was nine—thanks to a sibling competition organised by her father—she’s grown from a childhood in a Mennonite-Amish household with no internet to flying jets and working pileups from the Caribbean.
She’s operated from top-tier contesting stations like PJ2T, W3LPL, and K3LR as part of Team Exuberance, where she built deep ties with other rising stars like Marty NN1C and Levi K6JO. Her DXpedition résumé is growing fast: recent ops from St. Lucia (J62K), upcoming activation of the North Cook Islands (E51MWA), and a fully youth-led contest effort from PJ2T - CQ WW SSB 2025 October 24-26.
Contesting is her passion—especially phone on 10 meters, where she thrives in fast-paced pile-ups and unexpected openings, like the middle-of-the-night path to Australia from St. Lucia. Whether she's navigating DXpedition logistics or logging over-night contest shifts in unfamiliar time zones, Violetta is making a name for herself in the next generation of operators.   https://forums.qrz.com/index.php?threads/young-and-gifted-from-the-cockpit-to-the-contest-pileup.965991/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ADNB20Y4kY&t=72s    , Q5 Worldwide Ham Radio
*****
SYLRA (Scandinavian Young Ladies Radio Amateurs)  2026
Welcome to the SYLRA meeting on Fårö, Gotland 3-6 September 2026
Fårö is located north of the Gotland mainland and is reached by road ferry. Fårö is known for its strange nature, its rauks, its history, and of course Ingemar Bergman.
If you can stay a little longer than the meeting itself, Gotland is worth exploring.
You can get to Gotland by car ferry from either Oskarshamn or Nynäshamn to Visby. You can also fly to Visby. If you are not bringing your own car, or renting a car, we will arrange for you to be picked up from the boat or airport.
The meeting will take place at Fårö Conference, where there are various accommodation options. The voluntary radio organization, FRO, uses the venue as a training facility, so there will be radio equipment and antennas on site.
Please respond to Interest SURVEY, (open from Sept. 20th to Okt. 26th) on website
https://sylra.is/index.php/sylra-2026
******
Kosovo
The Republic of Kosovo, is a landlocked country in Southeast Europe. It is bordered by Albania to the southwest, Montenegro to the west, Serbia to the north and east, and North Macedonia to the southeast.
Pristina became the capital of Kosovo in 1947,  Pristina  continued to serve as the capital of Kosovo after its 2008 independence from Serbia.
As the newest capital city in Europe, Pristina has the physical remnants of  the old and new periods.  The further you go from the centre, the less likely you will be to hear English spoken. However, most people from Pristina, especially young people, speak a little English, German is the next most widely spoken foreign language. Ties between the Kosovo Albanian diaspora in Germany and Switzerland and Kosovo are very strong, as many older Kosovo Albanians have lived and worked in Germany and Switzerland.
Kosovo is predominantly Muslim.
January 2018: Kosovo was officially designated a DXCC entity.


Anne, OH2YL and Marko, OH2LGW - Z68YL & Z68OM – Kosovo  May 20-30, 2025

Cows, Coax, and Kosovo:  The Z68YL/Z68OM DXpedition Adventure!
by Jari Perkiömäki OH6BG
The dream of a joint DXpedition to Kosovo, first sparked way back in late 2018, finally sprang to life on May 20-30, 2025, for Finnish radio amateurs Anne (OH2YL, operating as Z68YL) and Marko (OH2LGW/ON9MP, operating as Z68OM). After COVID-19 delays and even a work-related postponement for Marko (which saw Anne embark on a solo mission to Liechtenstein in April 2024 as HB0/OH2YL), the stars aligned for a thrilling ten-day operating blitz from the heart of the Balkans.
 "It felt like an eternity in the making!" Marko shared, "but we were absolutely driven to light up the bands with Z6 for hams everywhere." And they weren't just making contacts; they were delivering the QSLs at lightning speed: every QSO uploaded to Logbook of the World (LoTW) within 24 hours– no waiting, no fees!

The Long Road to Pristina
Planning for this particular adventure kicked into high gear in spring 2024, with the duo navigating work schedules to carve out a precious window in late May 2025. Add travel days from two different countries (Anne from Finland, Marko from Belgium), plus essential setup and tear-down time, and it was a significant undertaking. Anne even found herself patiently waiting for Marko's arrival over a weekend just north of Pristina.
But no DXpedition is a two-person show. An "exceptional support team," as Anne and Marko call them, was assembled. Martti OH2BH provided crucial initial support, while local ham Driton Z61DX was their invaluable man on the ground in Kosovo. Back in Finland, Jari OH6QU and Jari OH6BG offered vital technical assistance and crunched HF propagation forecasts, even monitoring their transmissions in real-time. "Their guidance on band openings and quick trouble shooting was absolutely first-class," they say. "We couldn't have done it without them."
Operating with two stations sharing antennas, they cleverly implemented a shift system. "We made sure each of us got a full 8-hour sleep every other night," Anne explains. "It helped manage the sleep debt, though there was still plenty of that!"

The QTH: Beauty and the Beast(s)
Finding the perfect operating spot is always a challenge. Their initial find looked promising online, but a pre-expedition scout by Driton Z61DX revealed a cramped yard. Panic? A little. But a new, even better QTH was quickly secured just 3km (or 2 miles) away, located at a lofty 1200 meters (or 4000 ft) above sea level. "The location was fantastic for working Japan and the USA, our main targets," Marko noted. "And having a restaurant with excellent, affordable food just across the road was a definite bonus!"
However, this idyllic spot came with its own unique set of challenges. As Anne bluntly puts it: "Animals just roam everywhere!" The spacious surroundings, perfect for antenna setups, were also prime grazing land for herds of cows and sheep.

When Cows Attack
DXpeditions usually come with unexpected hurdles. For Anne and Marko, these included strong winds (which snapped a dipole support pole), the ever-present QRM, and a few power cuts. "We had a generator for the first long outage," Marko recalls, "but Murphy's Law dictated it wasn't onsite for the next five-hour blackout!"
But the cows... oh, the cows. Anne’s brief summary: "Cows love coax!"
Early in the DXpedition, during one of Anne's SSB shifts, they heard distinct mooing very close by. "Suddenly, the SPE amplifier screamed with a high SWR alarm, and the radio went dead!" Marko says.
Racing outside, they found a herd of cows inside their antenna field. The damage? Two critical feedlines – for the EFHW wire antenna and the 6M dipole – had been chewed clean through.
"For a moment, we were speechless," Anne admits. "With limited spare cable, we genuinely
thought, 'Is this the end of the DXpedition?'"
But Finnish "Sisu" (grit and perseverance) kicked in. They recalculated their cable runs, and Marko managed to repair the EFHW feedline. The 60M dipole cable was thankfully intact. A new "OH2YL special" vertical was quickly put up in a (supposedly) fenced-off area. The 6M operations had to shift to the less-than-ideal EFHW. Their friendly landlord, a true hero, even provided protective piping for the cables.
The animal adventures didn't end there. Despite the new vertical being in a 20m x 10m (65ft x 33ft) "protected" area, the cows found a way in and destroyed the vertical's ground radials. So much for that vertical! Even local youths on dirt bikes and ATVs added to the QTH's lively atmosphere, making Anne and Marko "local celebrities," as Anne heard in the nearby restaurant. This fame even led to a tense moment when an uninformed co-land owner demanded they leave, a situation thankfully resolved with the help of their landlord and a translation app.
The high QRM levels, likely made worse by "Chinese LED lights" as Anne suspects, plagued their operation. "CW was pretty much impossible," she states, with noise levels often hitting S5-S9. The 160M band was restricted to FT8 only due to the S9 noise. "And 6 meters," Marko adds, "was a game of long, tedious watchful waiting, which definitely ate into our total QSO count."
Statistics  Total Qs: 9801, Unique Qs: 4603, Countries: 117
https://www.dx-world.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Kosovo-Z68YL-Z68OM-Story-by-OH6BG.pdf
*****

Tradition is not preserving the ashes but passing on the flame.  
Silent Key   Anne Landers VK7BYL 
It is with sadness that I announce that Anne Landers VK7BYL passed away on 29th July 2025.  Anne with the callsign of VK7LY, was a foundation member of ALARA and joined in many of the early 80m nets.  Anne loved to write poetry and had her collection published in "Luminosity" which was based on her time living at a lighthouse.  In later years she settled in Penguin Tasmania and was an active member of the local radio club as well as on their 2m nets.   ALARA  6 Aug 2025  


Tasmania Lighthouse, ILLW weekend 2019
Repeat: yl.beam # 79 feb 2020 (from:  ALARA Newsletter Issue 171 OCTOBER 2019)
Anne, VK7BYL, and Shirl, VK7HSC, were active for the International Lighthouse and
Lightship Weekend. August 2019. Here is Anne’s report “A heckling of hams” or “An astonishment of amateurs” Both could describe the gathering at Low Head in Tasmania for the ILLW weekend which this year coincided with the RD contest.
Shirley and I set out on Saturday morning for what was for both of us the unknown (as neither of us had been out for some years); a weekend at Low Head in the company of several others. We were promised a warm house, good food and great company and all we had to do was to take a dessert or two and ourselves.
Despite a forecast of snow and cold both days turned out to be out of the box, particularly Saturday, with blue skies, very little wind, several whale sightings and penguins at the gate.
The radio gear was in a sun-room at the rear of the house and gear supplied by Ross
VK7ALH was everywhere. Mostly we used a Kenwood 950 or something similar. The
antenna setup was impressive with a heavy-duty H-frame mast in 3 extendable sections mounted permanently on a trailer and cranked up to carry a trap dipole from 160 through to I don’t know what. I think I need to get back to study and wake up the brain which has suffered a bit through illness.
Conditions I thought were disappointing with not many contacts on either RD or ILLW. The bands seemed very quiet and the furthest DX was West Australia which we also worked on VK7RAA on our way home anyway.
However the weekend was great fun, the scallop pies were out of this world with a full feed of Tassie scallops in each one. The company was great. The tall tales bouncing around the room had to be heard to be believed. The weather held up and only started breaking up late Sunday. All round it was a great weekend.
Present were Geoffrey VK7GW and xyl Jenny, Leigh VK7FLAR, Roger VK2RO, Gavin
VK7VTX, Andrew VK7DW, Roscoe VK7ALH, Peter VK7KPC and xyl Kay visited and a
couple of tourists dropped in.
On Sunday at noon volunteers fired up the foghorn and for 15 minutes at regular intervals we were deafened and entertained by a very loud noise. All radio was abandoned and conversation limited to the gaps as foghorn blasts, which can be heard for 20 miles or so out to sea, overrode everything. Sound in decibels? LOUD! 33 Anne VK7BYL
*****
People change  emails, callsigns etc. if any of your details change, remember to let me know.
CONTACT:   yl.beam news: Editor Eda (Heather) zs6ye.yl@gmail.com
newsletters can be found:  https://wrarc-anode.blogspot.com/
Italian Radio Amateurs Union: QTC U.R.I.
https://www.unionradio.it/qtc-la-rivista-della-unione-radioamatori-italiani/
West of Scotland Amateur Radio Society  https://wosars.club/category/yl-news/
https://www.facebook.com/CT2ISX    YLs-Amateur Radio Ladies-Portugal
Ham Yl       https://www.facebook.com/ham.yls

Unsubscribe: If you do not wish to receive this newsletter, please email:  zs6ye.yl@gmail.com 
*****
Calendar October 2025
Oct 4 5       JLRS (Japan Ladies Radio Society) Contest – CW 1st weekend Oct
Oct 4 - 5     82nd Oceania DX (OCDX) contest Phone (SSB)
Oct 4 - 10   World Space Week (2025) Sat – Fri. Theme: Living in Space
Oct 14         Ada Lovelace Day 2025  Tuesday Founded in 2009.   

Oct 17 - 19  JOTA Jamboree on the Air Scouts
Oct 18 - 20  YLRL - DX/NA-YL Anniversary Contest  SSB/CW/Digital; 1400 - 0200 UTC
Oct 31          Halloween (Eve of All Hallows) Witches-on-the-Air

yl.beam #144 sept. 2025

  yl.beam #144 sept. 2025

Contents

Finnish YL on Märket Reef DXpedition
Scandinavian YL AR  22nd birthday
JLRS (Japan Ladies Radio Society, 48th HAM RADIO, Germany. 2025 47th JARL     Ham Fair Tokyo, 2025
Lucía Sájara LU3EZH 86th Birthday
TC88YL – Women on the Bands from Turkey.
Silent Key   Marilyn Syme VK5DMS
DARC Germany YL  antenna workshop 
Contact & Calendar

Out-&-About: Finnish YL part of  Märket Reef DXpedition
Finnish YL-OJ0YL & OJ0W Märket Reef DXpedition Sept. 20–26, 2025
Between Finland and Sweden lies Märket Reef, a rocky outpost that has captured the imagination of DXers for decades. With no trees, only a lighthouse and sea-birds standing guard, this tiny Baltic island is split by a uniquely zig-zagging international border redrawn in 1985 — a result of a century-old lighthouse placement mistake in 1885.

From September 20–26, 2025, the island will come to life on the airwaves. OJ0W and OJ0YL will be activated by the Finnish-based team of: yl Anne OH2YL, Jari OH6QU, Juha OH6XX and Panu OH7CW. Landing is weather-dependent, with access planned via Finland.
Bands: 160 to 6 meters, emphasis on low bands; all modes.

SYLRA  (Scandinavian YL Amateur Radio)
On SYLRA's 22nd birthday, 15 August, 2025 - three Yls from Iceland (TF) sat down and talked about SYLRA.  Anna TF3VB; Elin TF3EQ; Vala TF3VD
To share and enjoy their memories, go to the link below..
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0lBzBaod4U

JLRS (Japan Ladies Radio Society,

 
48th HAM RADIO Friedrichshafen, Germany. 2025
 Europe's largest amateur radio exhibition,
 Participation report August 15, 2025  (Text by JI1JRE) YL Hatsumi
On Friday 27th and Saturday 28th June, I took part in HAM RADIO 2025 , organised by the
German Amateur Radio Association DARC, said to be the largest ham festival in Europe. Friedrichshafen , where the event was held, is located on the shores of Lake Constance in southern Germany, a famous international resort. A free shuttle bus to the venue, Messe Friedrichshafen, departs from close to the ferry terminal.
Like the Dayton Hamvention in the US, HAM RADIO also hosts a packed programme every year, attracting many enthusiastic hams.
One of the YL-related events is the International YL Meeting , where the activities of the YL event OL88YL, held in the Czech Republic last August 2024, were introduced . I was fortunate enough to be able to join them on stage, I promoted JLRS (Japan Ladies Radio Society) and the "8K3EXPO," a special commemorative station for the Osaka-Kansai Expo. Although my English is poor, it seemed that a talk given by a Japanese YL was such a rare event, that many people stopped to look.
The venue was a large gymnasium-like hall, with booths spaced out in a relaxed manner. There were long lines at every shop that made goods with call signs. There were many women and dogs to be seen, and there was a restaurant and shop in the courtyard. The ice cream I bought to prevent heat stroke was delicious.
Please also take a look at our website. https://www.jarl.com/jlrs/ We are looking for members! ↓  https://ameblo.jp/jlrsblog/entry-12923164221.html

47th JARL Ham Fair Tokyo, at Ariake GYM-EX.
The biggest amateur radio  exhibition in Asia.  23 – 24 August,  2025.
Thank you for coming to Ham Fair!  We'd like to thank everyone who visited our JLRS booth at Ham Fair 2025 , held last weekend on August 23rd (Sat) and 24th (Sun). We were delighted to speak with so many people, including those who regularly communicate with us at YL CQ Day and contests, as well as those we met for the first time. We also had a number of women who were interested in getting into amateur radio. We hope to enjoy amateur radio together with them. Thank you to everyone who communicated with JLRS Association Station "JA1YWM," who operated from our booth. We will send any QSL cards we were unable to provide on the day via the bureau.
We will be holding the 54th JLRS Party Contest at the end of next month (Sept 27 – 28, 2025 SSB) , so please come along and participate. Please note that there have been some changes to the terms and conditions this time . Please see the terms and conditions here: https://www.jarl.com/jlrs/test/54ylcon-kiyaku.pdf  . Please also visit our website: https://www.jarl.com/jlrs/  . We're looking for members!
https://ameblo.jp/jlrsblog/entry-12925295616.html

86th Birthday Lucía Sájara LU3EZH September 27,  2025.
Lucía Sájara LU3EZH radio amateur Licensed since1982, she is a great-grandmother with a Special category radio license. Lucía remains passionate when talking about radio, maintaining that amateur radio is a healthy addiction and that those who are drawn to it should take the plunge and not be afraid of the operating practices to overcome their fear of the microphone.
She was born on September 27, 1939, in the town of Sevigné, Dolores district, in the province of Buenos Aires (Argentina). A dressmaker by profession  she moved to the El Juncal farm, 35 km from the city of '25 de Mayo'. with her husband.
The farmhouse had a radio station installed, which provided daily news to the owner of the farm, who had similar equipment in his office. There, Lucía discovered that by changing the channel, she could hear people from other countries, including a Brazilian woman with whom she spoke every night in 1972 and with whom she has maintained a friendship for 50 years, a friendship that has recently continued through social media.
Two sons arrived and they attended a nearby rural primary school. However for them to be able to attend secondary school, Lucia had to rent an apartment in the town of '25 de Mayo',  35 km away.
The youngest son, Hugo,  enrolled at the Radio Club 25 de Mayo, receiving the licensed callsign LU5DAX. He became so involved that within a couple of years he had become an instructor and persuaded his parents to obtain their radio licenses,
Twice a week they travelled the 35 km in a Renault 12 car from the country to the Radio Club being instructed by their own son, until it was time for the exam; which in 1982 included CW.  They both passed  receiving their licenses: Lucía LU3EZH and her husband Carlos Focke, LU6EZC (silent key).
They bought a Keiss M12, the most affordable option at the time, to set up the station in the country-side with a medium-wave dipole for 80 meters, the only option offered by the initial category.
A few years later, in 1988, they moved to La Carreta, 60 km from Pehuajó.. Both already had the intermediate category license. Their son Hugo had settled in Spain, and they went to a country bar with a land-line to receive his weekly call
One day, while talking with Héctor Young LU1DKJ, from Trenque Lauquen, he told Lucía that he would lend her some equipment to simplify contact with Hugo.  A few days later he showed up with an FT 7 Bravo, a tower, and an antenna! (Sadly he died of COVID in January 2021) From that moment on, mother and son communicated almost daily on the 10-meter band.  Lucía also had an IC 255A and remembers frequent VHF contacts with astronauts on the Russian Mir 5 spacecraft in 1992.
When her husband fell ill, Lucía settled in Pehuajó in 1994 and joined the "Venancio Bonet" Amateur Radio Club (LU3DN), where she served as president for three terms, as well as vice president, and as a first member of the current board of directors.
 

This organisation was founded in 1958 as the Pehuajó Radio Club, at the initiative of Mr. Bonet, who, along with José Bizzio, were the first radio amateurs in that city.
She promoted and participated in activations and gatherings in various locations across Argentina, such as Mendoza, Córdoba, San Luis, and Lake Moquehue in Neuquén. She particularly remembers a radio amateur gathering held in Salta, where, in addition to receiving recognition for her charitable work on the radio, it coincided with her birthday celebration.
She currently lives in an apartment and is active with an FT 757 GX, a gift from her son during one of his visits to Spain. Until recently she used a Walmart antenna for 10, 15, 20, and 40 meters along with a dipole for 80 meters.
Unfortunately a tornado left everything on the ground, and due to space issues, she decided to build only an inverted V for 40 meters at a height of 7 meters. This is the band that keeps her connected to the entire country.
Like all radio amateurs, Lucía experienced the long period of limitations and isolation during COVID. Radio was an important and safe distraction to shorten this pandemic period, at times managing to allay the worry and uncertainty that the situation aroused among older people.
In February 2019, she created the YL Argentina Group., inviting seven colleagues and friends to celebrate Women's Day on March 8th. They divided up their duties and have since maintained an annual calendar with monthly activities with more than 20 members.

Carlos Almirón LU7DSY Jan 30, 2022

TC88YL – The Voice of Women on the Bands from Turkey.
For two days, the voices of women echoed across the frequencies.
With the TC88YL special event, we came together to strengthen the presence of women in amateur radio, to build friendships, and to leave our mark on the airwaves.
During this unforgettable event, we reached out to stations all around the world and achieved an incredible milestone of 2200+ QSOs! Each contact was not just a QSO, but a new bridge built, an excitement shared, and a stronger sense of unity created. Making women’s voices more visible in amateur radio, inspiring young operators, and keeping the true “ham spirit” alive has been our greatest joy.
A huge thank you to everyone who called us, supported us, and shared this journey with us.
Turkish YL Activators: TA2RAG Gizen;  TA2ZEH Zehra;   TA3EMN Emine;  TA3YL Ezgi;   TA7YLY   Merzuke &  HB9FPM Eva from Switzerland.
TC2E Contest Station Kocaeli, Turkey. Kocaeli is a province next to Istanbul.

Dear Merzuke Gediktaş of  TC88YL team and participants,
we would like to express our sincere gratitude for the excellent organisation of the YL amateur radio event, the time that we spent together, the unforgettable memories and your hospitality that was very much appreciated. This event created a welcoming space that high-lighted the achievements of women in amateur radio and inspired many of us to continue contributing to the community and inspire future generations.Thank you for your hard work and dedication in making this event such a success.   Eva HB9FPM & Andy HB9JOE

Silent Keys: With sadness we remember every radio station  that goes dark.
ALARA 6 Aug 2025   Marilyn Syme VK5DMS (SK)
One of our much loved ALARA members has passed away.  Marilyn Syme VK5DMS was a member since 1977 and held numerous committee positions for many years.  She ran the first  ALARA National gathering in Mildura in 1984 which later became known as ALARAmeets.  In 1990 she received an Meritorious Service Plaque in 1990, an amber pendant and certificate in 2009 and Life Membership in 2023.  Marilyn will be sadly missed by us all.

*****

CONTACT    Over time, people change  emails, callsigns etc.  if any of your details change, remember to let me know, otherwise you are likely to miss out.
 yl.beam news: Editor Eda (Heather) zs6ye.yl@gmail.com
newsletters can be found:  https://wrarc-anode.blogspot.com/
Italian Radio Amateurs Union: QTC U.R.I.
https://www.unionradio.it/qtc-la-rivista-della-unione-radioamatori-italiani/
West of Scotland Amateur Radio Society  https://wosars.club/category/yl-news/
https://www.facebook.com/CT2ISX    YLs-Amateur Radio Ladies-Portugal
Ham Yl       https://www.facebook.com/ham.yls

Unsubscribe: If you do not wish to receive this newsletter, please email:  zs6ye.yl@gmail.com 

*****

Calendar Sept. 2025
Japan Ladies Radio Society (JLRS) "YL CQ Day" 2nd  Sunday of every month!
                    9:00 AM UTC+09 – 4:00 PM UTC+09
Sept  01       Ham Yl Facebook  birthday started 2011  14th anniversary
                     https://www.facebook.com/ham.yls
Sept             CLARA (Canadian Ladies Amateur Radio Ass.) September, 1967.
Sept 20 – 26 Märket Reef DXpedition  yl Anne OH2YL/OJ0YL
Sept 27         Lucia Sajara LU3EZH  86 Birthday 
Sept 27 – 28 JLRS (Japan Ladies Radio Society) Contest – SSB last weekend Sept
Oct  4 - 5       JLRS (Japan Ladies Radio Society) Contest – CW 1st weekend Oct

Components, complaints and complacency

Whilst reading a few issues of Wireless World from the world radio museum web site, I wondered about the issue that happened on my 21st birthday month. Reading the editorial rang a very loud bell! If it reads familiar to you enjoy the feeling. JB ZS6WL

We are constantly receiving letters from private individuals who are finding it impossible to obtain supplies of certain components and whose pleas to manufacturers and distributors are met with stony silence. Even the small company, not in the electronics field, which requires a special component for a one-off job—and which has the advantage of a company letter heading—sometimes receives the same treatment.

One of our correspondents, who was starting a small company, claimed he was asked for two trade references and the name of his bankers, and that was only in order to receive a catalogue!

However, component supply is the result and not the cause of the problem, the whole attitude of the electronics industry towards the private experimenter and the amateur is one of non-co-operation to the point of scorn. Why is this, when many of yesteryear’s major innovations in radio and electronics emanated from the results of work carried out on a kitchen table?

In those days the amateur and the professional (often one and the same person) were working on similar problems and there was a mutual respect. The technology has advanced in leaps and bounds since then and industry is staffed with people who more than likely do not have an amateur background and who have no appreciation of the problems and frustrations that can face anyone trying to work on his own for interest, self-education or amusement.

Because of the great amount of publicity given to electronics, and the aura of mystery surrounding it in the eyes of the layman, more people are taking a practical interest. This has led to manufacturers and distributors being bombarded with letters requesting the solution to private electronic problems, many of which are nonsensical or frivolous, and others could have been answered easily if the writer had shown a little initiative or visited a good library.

To answer all these queries would cost a company a great deal and what would they get in return? Perhaps an order for two or three components, the value of which may be less than the cost of the handling.

By making their components generally available on the retail market, to be bought by people who may not be qualified to use them, a company feels that it is inviting the sort of costly correspondence mentioned. The reason for the reticence in this respect can be understood.

All this has led to the present ultra-low status of the amateur in the eyes of industry and the reluctance of many concerns to accept small orders.

The industry does, however, have a responsibility to the public, even if it is only to
maintain its own image, and attempts must be made to give assistance in genuine cases. Refusals because of a couldn’t-care-less attitude can never be justified and small losses should be accepted at times.

Manufacturers could easily set up machinery to ensure that their products can be sold on the retail market through a distributor. Because of the difficulty in assessing the possible quantities required perhaps some sort of sale or return arrangement could be operated with the distributor. At the present time many components are completely unobtainable on the retail market.

In addition, all private individuals seriously interested in electronics should put their own house in order, and as a first step may well think of joining a club. If there is not one in the area—start one. The answer to nearly all the problems likely to trouble the experimenter could be found amongst a group of people with a common aim. Particularly difficult problems could be made club projects. Benefits could be reaped in terms of central facilities, pooled test equipment, tools and literature.

A great deal of useful work can be done by a well-run organisation of this nature and the local community can benefit. For instance, club projects could aid local handicapped people, small electronic systems for local firms could be designed and constructed (power supplies, control systems, photo-electric switches etc.). Often these firms can advantageously use electronic equipment, but, because only a one-off is required, it is uneconomic to employ professionals to do the job.

The companies who supply components would, we feel sure, be more than willing to assist such organisations so long as things were done on a business-like basis. A good example of the sort of co-operation that can be achieved is to be seen in the components list for the Logic Display Aid in this issue.

From: Wireless-World 1969-06 pg69

amateur radio ladies yl.beam #143 aug. 2025

Contents

• International Dog Day   26 August 2025
• Out-and-About
• Missouri Yls at  SPARK- CON, ARRL Midwest Div. Convention
• LABRE-DF at the Inauguration of the New Brazilian Army Communications School  
• Brazil's National Day of Telecommunications
• CVA DX  HF CONTEST
• S/k   Vi Barrett W6CBA  & VE3WAD Jean Moffett
• Contacts & Calendar

*******
International Dog Day   26 August 2025
The participating stations will be on the air during August
K2D - USA team callsign
YL1DOG; DL0DOG ; DA0DOG ; GB4DOG
Find out more about bands, modes and exact dates from QRZ.com pages
where available. Also look at Hamlog.Online
https://www.dogdayradio.org/stations_2025.html
******
Congratulations
YLRL presented Jan O'Brien, K6HHD, with a special certificate honouring her 68 years as a member of YLRL.  She has been a ham since 1954 and joined YLRL in 1957.
******
Out-and-About
From 16 to 28 September 2025, Tom - K0YA and his XYL Antoinette - W5RCX will be active again as V4/K0YA and V4/W5RCX, respectively, from the QTH of V47JA in Calypso Bay,St. Kitts & Nevis;  from 16 to 28 September 2025. Activity will be in "holiday" mode from 10 to 160m on CW, SSB and FT8.
******
Missouri Yls at  SPARK- CON, ARRL Midwest Div. Convention
We are helping host the ARRL midwest division convention October 10-11, 2025 in Sedalia Missouri (USA). I would love to help support more women on the air and plan a  display table and hope to obtain a speaker for the event.
For more information please contact Jen Albright, N0VVX  KE0VFG@gmail.com 
******

Martin Butera (PT2ZDX) & Terezinha (PT2TF) centre above
LABRE-DF at the Inauguration of the New Brazilian Army Communications School  
Strengthening Ties: Martin Butera (PT2ZDX) had the honour of participating in two important events on May 5, 2025 at the invitation of the Army's Communications and Electronic Warfare Commander,  Representing all radio amateurs from the Federal District (FD) and surrounding areas, we were present at the inauguration of the new facilities of the Army Communications School (EsCom), on a particularly symbolic date: Communications Day, which pays homage to the patron, Marshal Cândido Mariano da Silva Rondon. (note 1)
The morning ceremony was marked by emotion and reunion. We had the presence of our dear Terezinha (PT2TF), the eternal "Queen of the Air", a special guest accompanied by her family.
The evening ended with a celebratory dinner, cordially sealing a day that marked the return of a relationship that we consider strategic. We are very happy to emphasize that this moment represents the  commitment made by this LABRE-DF administration: to re-establish and strengthen ties with EsCom, after a period of separation.
We believe in uniting efforts between military and civilian communications. We have confirmed our partnership in the next 'Green and Yellow' Competition, in August 2025.  Our team, made up of more than ten LABRE-DF operators, will be alongside EsCom to collaborate on all fronts. (notes 2,3)  full article + more pics RadioZS p108-111  
https://mysarl.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Radio-ZS-June-2025.pdf 

(note 1) Marshal Cândido Rondon  (1865-1958) is revered as the Patron Saint of Communications in Brazil, a title bestowed upon him for his pivotal role in extending telegraph lines across the nation, thereby connecting previously isolated regions and laying the groundwork for modern telecommunications. May 5th, his birthdate, is celebrated as Brazil's National Day of Telecommunications in his honour.
(note 2) GREEN and YELLOW International HF Contest  CVA DX  HF CONTEST
The Green and Yellow DX Contest (in Portuguese CVA DX HF Contest) is one of the Brazilian’s most important amateur radio events, now in its 66th edition (2025), which reflects its long-standing tradition. The CVA DX Contest always takes place on the third full weekend of August for CW (Morse Code) and the fourth full weekend of August for SSB (Voice).
The CVA DX Contest aims to foster friendship among radio amateurs and amateur radio organisations - both civilian and military - from around the world.
It also seeks to engage radio amateurs in the commemorative activities of the Brazilian Soldier's Week, high-lighting events related to August 25th and honouring the image of Duque de Caxias, the patron of the Brazilian Army.
Known as the Green and Yellow Contest or CVA DX Contest, it holds the title of the most traditional amateur radio contest in Brazilian history. Over more than 50 years, it has developed progressively, aligning with the formats of global contests. The Brazilian Army, through the Brazilian Army School of Communications, promotes amateur radio practice and recognises its importance in the country's development. Through over half a century of contests, it demonstrates Brazil's affection and enthusiasm for the CVA DX Contest. Since opening its doors to the world in 2011, the CVA DX Contest has rapidly gained international recognition, showing the importance of amateur radio in Brazil to the global community
Aug 16 -17  CVA DX CW – 2025.  Third full weekend of August. (CW);
Aug 23 - 24, CVA DX  SSB  – 2025.   Fourth full weekend of August. (SSB);

(note 3) Soldier's Day is celebrated on August 25, the anniversary of the birth of Luís Alves de Lima e Silva, Duke of Caxias, patron of the Brazilian Army.
*****
Silent Keys - Tradition is not preserving the ashes but passing on the flame.  
 
VE3WAD Jean Moffett (nee Waddington) S/k age 101
(August 12,1923 - April 14, 2025)
long time OSC (Ontario Science Centre) Volunteer of 43 years  Jean Moffett VE3WAD, 4 months shy of her 102 Birthday, Jean passed at home after a fall. Everyone that knew her will miss her voice on the radio and her personality in the VE3OSC Ham Shack.  
With over 40 years of dedicated service, she holds the special honour of being Ontario Science Centre longest-serving volunteer. She started as a volunteer school group greeter before becoming a HAM radio operator, VE3WAD, whose voice and call sign were known around the world.
As one of the few female operators on the air, her charm, warmth and love of a good story made her a popular contact.
One of Jean’s greatest wishes was to talk to an astronaut aboard the International Space Station (ISS), which finally came true in January 2020, (at age 96) at the Ontario Science Centre, she got to go even further when together with a group of students, she spoke with Commander Luca Parmitano  KF5KDP.
She was awarded the Sovereign's Medal for Volunteers. (It is the highest honour for volunteer service that an individual can receive within the Canadian Honours System.)
Jean was still volunteering last year (2024) at the age of 101. She said the opportunity to operate the radio with— and for visitors — was the best thing to ever happen to her. (As of June 28 2024 The Ontario Science Centre VE3OSC was closed by the Provincial Government.)
Jean was born in Ottawa, Canada and spent her childhood years in North Bay with younger siblings. Jean met her husband, Joe Moffett (1924-91), while working in Toronto as a secretary at CNR. Their two girls, Mary Ellen  and Jane were raised in Leaside. Jean will be dearly missed by grand and great-grandchildren

We wished Jean 'Happy 100 Birthday' in yl.beam #119 aug 2023
The link below is still good (original date FEBRUARY 7, 2023) shortly before her 100th birthday. Her enthusiasm reaches across time and space.

https://globalnews.ca/video/9468921/ontario-science-centre-volunteer-set-to-celebrate-100th-birthday/?fbclid=IwAR1tiPi9OQ80T7NMnTwWptMbJTtUFuOGZ0RVbXichec0hmMqyxhIwdGmrB

******


Vi Barrett W6CBA on a KFBI visit in 2000     

Silent Key - Vi Barrett W6CBA   [August 26, 1929. - 16 April 2024] age 94
Age 19 She received her ham radio license on February 14, 1948  W6CBA, General Class.
The use and knowledge of radio equipment also aided her in getting her first job as a dispatcher in the Los Angeles office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.(FBI) Vi was the first woman  FBI radio dispatcher she worked in the Los Angeles office for over six years.  
After getting married in 1954, Barrett left the FBI, but not her beloved ham radio. Like his father-in-law before him, soon her husband was on the roof erecting an antenna.
In January 1981 a group of  Mulberry School fifth graders took a short trip to the home of Violet Barrett, an East Whittier City School District employee and the president of the Rio Hondo Amateur Radio Club.
While it all looked like fun and games to the children, the serious side of Amateur Radio operation was also explained. “During the Vietnam war, I was among several West Coast ham operators who made regular calls to the hospital ship USS Sanctuary off the coast of Vietnam,” said Barrett.
During the calls she would patch together a radio signal with the telephone line so wounded service men could reassure local relatives who only knew there had been an injury, but not its extent.
Still, for Vi Barrett service never stops.She remained 'radio-active' until the end.

YL Forum at 2019 Visalia International DX Convention  YLRL District 6
Vi age 90, 65 yrs marriage. 70 yrs ham , cw instructer,
11 May 2019  Episode 249 - Vi Barrett – W6CBA     

https://www.qsotoday.com/podcasts/w6cba

******

CONTACT    Over time, people change  emails, callsigns etc.  if any of your details change, remember to let me know, otherwise you are likely to miss out.
 yl.beam news: Editor Eda (Heather) zs6ye.yl@gmail.com
newsletters can be found:  https://wrarc-anode.blogspot.com/
Italian Radio Amateurs Union: QTC U.R.I.
https://www.unionradio.it/qtc-la-rivista-della-unione-radioamatori-italiani/
West of Scotland Amateur Radio Society  https://wosars.club/category/yl-news/
https://www.facebook.com/CT2ISX    YLs-Amateur Radio Ladies-Portugal

Unsubscribe: If you do not wish to receive this newsletter, please email:  zs6ye.yl@gmail.com

******

Calendar
Aug 1 – 31  WWFF (World Wide Flora & Fauna) August Activity Month 2025
Aug 7          NATIONAL LIGHTHOUSE DAY  USA
Aug 9 - 10  WAE  CW Worked All Europe DX Contest, 2nd full weekend August.
Aug 9 - 16   YOTA Camp  Youngsters on the Air Belgium and UBA.
Aug 12         International Youth Day
Aug 14         St. Maximilian Kolbe Dabrow aka SP3RN, patron saint of Amateur Radio
Aug 14         “Día  del Radioaficionado Chileno”  celebrated since 2016
Aug 15         SYLRA 22 Birthday, 2025
Aug 18 – 25 YOTA Summer Camp 2025. 13th edition in France. Jambville, Paris.
Aug 16 – 17   TC88YL Türkiye  YL Event  2025.
Aug 16 – 17  ILLW (International Lighthouse Lightship Weekend)  3rd weekend July
Aug 16 - 17   CVA DX CW – 2025.
Aug 16 – 22  22nd IARU World ARDF Championships 2025, Birštonas, Lithuania
Aug 23 - 24  CVA DX  SSB  – 2025.
Aug 23 - 24   JARL Ham Fair 2025, Ariake GYM-EX Exhibition Center.
Aug 26          International Dog Day  
Aug  28 - 31   DNAT in Bad Bentheim  (Duits Nederlands Amateur Treffen)
Aug 30           Region 1 Field Day SSB, 2025
Aug 30-31      A.L.A.R.A. 45th Contest  (Australian Ladies AR Assoc.) last FULL weekend  Aug
                       Sat.  30th Aug  0600 hours UTC -  Sun 31st Aug 0559 hours UTC
Aug  30-31     YL's of Chile  7th  anniversary (2018)  Yankee Lima Chile group 

Sept 5 -7 Handiham Radio Camp 2025
Oct 10-11, Missouri Yls at ARRL Midwest Div. Convention

 

amateur radio ladies - yl.beam #142 july 2025

Contents

• ALARA  50TH BIRTHDAY
• Turkey TC88YL YL Event  August 2025.
• Congratulations South African YLs
• OK2YL-  1st Czechoslovak female radio amateur
• Greetings from Ecuador - Paola HC2LL
• Highest score South America, Chile YL
• PP105ASN Special callsign honours Brasilian YL - PP5ASN Alda
• Silent keys:Monika  Wlcek, OE3YUP; Maj-Maj Melendres, N6MAJ (KN6KJG)
• Contact & Calendar

ALARA   50TH BIRTHDAY PARTY

The Australian Ladies Amateur Radio Association will be celebrating their 50th Anniversary on 26th July 2025, in Melbourne.

There will be a formal lunch at the Novotel in Glen Waverley as well as tours of the Phillip Island Penguin Parade and Puffing BillyTrain for those who can stay longer. In addition, a casual pizza and trivia night will be held on the Saturday evening, for those who would like to meet some of the ALARA members. Details of all the Anniversary events and registration information can be found on the ALARA website at www.alara.org.au  

Norma - VK2YL - ALARA

TC88YL Türkiye  YL Event  August 16–17, 2025.

In 2024, I had the honour of participating in the OL88YL amateur radio event held in the Czech Republic, representing Türkiye with my callsign TA7YLY (YL Merzuke). My participation was proudly sponsored by the YASME Foundation and HB9FPM (YL Eva). This unforgettable experience and the spirit of international YL (female amateur radio operator) solidarity inspired me to organise a similar event together with fellow YLs in Türkiye.

This idea led to the creation of the TC2E Contest Station, which we established last year. Now, we are thrilled to announce that the TA-YL Event will take place at this station on August 16–17, 2025. We will be on the air with our special event callsign TC88YL. 

Looking forward to hearing from you!

South African YL Update
Eleven logs were received for the Hammies Sprint held on Sunday 8 June 2025.
1st Hammies Northern Cape, ZS3ZU (operated by Kayla, ZS3KW) – 96 points

Seven logs were received for the SARL Youth QSO Party held on Monday 16 June 2025.
1st Rebekah, ZU6RK – 50 points
6th Leah Nel, ZU6L - 8 points

Congratulations & Welcome RAE 5/2025  Yls  
ZS2CKK Chantel ;  ZS2NEM  Nicole ;
ZS6LYN  Lynette ;  ZS6MV Martie ; ZS6SWR Samantha

1st  Czechoslovak female radio amateur
The callsign OK2YL has a beautiful history, and I would love to share it with you.

This callsign originally belonged to the first Czechoslovak female radio amateur, Jarmila Heřmanová, from Telč.

Jarmila was born in 1909 into the family of Mr. Heřman, the manager of the local power plant, which was powered by diesel engines. She was very persistent and determined — sometimes even stubborn. She learned Morse code as a girl scout and also knew how to signal with semaphore flags. Her mother passed away in 1928, when Jarmila was 19 years old.

Mr. Heřman ran a small electrical supply shop in Telč — the only one for miles around — so it naturally became a gathering place for local radio amateurs. Jarmila was a very attractive young woman, so it’s no wonder she soon got to know them. She became especially close with one of them, Zdeněk Neumann (OK2AC).

On March 28, 1931, the Czechoslovak shortwave amateurs accepted Jarmila as a full member of their radio amateur club. Zdeněk taught Jarmila, and together they began transmitting — unofficially at first. Jarmila used the callsign OK2AJ (her QSL card is dated May 20, 1931).

On June 17, 1931, Jarmila passed her licensing exams in Prague and was reportedly given a bouquet of roses by the chairman of the examination board. She continued to operate as OK2AJ until February 1933, when she requested a change to OK2YL.

Jarmila died in 1971 and is buried in the cemetery by St. Anne’s Church in Telč.

Jarmila was an exceptionally talented and skilled radio amateur,she mastered Morse code and had impressive technical knowledge. An exceptional example to follow.

2025: OK2YL Paula Pridalova is honoured to be the fourth person to hold this historic and renowned callsign, OK2YL.  Licensed in 2025 she went to  Dayton Hamvention 2025 in USA. After (end of May/June) she travelled  to San Bernardino, Paraguay, where she was active as ZP6/OK2YL on HF Bands.  On her return to Europe she was part of OL1KOTA Kids On The Air and maybe you saw her at Friedrichshafen? 

Greetings from Ecuador  3 Jun,2025 , this is Paola HC2LL. She began her hobby of radio through her humanitarian aid to the Red Cross during the earthquake on April 16th' 2016. She learned a lot by sharing information and carrying out aid operations. Then, during the pandemic, she helped recover bodies from certain sectors by asking for help from Ecu911 and having them go and collect the bodies. This statement is harsh, but it is where her love for radio was strengthened the most.

This is a brief summary of my story Paola HC2CM

Paola started with HAM radio in January 2018

Background

An earthquake, magnitude 7.8, struck the South American nation on April 16, 2016. The quake was the biggest to hit the country of 12 million in decades and levelled homes, hotels, government buildings and offices along the Pacific coast region. Electricity and water service was out in many areas. The government declared a state of emergency in six provinces.

The disaster destroyed or compromised electrical power and commercial telecommunications and rendered many roads impassable due to earthquake rubble.

Ham Aid Amateur Radio equipment left ARRL Headquarters early May 2016, bound for the Guayaquil Radio Club (HC2GRC) in Ecuador . The radio gear will help support relief and recovery efforts.

              *****

2024 CQ DX Marathon cert CE1RT #1 YL Category Highest score South America
Congratulations to Rosa yl from Chile, 33 / 88
               

In June  yl.beam #141, we  congratulated  YL doyenne from Brasil Alda Niemeyer, PP5ASN on her 105 Birthday 18 May 2025 

 

PP105ASN Special callsign honours Brasilian YL
Objective: Celebrating the 105th birthday of PP5ASN Alda Schlemm Niemeyer from Blumenau.

PP5ASN Alda Schlemm Niemeyer, or Grandma Alda, as she is affectionately known in the amateur world. Born in Joinville on May 18, 1920, she grew up in Curitiba, and later adopted Blumenau as her home town.

In 1939, at the age of 19, Alda, her sister and mother went to Germany on a cultural exchange. With the outbreak of World War II, what should have been a journey of a few months turned into a 9-year stay. They were unable to return to Brazil, as there were no more ships because of the war.

She became interested in amateur radio in 1976 (age 56), obtaining a Class C license and the callsign PY5WGG. In 1978, she upgraded to Class B, receiving the callsign PP5ASN. In 1980, she obtained a Class A license, keeping the same callsign, which she continues to hold today.

She has been an active member of the Blumenau Amateur Radio Club (CRB) since 1976.

To honour her, the CRB  has operated the special callsign PP105ASN during the month of June 2025, granting a special digital QSL to anyone who proves contact (QSL via E-mail) with the club station with this callsign.  Contacts made on amateur bands, directly (without the use of repeaters).    CRB (Clube de Radioamadores Blumenau) SC Brasil

OE88YL Friendship YL meeting Germany and Austria July 2019 -  Monika, OE3YUP (in the wheel-chair) was there.

Silent Key Monika  Wlcek, OE3YUP

Austrian yl Monika, OE3YUP, gone from us forever Tuesday the 10th. June 2025, age 79.

Monika was a member of the ADL-031 AMRS forest district.
Despite her disability, she was always present with her OM Helmut, OE3HCB at the club evenings and events of the local authority and the ÖVSV.

For many years they also visited the Ham-radio in Friedrichshafen, where Monika was always happy to participate in the YL meeting. To the relatives, especially our Helmut OE3HCB, from ADL 031 we would like to express our condolences and wish you much strength for the next time.

Dear Monika, we will always remember you! Rest in peace!
Marion OE3YSC YL Speaker of the AMRS Frauenreferat · 12 June 2025
AMRS (Austrian Military Radio Society)
Monika, OE3YUP. A fateful event struck her 36 years ago.
As a self-employed taxi driver, Monika was driving in Vienna one morning. She was
stopped by a passerby, who, believing it was a customer, pulled over. The passerby got into the back, suddenly pulled out a gun, and demanded that she hand over the car.

When she didn't immediately comply, the gangster shot her in the head from behind. He then threw the woman out of the car and drove off. Months later, the criminal was shot dead by police during another robbery of a post office.

She survived, but months in a coma and years of rehabilitation followed. OM Helmut cared for his wife with selfless and incredibly self-sacrificing dedication. After years, he was finally able to restore her to a state that seemed worth living. Paralysed on one side but mentally quite well, she has lived as a disabled person for 36 years, alongside her husband, Helmut, OE3HCB.

For Helmut, his entire life changed completely from one day to the next. From then on, he had to devote more than half of his remaining time to the advancement and survival of his Monika.

Perhaps you can truly understand such circumstances only if you have or have had a disabled or ill partner yourself. Therefore, we can only be grateful to Helmut for having demonstrated such strength of character towards his wife Monika, OE3YUP.

Silent Key Maj-Maj Melendres, N6MAJ (KN6KJG) of Sacramento, CA (USA)
In Memory of Maj-Maj Melendres, N6MAJ Silent Key, May 19, 2025.

Our sincerest condolences to our dear friend Jojo Melendres, KN6HTD, and his children Frances, KN6LRN, Jade, KN6LRO and James on the passing of Maj-Maj Melendres, N6MAJ (KN6KJG) on May 19, 2025. A memorial service for Maj Melendres was held June 18, 2025.

Yl.beam CONTACT DETAILS
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Newsletters https://wrarc-anode.blogspot.com/
Italian Radio Amateurs Union: QTC U.R.I.
https://www.unionradio.it/qtc-la-rivista-della-unione-radioamatori-italiani/
West of Scotland Amateur Radio Society https://wosars.club/category/yl-news/
YLs-Amateur Radio Ladies-Portugal https://www.facebook.com/CT2ISX
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Calendar 2025

July 2 SAQ Grimeton On the Air for 100th Anniversary
July 5 -6 Marconi Memorial Contest HF CW. 1st weekend
July 2 - 7 7th IARU World Youth ARDF Championships, Mariánské lázně, Czechia
July 12-13 IARU HF Championships (2nd full weekend of July).
24-hour (12:00 UTC Sat – 11:59 UTC Sun 13 July)
July 17 – 20 ARI Grado YOTA Camp on Volpera Island, 2025
July 20 1930 Princess Elettra birthday - 95 in 2025 (daughter of Marconi)
July 25 -28 4th Annual W7O/PNW SOTA Campout (Pacific NorthWest, USA),2025
July 26 ALARA celebrates 50 years.
July 26  9 Aniversário YLs Portugal 2025 (started JULY 26, 2016)
July 26 – 27 RSGB IOTA Weekend (Islands on the Air) Contest 1200 – 1200 UTC
July 28 – Aug 1 Balkans/Europe Cup 2025 ARDF.WORLD (Radio Orienteering)
Aug 16 – 17 ILLW (International Lighthouse Lightship Weekend) 3rd weekend July

 

amateur radio ladies - yl.beam #141 june 2025

Contents

• YL active from American Samoa
• SV2TCC Kate news from Greece &  Museum ship HS Velos II
• Young Argentine operator  Delfina Maieru LU7BPM,    
• Barbara Pata PY2QL monitoring LABRE-SP (Brazil) accounts
• YL France    
• YLRL Awards    
• Silent Key  SA5YLX Agneta Emanuelsson  
• Contact  

REMINDER: June 7 – 8, 2025 Annual Queens of the Mountains YL SOTA

 

Out-and-About  KH8 American Samoa
YL from USA K0JJW Joyce AND K0NR Bobwill be operating in "vacation" mode as KH8/K0NR and KH8/K0JJW from May 27 to June 9, 2025. Their primary objective is to activate SOTA summits, using 20 to 10m SSB, FT8 and FT4, with 10 watts for wire antennas. They plan to include some POTA activations.
They will be looking for local operators on 6m and 2m (any mode). Email: kh8@k0nr.com

American Samoa
Lies in the South Pacific, south of the equator, American Samoa is located approximately halfway between New Zealand and Hawaii and about 100km east of the island country of Samoa.  
 Samoa is 24 hours ahead of American Samoa because they're on the opposite sides of the international date line. American Samoa is East of the International Date Line.
It comprises five islands and two atolls. Tutuila, the largest island, is home to the capital Pago Pago, whose natural harbor is framed by volcanic peaks including 1,716-ft.-high Rainmaker Mountain. Divided between the islands Tutuila, Ofu and Ta‘ū, the National Park of American Samoa highlights the territory's tropical scenery with rainforests, beaches and reefs.
*****

SV2TCC – KATE news from Greece
 I’ve been a licensed ham since February 2023, and although I attend a local amateur radio club, I’ve only met one other YL — she got licensed after me but isn’t very active due to work commitments. So for now, I’m kind of on my own!
As for news (not sure how exciting it is!), during the celebration of Hellenic Navy Week (June 29 – July 6), our local club will activate the historic destroyer Velos. It’s now a floating museum, symbolising the fight for democracy, as it played a significant role in opposing the Greek dictatorship in the 1970s. I’ve been assigned as diploma manager for the activation and have also volunteered as one of the operators. We're currently waiting for the rest of the team to confirm so we can organise the operating schedule. 73 and thanks for keeping us all connected!

Museum ship HS Velos II (D-16) a Fletcher-class destroyer was launched in 1942, commissioned on 18 May 1943 by the US Navy as USS Charette (DD-581). One of  175 warships of the same type. Today, there are four ships of this type that still survive, three in the USA and one in Greece.
USS Charette participated in WW2, in the Pacific Ocean.
On 16 June 1959 she was transferred to Greece. and renamed Velos (D16).
Velos was decommissioned in 1991.
In 1994 she became a Museum and was anchored in Athens from 2002 – 2019. Currently she is anchored on the waterfront of Thessaloniki.
*****

Hello, my name is Leonardo Maieru LU7AOW. I'm proposing a story for your magazine about my 10-year-old daughter, who is currently very active in radio. I hope you like it.  73 best regards from Leonardo, LU7AOW.    18 Mar, 2025

YL Delfina LU7BPM (Argentina)  
Hi, I'm Delfina Maieru LU7BPM, 10 years old, and I live in Buenos Aires. I began my passion for amateur radio when I was very young, listening to my father (LU7AOW) doing DX and chatting with his friends.
When the pandemic started, I was very active as a radio listener from home, using my swl LU7EO-0003, awarded by the Avellaneda Radio Club, to participate in various national activities.
In 2023, because I hadn't yet turned 9, the minimum age to become a radio amateur in Argentina, after completing my school work, thanks to a study guide for theoretical and practical courses, I began preparing myself so that the following year, in March 2024, I could enrol in the first LU7EO course of the year with classmates of all ages.
I took it while my father was working, after having arrived from After school, after lunch, and once the course was over, I would dedicate myself to my homework. I had just enough time for everything, but it was already a daily routine.
In the last stage of the course, operational practices arrived, during which my father even changed his work schedule so he could take me to the radio club for them.
I obtained my distinctive signal last September, beginning my satellite activity, which is currently what I love to do, using a mini Moxon Yagi hand-held antenna that I built with my father's help.
We also manufactured, among other antennas, a log-periodic, a rigid dipole for the 10-meter band, and two turnstile antennas for 145 MHz and 437 MHz for use in high satellite orbits.
On HF, I normally operate on 40 meters, and on 10 meters, searching for DXers and taking my first steps in digital and CW modes.
Currently, when we have free time, we do outdoor activities with my dad and after school.
How wonderful it is when father and daughter share the same passion!
I would also like all the young people and children who haven't yet dared to go on the radio with their own call sign to give it a go! We're growing in number, and we're calling CQ!
I hope to see you on the radio soon, and you can write to me at lu7bpm@yahoo.com  and Instagram: @lu7aow_lu7bpm   Best regards!    Delfina Maieru. LU7BPM

Delfina LU7BPM chasing satellites.

LABRE - Liga de Amadores Brasileiros de Rádio Emissão (English: League of Brazilian Amateur Radio Transmitters) is a national non-profit organization for amateur radio enthusiasts in Brazil. LABRE has separate organizations for each state of Brazil and is recognized by the Brazilian Ministry of Communications.

Barbara Pata PY2QL & family

Barbara Pata PY2QL takes on an important role in overseeing LABRE-SP's (São Paulo state) accounts

Barbara represents the new generation of dedicated radio amateurs, who have upgraded to class A and she joined LABRE-SP 2 years ago.

She has 4 children and is married to Rafael Pata PY2PI; one of her daughters is a Class A radio amateur, and her son is a Class C radio amateur.

Bárbara served as Advisor to the Board in 2024, appointed by President Pedro Niccolini PY2DEL.

In this important role she will be joining veteran and Chairman of the Internal Audit Commission Pedro Mauricio Pioli PY2VCP, who worked for over 35 years as an internal auditor for an automotive company, living for some years in Germany. Pedro Pioli set a new standard in this role, which allowed the Board to conduct an in-depth analysis of the Association over the past five years, culminating in the appointment of a new Executive President and former Board member Marcio Barbio PY2TTN.

Barbara was chosen not because of her relationship with the current members of the Council, but because of her prominence in Amateur Radio and Scouting activities, and because of her dedication to everything she does.

LABRE-SP is very concerned about generating new leaders who will be able to contribute to the future management of the association, with so many challenges and changes in amateur radio.

We wish Barbara Pata success, as she will be able to take on various leadership positions in LABRE-SP, taking part in training with the most senior and experienced members.

10 May 2025  LABRE - SP

YL France 

Weekend is over but what an incredible weekend in this charming city of Provins where the 100th anniversary of the French Broadcasters Network and the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) were celebrated and also the 10th anniversary of the Yl de France. A weekend full of discovery and personal enrichment. The happiness of reuniting with the OM and the Yls, sharing this passion that drives us all. A big thank you to the REF (Réseau des Émetteurs Français), the F6KOP (Radio club de Provins) team and everyone who contributed to making this weekend an unforgettable weekend for the Radioamateurs fraternity.

Radio Friendly Helene F4JWK     27 April 2025  


GM4YMM, Christine Dons  250 DXYL - Congratulations
YLRL gives several Awards and Certificates, to both YLs and OM.

A notable achievement is YLRL member GM4YMM, Christine Dons, of Edinburgh, Scotland. Christine qualified for our DXCC-YL Award (100 DX YLs) in 1990.  In 2011 she qualified for endorsements of 125 additional YL contacts.  That means she had worked and confirmed 225 DX YLs.  Since then she has added 15 more, bringing her total to 250 DX YLs.  There's a high probability that the record won't be broken for some time.  What an incredible achievement! Congratulations, Christine.

Young Ladies' Radio League,  Carol Fraley Laferty K4SAF · 30 April 2025
*****

Agneta Emanuelsson— with Roland Eriksson.2017

Silent Key  SA5YLX Agneta Emanuelsson

of Katrineholm, Sweden passed away on March 18, 2025 age 84, DOB 9 August 1940. She passed the radio test on August 2nd, 2009 and a week later was assigned a suffix in the special YL series.

Roland SM5TEY. Kindly shared information about Agneta.

I regret to inform you that my beloved Agneta Emanuelsson has died on March 18, 2025. She was a very active and committed person in many activities. She ensured that mines were cleared through the UN, wrote a book about Valdemar Langlet, learned and taught Esperanto, etc. When I met her through dance and we got together, I needed to learn Esperanto to be able to participate in the UK. Then she also learned to become a radio amateur (her call sign SA5YLX) and become a FRO (she was already a car corps member). There has been a lot of dancing during the years we have had together. We mostly danced old-fashioned and folk dances. Rest in peace! Roland SM5TEY

Ms. Agneta Emanuelsson (1940-2025) died in Katrineholm (Sweden) on March 18, after an illness that had afflicted her for the past year. Senator of the Esperanto City for three terms, she co-founded the Feminist Esperanto Movement (which she represented in the Forum when she was not a senator) and was a member of the editorial board of the magazine “Femina”.

With a pleasant, humorous character and still charming in old age, Agneta Emanuelsson positively contributed to the political development of the Esperanto Community. She herself was a member of parliament in Swedish politics, at an earlier age. A teacher by profession. A radio amateur. She wrote a Swedish-language biography of Valdemar Langlet, who saved thousands of Hungarian Jews.

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Calendar
18 May 2025 YL Brasilian doyenne Alda Niemeyer, PP5ASN was congratulated on her 105 Birthday
June 1     Anniversary of 1st yl.beam newsletter 2011;
June 7 – 8, 2025 Annual Queens of the Mountains YL SOTA
June 19     aniversario ce4ylc (radio club yl chile)
June 21 - 22  International Museums Weekends  Amateur Radio Special Event
June 27 - 29  HamRadio Friedrichshafen.2025  HB9SOTA club, with SOTA Austria and SOTA DL, has taken over the organisation this year.