Wireless Women yl.beam #150 march 2026

Contents
World Wide YL Award ;   YLRL &   ALARA
3rd annual International Women's Day YL POTA Party 2026
VKFF YL Awards for 2026
1st YL POTA Activator in E7.Bosnia and Herzegovina;
“CQ, CQ, II International Women's Day Diploma” Costa Blanca ARA
Lighthouse Weekend, 4 x YLs part of  Dxpedition N4T Dry Tortugas, USA
FAROS AMERICANOS/ February 20- 22, 2026
Out-and-About
   VU2JFC Saborni at Ganga Sagar 2026
   Yukiko Maki, 7K4TKB ;
   Italian astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti (IZ0UDF}
   Esther (GI0AZA) Irish Mountain Goat
RIP: Sharon Taratula
Contact & Calendar

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World Wide YL Award registrations online now
 I am happy to announce that  the website for the world wide YL award is online now:  https://hamaward.cloud/wwayl

The event will take place from March 9th to 16th, 2026.
You may either take part as "activator" or as "hunter".
As activators please register at the above website and also register at hamaward.cloud - the online platform for logging your QSOs.
The hunters just need to go on the bands and enjoy the radio, no logging required.
Please pass on this information to all YLs interested. This will be a really exciting event!
Best regards, 73 and 33  Veronika Wigand DL4VER Sun 8 Feb, 2026

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YLRL Young Ladies' Radio League  17 Feb 2026
You can earn some YLRL Certificates in the YL WWA, March 9-15.
All activators are women, so it will be easy to figure out which certificates you’ve earned as you hunt the operators. https://ylrl.net/certificates/
See YL WWA Activators at https://hamaward.cloud/wwayl/teams?sub_menu=yl26

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 Let our voices be heard

To celebrate International Women's Day ALARA (Australian Ladies Amateur Radio)  will issue special certificates to YLs who make at least 5 contacts with other radio operators on Sunday March 8th 2026.  OMs need to contact 5 YLs.  Any Amateur Radio mode can be used.  For more details contact publicity@alara.org.au

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 3rd annual International Women's Day YL POTA Party 2026

Sunday, March 8, 2026     Activate a park during the 24 hour event window
Frequency: Any amateur radio frequency within your license class
Location: Any POTA Park (or Hunt POTA from Home)
Submit your POTA activations to the POTA Database.
Share your experiences and photos on social media using the hashtag #YL_POTA_PARTY

YL POTA Party 8 March  https://www.youtube.com/live/avcWT14_V04

Listen 32 mins in to 2E0OHT / KC1OHT Shannon & W1GRL Marion discussing this event, on The European Ham Radio Show #136

POTA YL Activation?
Activators can signal their intent to be on the air in advance using the POTA website, so that hunters are ready for them. Activators log all the contacts they make and upload them to the POTA website, which then allocates the rewards and shows league tables for everyone involved.
A successful activation requires a minimum of 10 contacts (QSOs) from a park in the designated list, within a single UTC day.
HAM RADIO WOMEN   KC1OHT  Shannon Gibney  · 1 Dec 2023
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VKFF YL Awards for 2026
During 2026, the Australian chapter of the World-Wide Flora Fauna (WWFF) program (VKFF) will be offering this special award.  There are two certificates to gain.   One for the ladies who activate a park and another for those who contact these ladies.  Six levels of awards will be available for multiple of 5 contacts up to 30 VKFF references.  The award will run for all of 2026 and can be applied for via email to National Co-Ordinator, Paul VK5PAS.  
See the VKFF website for more details
https://www.wwffaustralia.com/2026-vkff-ladies-award.html
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1st YL POTA Activator in E7.Bosnia and Herzegovina  20 Feb 2026
My name is Lamija Kapic, callsign E77LZ. From Bosnia and Herzegovina;  Got my licence in 2015 as a support to my husband E77PY. Back in 2013 he decided to renew the Radio Club that existed (1970-1992) before war in Bosnia. We had no older HAMs, no existing HAMs so we started from scratch… We had a deal with teachers in local Elementary and Middle school to introduce technical education and knowledge in alternative communication… And before we knew it we have to care for about 50 kids! It was overwhelming! In order to help my husband I have to studi first HI. Get my licence together with my 14 years old son Hamza E78KH in first class that we organized. Since then I was a mother to all these kids, secretary, vice-president and president in the club when my hubby got back to US for work. Every year we have 7 ARDF (amateur radio direction finding) competitions across the country. That’s a lot of work and lots of travel!
I'm the first YL POTA Activator in E7. I’m a member of E7POTA Team, still a member of radio club E74AAX and member of Association of Radio Amateur in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
My other hobby is knitting, mainly socks. I can do some FT8 contacts and knit simultaneously HI, two birds with one stone HI. Hope to catch you on the air, 73!
*****

American Lighthouse Weekend, February 20 - 22, 2026
4 x YLs part of  Dxpedition N4T Dry Tortugas & The Florida Keys:
Molly W3NY, Angela N3ARB, Elaine K3MET, Elisabeth N7MEB,
W3NY Molly and Friends'  sailed to the Park in a fishing boat to be active on the third DX expedition to Dry Tortugas. Garden Key Lighthouse USA-316 activated from Garden Key, located near downtown Dry Tortugas.
Dry Tortuga National Park, located about 112 kilometers west of Key West, Florida, is a remote destination of breathtaking beauty that offers a unique opportunity for amateur radio operators to participate in a Parks On The Air (POTA) and lighthouse activation. With its pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and historical significance, this park is not only a haven for nature lovers but also an exciting destination for those seeking to establish connections and log contacts.
The Dry Tortugas are a small group of reefs, islands, and sandbars seventy miles from Key West. They are the final connecting point of the Florida Keys. Access to the park is limited. The only way to reach Dry Tortugas National Park is by ferry, boat, or seaplane. This makes the park a highly sought after contact in the amateur radio community around the world!

 Ham Nation episode 596 for April 9th, 2025. POTA Molly & Friends (start 16mins>47mins)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bX15zk3qD8E  

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 XVIII° edición del "FIN DE SEMANA DE LOS FAROS AMERICANOS"
Cabo Vírgenes Lighthouse, located at the entrance to the Strait of Magellan  overlooking the South Atlantic Ocean, in the province of Santa Cruz, Argentina,. 133 km from provincial capital Río Gallegos. The Cabo Vírgenes penguin colony is located a short distance from the Lighthouse.
 5 x YLs, + 5 x OM operators using special call sign AY1X  were active during the Lighthouse weekend.: QRZ.COM  Operators: Yls: LU9YBM Bianca; LU3YL Liliana;  LU5ILA  Leticia;  LU9IVN Veronica; LU1VYL Marina  

https://www.facebook.com/djlunanqn/videos/1479082603774378

From Chile, Maritza Fredes Naveas CE1RFI  and the Atacama Desert Radio Club CE1DDA, activated the Puerto Viejo Beacon (lighthouse NAC-102). Puerto Viejo is a small fishing cove. It's a long journey by land, about 16 hours from Santiago, Chile
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“CQ, CQ, II International Women's Day Diploma”
Organized by the Costa Blanca Amateur Radio Association (ACRACB) to enhance the commemoration and promote amateur radio activities, this award (for a single contact) is being offered according to the following rules:
1. Dates and times: From 06:00 UTC on Friday, March 6th to 02:00 UTC on Sunday, March 9th, 2026.
2. Scope: All stations worldwide holding a valid amateur radio license and SWL
3. Bands: HF – 10, 12, 15, 17, 20, 30, 40, 80 meters. One contact per band per day is allowed.
* Machine-generated communications (MGM) will be valid: FT8, RTTY, PSK, CW, etc.
VHF: 145.425 MHz (FM) in Alicante. 144.975 MHz (FM) in Málaga.
DMR: TG 21403 (Alicante Province on the Brandmeister network).
VOI: Peanut room ACRACB.
PMR: PMR446 – Channel 5 (446.05625 MHz, narrowband FM, no C-tone).
CB: Alicante, FM channel 25, AM channel 20 as a secondary channel during evening/night.
4. Call: “CQ, CQ, II International Women's Day Diploma”.
More info: https://www.acracb.org/
*****

Out-and-About

VU2JFC Saborni  at Ganga Sagar 2026
The Gangasagar Mela, the week-long Hindu pilgrimage that takes place each January  (10 – 17, 2026)  where the Bay of Bengal meets the Ganges River, is a sacred time for millions throughout India.  The crowd size makes it a perilous time, so members of the West Bengal Radio Club (WBRC), who have been a  presence at the Mela for many years, are deployed with their radios into the crowd, connecting with a central hub. VU2JFC Saborni Nag Biswas was active again this year.

Yukiko Maki, 7K4TKB from Japan, was active as T88YL from Koror Island, Palau, 28 - 31 January 2026.
The Republic of Palau, consists of more than 300 islands and islets surrounded by the warm waters of the Philippine Sea,

Italian astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti (callsign IZ0UDF} headlined the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony on February 6, 2026, at San Siro Stadium, guiding a young girl through a live, artistic interpretation of the galaxy. This performance celebrated science and humanity, featuring dancers representing a moving galaxy, inspired by the Voyager probes' Golden Record.
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 Esther with Dave EI5IMB, taken just after she made 'Goat'
GI0AZA  Esther JM Harper from Northern Ireland
Today I had the honour of being present for Esther’s (GI0AZA) Mountain Goat Award Earning Activation on her local summit, Benbradagh, Ireland.
The journey to this moment has been almost 10 years in the making for Esther and for anyone in the know, it is no small feat. Congratulations to Esther and of course to Ian by proxy (already a qualified Goat himself). An inspiration… 🤩  Take a bow.. 💪 

De Dave, EI5IMB. Irish Ham Radio 26 Jan 2026
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RIP: Sharon Taratula [ March 18, 1962. -  February 4, 2026] died  age 63, of New Britain, CT.
ARRL. (The National Association for Amateur Radio®) is saddened to share the news that Sharon Taratula, who served the League with dedication and distinction for 32 years, passed away on February 4, 2026.
Sharon joined ARRL on January 31, 1994, as DXCC Awards Technician. She later served as Administrative Assistant (1996), MVP Administrative Manager (2011), and from 2016 until her passing, as Award Manager. Over more than three decades, she became a cornerstone of support for some of the most recognized programs in amateur radio.
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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
March 6 - 9, 2026. “CQ, CQ, II International Women's Day Diploma” Costa Blanca ARA
March 7     SARL YL QSO Party
March 7     Russian YL/OM Contest  Sat.07:00 - 10:59  open to all, YL's serving as    
                   multipliers. https://www.contest.ru/russian-yl-om-contest-en/  
March 8     International Women’s Day
March 8     International Women's Day - YL Parks On The Air Party (POTA)
March 9 – 15  YL WWA lasts one week,
March 10    NZ – WARO   Founded 10 March 1962.  2026 - 64 years ago

Wireless Women yl #149 feb. 2026

Contents

• Patty Martin, W5AZO 40 Years Award
• The 1st World Wide YL Award
• Parks On The Air (POTA)
• International Women's Day YL POTA PARTY 2026
• YL POTA Party - Erie Canalway, Spencerport, NY
• Silent Key   2E0PDQ Denise Carpenter    
• Silent Key Pamela Rose (G4STO)
• Contact & Calendar

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Patricia Martin  7 Jan, 2026 Here's an article to use if you like..

Patty Martin, W5AZO, received her Award for 40 Years in Amateur Radio in January 2026.  An active, Extra Class Amateur, she shared her exciting path through the hobby with her OM, Jim, W5AZN.

"How fast time has flown. Such a joy this hobby and service has been as an FCC Licensed Amateur Radio Operator for 40 Years!"

"Jim and I took our first tests together in Dallas, Texas in 1986, and were thrilled to pass!! We were first licensed as KB5AZO and KB5AZN. We upgraded over the years through all the ranks up to Extra Class with 20 wpm Morse Code as a requirement in those early years. At that time we changed our calls to W5AZO & W5AZN."

"Since then, we've utilised this unique technical knowledge and skills to work disaster situations, participated in  Skywarn and RACES, Emergency Communication during tornados and natural disasters, helped save folks in a boat during a storm in Bermuda, activated lighthouses (ARLHS) and parks, (POTA) worked special events like airshow and hot air balloon races, worked in traffic nets, fixed and created radios in a Tuna Tin Can, antennas, and more."

"I was Certified and able to serve as a Volunteer Examiner for both W5YI and ARRL Helping others to learn Morse Code, and promoting the use of CW in various organisations, has challenged me to renew that aspect of the hobby, while encouraging others to join me."

"Ham radio friendships create a deep and special bond. Jim and I have travelled the USA, Canada  and several countries meeting up with various ham friends. We also attended State and National Conferences, giving lectures and presentations to various groups including the Scouts, youth and women."

In 1986, we enjoyed our first trip to the  Hamvention in Dayton, Ohio, where we met ham radio "greats" such as Gordon West and Bob Heil. We even ended up staying at the home of the organisers and met numerous foreign hams who we stayed in touch with for all these years.

I now feel blessed with literally hundreds of warm friendships all over the world -- with radio operators and their families and have visited some in their homes in Ireland, Canada, and other places!

Emergency Communications is an important part of our licensing. Field Day and other activities gave me the chance to see various setups, antennas, power options and even make contacts via Moon Bounce with the Dallas Amateur Radio Club.

I had the honour of being the first Woman Amateur Operator in the USA to complete all 3 modules of the ARRL Emergency Communications Course.

Jim utilised his skills offering service during and after Hurricanes Katrina (2005) and Ike (2008), as well as after the Shuttle Columbia  Disaster (2003). We've both been honoured to participate whenever and wherever Emergency communications was required.

In the 1990s we were involved with the Amateur Radio Lighthouse Society (ARLHS) and founded the Texas Radio Lighthouse Society to draw attention to the need to preserve and renovate these Beacons from our history. and in 2011 was named  "Lighthouse Activator of the Year" for 2010.

Since 2014 we've been deeply involved with Parks on the Air (POTA) -- earning awards in every category while enjoying the beauty of our National and State Parks. The unique challenges of operating portable from swamps to mountaintops (while handling enormous 'pile-ups') helps to keep us ready for any  emergency.

As we look at 2026, we have so much to be thankful for, but this aspect of my life has truly enriched and strengthened me these 40 years!  I would highly recommend it to anyone.

And, yes, I'm so thankful to Jim, W5AZN, for asking me to "study with him" when we first got married -- it has changed my life and given me great joy."

 12 Jan, 2026  It's been a hoot being this involved in Amateur Radio.

I'm 72 now and I told my husband, if I  ever have a stroke and cant speak -- just  get me a keyer so I can do CW, HA!!!   Can't keep a good YL down, ha!!!   Patty, W5AZO

W5AZN  KB5AZN- Jim Martin         W5AZO / KB5AZO  - Patty Martin
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The 1st World Wide YL Award   (https://hamaward.cloud) is planned for March 9-15, 2026.

Max IW1FRU informed Heike, DL3HD, the representative of the German YLs, about the WWA (World Wide Awards) at the last HAM Radio Friedrichshafen,  and offered to organise an YL Award.

We did it!

The announcement will be posted on the above website at the beginning of February. 2026

Unlike the WWA (which is still running until the end of January), we will not be forming teams.
Each YL can register with her call sign and then start transmitting.
This is sure to be a huge event and we can expect some great pile-ups.
Now it's just a matter of getting this information to as many YLs as possible.  
Use your contacts. If I find out more, I'll be happy to keep you updated. 
Please forward this information to all the YLs you know. ,  73 and 33   
Veronika  DL4VER,
Germany. YL - Referentin Distrikt Hessen (F)   Tel. 0151 27589550

Parks On The Air (POTA) is an amateur radio activity that encourages operators to set up portable stations in parks and make contacts from the field. The YL POTA Party is an exciting way for women of all ages to experience portable operating, learn by doing, and enjoy time on the air together. You do not need to be licensed to participate.

YU3AWA Marija an active POTA operator from Serbia.


International Women's Day YL POTA PARTY:
Celebrate Women in Ham Radio!

Join us on March 8th for a special International Women's Day YL POTA PARTY! This event is open to all female amateur radio operators and enthusiasts, regardless of POTA experience.

Date: March 8th, 2026
Location: Any POTA park (or hunt POTA from home!)
Frequency: Any amateur radio frequency within your license class
Note: This event is not sponsored by the Parks On The Air Foundation.

What to expect:
Activate a park during the 24-hour event window. Submit your POTA activations and share your experiences with other participants.
Connect with other YLs from around the world. Share stories, tips, and support.
Learn more about POTA and how to get involved.

Why participate?
Celebrate the achievements of women in ham radio.
Connect with other YLs and build a supportive community.
Have fun and enjoy the POTA hobby.

How to participate:
Activate a park during the 24-hour event window
Submit your POTA activations to the POTA database.
Share your experiences and photos on social media using the hashtag #YLPOTAParty.
We encourage you to wear pink and/or decorate your station to show your support for International Women's Day!

Spread the word and invite your friends to join the party!
Together, we can make this a memorable event for all YLs in ham radio!
Event by KC1OHT Shannon Gibney, kc1oht@gmail.com

Similar YL POTA parties are held each year around International Women’s Day, with gatherings planned worldwide to celebrate women’s contributions to radio and their involvement in the hobby.

YL POTA Party - Erie Canalway, Spencerport, NY - March 7, 2026

On Saturday, March 7, women interested in amateur radio and portable operating are invited to spend the day together at Owens Lodge, Pineway Ponds Park along the Erie Canal in Spencerport, NY for a relaxed YL POTA Party.

Starting at 9:00 AM, the day kicks off with setting up portable stations and getting on the air, with plenty of time to operate, chat, and enjoy food throughout the day (we just need to be out by 9 PM). Bring your own portable equipment or operate from ours.

Please RSVP to Angela N3ARB and Matt K2EAG by email at brown@brownbuffalo.com .
You can also visit us at upstatenypota.com  
This is an unofficial event and is not sponsored by Parks On The Air.
***

Silent Key   2E0PDQ Denise Carpenter
 4 Jan, 2026  Good Afternoon,  Sadly I have to  report that Dear Denise 2E0PDQ passed away on the 26th of November, 2025.

I know she was well loved within the amateur radio fraternity.  She helped support the CHRG and help collect funds to keep three repeaters up on Caradon Hill in South East Cornwall up and running. Kind regards John G1YDQ

Bio. from QRZ.COM 2016: I'm married to John G1YDQ and we live just above the lovely fishing village of Polperro in S.E.Cornwall. I took the intermediate exam in December 2004. My Son Pete (G7VHJ) became licensed in 1995 also my Daughter-in-law Awen (2E1IFM) is licenced as are their children Karl (2E1IFN), Bryony (2E1IJL) and Richard (2E1KID). My Son-in-law Martin (G7UWI) has been licensed since 1995 and my Daughter Kirstie recently achieved the M3UWI call (2005) and their son Ricky is now 2E0UWI and younger granddaughter Abigail is now also licensed. 

*****

Silent Key Pamela Rose (G4STO). – 25th September 1944 – 11th November 2024.

Pam has been a member of the club since the late 1970’s having joined with her late beloved husband Joe, who sadly died suddenly in 1992. Both of them loved the club and the hobby and Pam following his death, was determined to fulfil Joe’s wish by helping to keep the club on ‘an even keel’. Taking on various positions on the committee, including the chairperson, treasurer at times and for nearly 3 decades as club Secretary. (Lincoln Short Wave club based in the village of Aisthorpe, UK)

Pam knew exactly what was required of her, she was a completely reliable person and was able to give 100% to our club business, despite many other interests she pursued in her local area. In the last few years, she also amazingly found time to have her hair completely shaved off on a couple of occasions, in a bid to raise, very successfully, much needed cash for cancer charities. She was a lovely lady with a drive that was the envy of many.

Pam was also instrumental in ensuring our club move from the Railway Club in the centre of Lincoln to Aisthorpe some 20 years ago, was done seamlessly, giving particular attention to the legal and planning aspects of the move. Similar support was given when we established a World War Two radio museum and radio shack at The Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre, East Kirkby in 2005.

Pam was a great team person, gave unstinted support to the club chairpersons and the rest of the committees over the years. She also involved herself in a wide scope of club activities such as administering our annual general meetings, arranging Amateur Radio Examinations for new members, sorting summer Bar-B-Ques, fixing up our annual Christmas Dinner and setting our Christmas Quiz to name but a few! She was also a very good photographer. Her photographs, together with their associated stories, appeared regularly on our club website and in our club reports sent to the Radio Society of Great Britain to be published in RADCOM. She was indeed a multi-talented person.

Over the past five years or so Pam has represented The LSWC (Lincoln Short Wave Club)  on The National HAMFEST (Lincoln) Ltd board who manage the HAMFEST at the Newark Show-ground each September.

Pam was objective, acted as a communication hub on all aspects of our business and just got on with it without any fuss! You knew exactly where you stood with Pam, she was direct and stated clearly how she felt about any controversial issues. She did not however hold any grudges and moved on from any disagreements, which was very refreshing. If you wanted anything doing well, well ‘ask a busy person’ – Pam was that person!

Throughout her illness Pam never complained, indeed right up until a couple of weeks before being admitted to hospital in October 2023, she was taking our club committee meeting minutes and publishing within a couple of days as she has done for years. She approached her cancer diagnose as something to confront and overcome. During her last year Pam was very proud of the many miles she had covered on her bicycle to help keep herself as fit as she could. The chemo-therapy sometimes meant that she could not meet us at the club for a few days as she was, of course, vulnerable to infection. She dealt with her plight with great courage and dignity, she was a remarkable lady, highly regarded by us all at the club. We are so grateful for her dedication to our club over so many years, she will be missed. Her impressive legacy will be with us for many years to come.  

Written by Peter Kendall, M0EJL, Club President

CONTACT    Over time, people change  emails, callsigns etc.  if any of your details change, remember to let me know.  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
*****
VP8TM - Falkland Isl.    14 - 28.02.26
Ops: yl DF3TS Martina as VP8TM & DC8TM / VP8TM Thomas Mueller
Bands: HF;  Modes: SSB & FT8
Webpage: https://www.qrz.com/db/DC8TM
 They will be activating SOTA, WWFF/POTA, IOTA, and Lighthouse.
*****
SYLRA 2026 (Scandinavian YL Radio Amateurs) in Sweden on Fårö, Gotland
Date 3.- 6. September  REGISTRATION is now open

Calendar Feb 2026
Feb 7 -8  5 edición Fin de semana de Parques Americanos American Parks Weekend Feb 11    International Day of Women and Girls in Science
Feb 13    World Radio Day Thursday
Feb 13 – 14 2026 YL-OM Contest  Friday- Saturday, https://ylrl.net/#:~:text
Feb 16    Aniversario  de  la Creación del Grupo Yl Argentina (7)
Feb 20 - 22     2026  - 18th  "American Lighthouse Weekend",
Feb 22    Girlguiding   World Thinking Day on the Air; 2026 celebrate 100 yeas
March 8          International Women’s Day

 

POPs Continues... 2026 and on.

For many years now POPs has happened on a Wednesday morning at the West Rand Amateur Radio Club.

You don't have to be 'poor' to join in. Nor 'old' - scrub that! - 'Elderly' in newspeak. Or a 'pensioner'. That last didn't mean any of the other classifications either!

A quiet get together of like-minded individuals where a multitude of subjects would be discussed. Some technical others non-technical. If you were to sum up the years of experience it would be in the hundreds.

Yes there will be radios! Old and new - discussed, torn down, maybe even modified. 

Maybe even history discussed. Some times a presentation when the mood takes us.

--- Are you interested then come visit on a Wednesday around 09:45 at the club.

If you don't know where that is, look us up on WRARC
 

amateur radio ladies yl.beam #147 dec 2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contents

• 2025 Queens of the Mountains K1LIZ award  goes to ZS5APT!
• Newsline honouring Adele Slier Tyler ZS5APT.
• Congratulations & Welcome New South African ladies.
• Elri du Randt, ZU6EDR cover of RadioZS.
• Pia DL7PIA YACHT Young Amateurs Communications Ham Team.
• DX Marathon Youth Champion: Pia DL7PIA  from Germany.
• Youthful Spirit from Indonesia Siti Fathiyyah Azizah (YC8BUL).
• Salta's Fiesta del Milagro “Miracle Fiesta”.
• Mountain Pilgrims assisted by YL Salta Group (Argentina).
• Out-and-About
• YU3AWA Marija at ICC  Istra Contest Conference, Croatia.
• LZ1ENE  Elena Nikolova, from Bulgaria climbed Mont Ararat.
• Encourage a Solo Sailor? Golden Globe Race.
• CONTACT 

*****

2025 Queens of the Mountains K1LIZ award  goes to ZS5APT!
SOTA (Summits-On-The-Air) Awards   9 Nov 2025
We are pleased to announce that Adéle Tyler, ZS5APT, is the recipient of the 2025 Queens of the Mountains K1LIZ award.
Adéle achieved several of the goals for the QoM event: she activated 2 summits jointly with YL operators, logged at least 2 S2S QSOs with YL stations, and made at least 5 YL chaser QSOs (exclusive of her S2S QSOs). But what made Adéle’s participation really stand out this year
were her efforts in recruiting 6 ZS YL operators and 22 YL and OM chasers from ZS and V5 to participate in QoM.
The event exists to encourage greater YL activity in SOTA, and the K1LIZ award is given to the YL whose participation captures Liz’s indomitable spirit to let no obstacle stand in one’s way. Adéle’s own performance, and her work to bring others into the event, exemplify these aspects of the event. Please join us in congratulating Adéle!
73  Amy Haptonstall AG7GP  &  Paula M. Uscian K9IR
https://reflector.sota.org.uk/t/2025-qom-k1liz-award-goes-to-zs5apt/39545
Lorene W6LOR from USA, SOTA - Queens of the Mountains 1st year, 2024

fb Amy Haptonstall AG7GP,  18 Nov 2025
Found this by accident on Newsline honoring Adele Slier Tyler ZS5APT for our Queens of the Mountains event. Fast forward to about 15:45, Nov 14th, 2025. Great note on K1LIZ too.
 https://www.arnewsline.org/
*****

Congratulations & Welcome New South African Ladies
RAE October 2025  RadioZS Nov (10 new YLs)
ZS1AGK Angie; ZS1ILL  Ingrid; ZS1KLY Kelley; ZS1MFB Marina
ZS2RJ  Robyn; ZS2SHM Shanelle; ZS2TAM Tamryn
ZR6AS  Ammaarah ; ZS6RT Rendan; ZS6GWN Gwendolyne
*****
South African  Elri du Randt, ZU6EDR appeared on the cover of local magazine RadioZS Nov 2025. She  attended  the 2025 YOTA Summer Camp in Jambville, France during August, 2025. .She gained her Restricted license in May 2023.
*****
YACHT Young Amateurs Communications Ham Team   
KG8CX Edward Engleman  co-founder of Y.A.C.H.T and activities coordinator wrote  ·14/03/2025: Just received a wonderful reply to an email from Pia DL7PIA in Germany.
 Thank you very much for your email and your kind words. Your information about YACHT was very interesting! I also had a look on your website. It is really fantastic what you are doing for our wonderful hobby and how you support young ham radio operators!
I am very active in amateur radio. For me it's very important to keep this wonderful and unique hobby alive. I always try to make amateur radio more visible for the public and to get more people, especially young ones interested in it. Especially when I am operating portable in a park or from the mountains, there are a lot of interested people, asking me what I am doing. That´s the perfect way to tell them about our hobby and to show them what we are doing. It is not just words, but something real you can see, hear and experience.  I think there is no other hobby that is as versatile and connected as amateur radio. I speak 6 languages and there are more to come. It's so great if you can talk to someone in his or her native language. Also important for me is to show other young people that it is not necessary to work at a big gun station to have a lot of fun in our hobby. I am still working here with simple homemade wire antennas and a Yaesu FT 991 A. Everything I have been able to achieve so far in world wide contests for example, was with
my simple equipment. Sure it´s maybe easier to work at a big station, but it's a great feeling if you can win a contest with your simple equipment and homemade antennas. Not every young person has the opportunity to operate from a big station or the financial resources to buy expensive equipment, but that doesn't reduce the fun and enjoyment you can have!
It would be great to join your evening chat sessions or Sat. youth net, but as you said, it will be very difficult for me because of the time difference...
It would be an honor for me to become a member of YACHT! I saw on your website that I can
joyn YACHT with filling out a form and I will definitely do that.
I wish you a good new week and hope to hear you soon on the bands!
All the best to you and your family and greetings from the edge of the Black Forest!
73 de Pia, DL7PIA

DX Marathon Youth Champion: Pia DL7PIA’s Story Will Inspire You!
Pia Wurster, DL7PIA, isn’t just another young ham—she’s a force on the airwaves. From learning Morse code at age five to earning her amateur extra-class license at 12, Pia has embraced ham radio with unstoppable enthusiasm. Now 18, she’s racking up DX contacts, winning awards like the Youth plaque in the DX Marathon, and even organizing a special event station to mark her hometown’s 1250th anniversary. Whether she’s operating portable from mountaintops or proving that ham radio still has a thriving future, Pia is setting the pace for the next generation.   W1DED Worldwide Ham Radio    4 Mar 2025

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrglGU3o3bo    (19.3 Mins)
******

Youthful Spirit in the World of Amateur Radio
Siti Fathiyyah Azizah (YC8BUL) Amateur radio operator from the Local Orari of Pangkep Regency, South Sulawesi, Indonesia. Siti Fathiyyah Azizah (17 years old) succeeded in winning first place in the Malang Raya DX Contest (MRDXC) 2025 event held by the Local ORARI (Organisasi Amatir Radio Indonesia) of Malang Raya (Jawa) on September 20–21, 2025.
YC8BUL emerged as the winner in the Single Operator Low Power Indonesia Advance Class category with a score of 213,950 points. This result was obtained from 320 communication contacts (QSOs) and 55 multipliers on the 40-meter and 10-meter SSB bands.
Fathiyyah has previously achieved numerous national and international achievements. She received a plaque and international certificate from The Radio Amateurs' Magazine CQ for winning the Youth Overlay, Oceania, category at the 2024 CQ World Wide DX Contest (SSB). Not only that, in the 2025 South Jakarta DX Contest (SJDx Contest), Fathiyyah also performed brilliantly by winning First Place in the YL (Young Lady) Category.This series of achievements demonstrates YC8BUL's enthusiasm and capabilities as a millennial operator who continues to develop in the world of amateur radio.
According to Fathiyyah, amateur radio activities provide many valuable lessons. "I love amateur radio because I can learn so much here, about communication, cooperation, discipline, and precision. Every competition provides new experiences and motivates me to keep practicing. For me, amateur radio is a way to hone my skills and do something positive," she said.
Author: YB8 FBLDrs. WAHYUDDIN
1st licensed  2021 (13 years old).  
https://teraswaktoe.com/siti-fathiyyah-azizah-yc8bul-bukti-semangat-muda-di-dunia-amatir-radio/?fbclid=IwY2xjawNz3ZNleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHoR9iNJrvh5lyNTtT1sVNnDxJIL5iaOZb18IrgxufbAIt_c9Lz6scTqGgruT_aem_pAzdZ7RqdGuLbaklsIURpA
*****


Salta's Fiesta del Milagro (“Miracle Fiesta”), 
held each September, commemorates the aftermath of a particularly severe earthquake in 1692 when religious icons were paraded through the streets of the capital of Salta . More than 300 years old, the feast of Our Lord and the Virgin of the Miracle is one of the most popular in Argentina, attracting more than Half a Million Pilgrims.

Mountain Pilgrims assisted by YL Salta Group (Argentina)
Festival in Honor of the Lord and Virgin of the Miracle (Salta) September 12,2025  
A group of six women, all from Maywa trekking, three of them radio amateurs (LU8OMA - Marcela, LU7OAM - Malvina, LU5OIJ - Juliana), climbed the Manzano Pass, at 3,200 meters above sea level, to welcome approximately 100 pilgrims from Cerro Negro. We assisted with communications between the group at altitude and School 4106, where an operational base was located. Three radio amateurs (LU9OTA - Jorge, LU5OFS - Fatima, and LU6OBD - Dario) were stationed there.
We accompanied the pilgrimage, heading for the Paraje el Cruce School. Along the way, another radio amateur (LU8ONR - Ana) joined us, who not only accompanied but also assisted two others. Enrique (LU4OED) also joined the pilgrimage group with his portable flowerpot antenna. Information was also provided to the family of one of the pilgrims at the base. All communications were made possible thanks to the CRESTON repeater, which was installed at the school by LU5BOJ (Adolfo) and LU9OMN (Andres).

*****
Out-and-About
 Irina DL8DYL from Germany, active in Montserrat  
The Island Hopper Group operated from Gingerbread Hill in St Peters, Montserrat for CQWW SSB: October 25 - 26, 2025.
Montserrat, part of the Leeward Islands, is in the Caribbean.

OZ7AM Nadia from Denmark - will be on the air from Kangerlussuaq, Greenland, as OX7AM, from November 26 to December 3, 2025 mainly CW.

N6LY Liz Morris-Mowrey (USA)  & I K0SQ Kevin Mowrey received our 5th Annual Alcatraz Island Special Event permit for December 5th, 2025. Parks US-7888 & US-0647.
******

ICC  Istra Contest Conference  Croatia, Poreč, 9th - 12th October 2025
YU3AWA Marija Kostić, YL from Serbia.   16/10/2025
I am glad that I finally managed to organize myself and go to the Fourth Annual Istra Contest Conference that I have been looking forward to for so long!
I have to take this opportunity to thank the hosts who were so wonderful and I felt at home. A big thank you to all the radio amateurs from Croatia who participated in the organization, and especially Davor 9A1UN and Mirko 9A6KX.
I am very happy that I spent the weekend by the sea and met so many great radio operators! It was truly an honor to be in their company and learn from some of the best. Every lecture that was organized was fantastic, about many interesting DXpeditions and information about the trip itself and the experience. It is incredible how much their stories inspired me to try even harder and be better at contests.
I have had QSOs with a lot of radio amateurs before, but only now have I had the opportunity to meet them. I am especially glad to meet Denin KX7M, Aleksandar 9A3XV, Drago S59A, Mate 9A4M, Emir E77DX, Simon S53K, Darko 9A5X and many more! I have already agreed with some that we will work together in one of the future contests,
*****

LZ1ENE  Elena Nikolova, from Bulgaria  climbed Mont Ararat
Mont Ararat - Peak Ağrı Dağı 5165 m. the highest peak of the Armenian highland, is currently located in the territory of Turkey. Believed to be the last refuge of Noah's Ark. Ararat is a sacred mountain according to Armenians.
Planned period of expedition 03-10.08.2025⛰️ Ascension Day: 08/08/2025 climbing starts during night, peak expected between 06:30-07:30am local time, UTC+3).
The group could be followed with real-time satellite tracking (link) https://adventureteam.bg/live2/  Which will track where the group came from and when they are at the top (no mobile network coverage on summit).  so a satellite tracker is the only way to track the group's position. Data is updated automatically every 10 min. and will start transmitting around noon Bulgarian time on the day of entry (05.08.) and will continue until exit (09.08.).
LZ1ENE  Elena hoped to make  radio connections on the summit on simplex 145.450 FM for around 15-20 minutes, depending on weather conditions.  However, a strong wind, about 55-65 km/h, was blowing at the summit making radio contact impossible.
Equipment: Icom T90A + telescopic antenna Diamond RH770 dual band, 93 cm, 3 dB gain.
 Ararat Peak is not in the SOTA program.
*****
Encourage a Solo Sailor?
17 Nov 2025   Hello Heather. I am helping a female sailor to build a network of amateur radio operators to support her during the 2026 Golden Global Race. Could you please help identify volunteer amateur radio operators along the route, especially in England, South Africa, and New Zealand ? She will be sailing solo; please share it on the yl newsletter, the yl members might be interested in helping.
If possible, please contact me via WhatsApp at +55 51 9 9692-8812
73 de PY3APY  HENRIQUE SCHUCHMANN MORADOR  
[PY3APY is from  Porto Alegre, RS  Brazil. He has kept skeds with various Maritime Mobiles.]

Golden Globe Race
Departs from Les Sables-d’Olonne, France on September 6th, 2026 and is sailed solo, non-stop around the world, via the five Great Capes and returns to Les Sables-d’Olonne.
Entrants are limited to sailing similar yachts and equipment to what was available in the first race 1968. That means sailing without modern technology or the benefit of satellite-based navigation aids. They will be navigating with sextant on paper charts, without electronic instruments or autopilots. They will hand-write their logs and determine the weather for themselves. Only occasionally will they talk to loved ones and the outside world when long-range high-frequency radios allow.
 It is now possible to race a monohull yacht solo around the world in under 80 days, but sailors entered in this race will spend around 250 days at sea in little boats, challenging themselves and each other. Competitors must sail in production boats between 32ft and 36ft overall (9.75 – 10.97m) designed prior to 1988 . 
*****

Wishing all a Blessed Christmas & Hanukkah - See you in the New Year🥳
The way forward is to open the doors wider. Equity- inclusion – diversity.
*****
Santa Net
Returns on 3.916 MHz for the 20th year! Starting Friday, November 28th via amateur radio, nightly at 7:00 PM (Central). The Santa Net will run every night through Christmas Eve, December 24, 2024.  Youngsters can talk to "Santa at The North Pole" via strategically placed operators (Santa Net Relay Stations) who relay the voice of Santa. Prior to each night's Santa Net, pre-net check-ins can be made at https://www.cqsanta.com/

*****
CONTACT     yl.beam news: Editor Eda (Heather) zs6ye.yl@gmail.com
newsletters can be found: https://jbcs.co.za/wp/
It is now published on:-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/
Unsubscribe: If you do not wish to receive this newsletter, please email: zs6ye.yl@gmail.com

amateur radio ladies yl.beam #146 nov. 2025

 amateur radio ladies 

 yl.beam #146 nov. 2025

Contents

Argentine female CW Champion LU1EJ Elsa Isabe Andiarena,  
Wallis and Futuna Islands
DX expedition to Wallis Island FW5K  20 October – 7 November 2025
RSGB appoints a new CW Champion Laura Robertson, MM7BFL
Letters to the Editor: W7KFI Susan Meckley & HC3MC Elizabeth Camposano,
Silent Key   DU1MCM Cristy Miravalles 
Contact & Calendar

*****

 

 

 

LU1EJ Elsa Isabe Andiarena,  by Carlos Almirón LU7DSY Oct 23, 2024

Argentine female CW Champion
Elsa Isabel Andiarena LU1EJ, simply Elsita to the extended LU family, was born on January 25, 1952, in Cacharí, a town of fewer than three thousand inhabitants located 60 km from the city of Azul, the capital of the department of the same name, in the province of Buenos Aires.
With no connection to the world of radio, as a child Elsita was fascinated by the way people communicated at night on her maternal grandfather's farm, where there were two houses a little over a hundred meters apart. Using the gate posts, her grandfather and mother, with their ranch lanterns, would place interchangeable letters in the small window of the glass cylinder, sending short messages.
She had never heard of amateur radio, but she had heard of telegraphy, and knowing nothing about it, one day she decided to go and speak with the postmaster of Cacharí, whose last name was Larregina, who introduced her to the world of Morse code.
Self-taught, without role models, but with enormous determination and willpower, she went for more. She traveled to Azul to speak with the postmaster of that city, Pedro Favale, to whom she said she wanted to be a telegraph operator. He told her for the first time about the work of amateur radio operators, of whom there were fewer than ten in Azul and none operated in CW. He told her she should prepare for a test demonstrating knowledge of CW technique, regulations, operation, and transmission and reception at 5 words per minute.
Shortly before the end of 1978, when she felt confident, she took the test, being examined by Favale himself, who, very pleased with her performance, gave her an old vertical key that she still keeps. On May 7, 1979, she received her first license, LW2ENK. She got married, moved to the countryside, and with very little, began to discover the world of radio waves. With a large Cobra transceiver and a BC3 antenna for citizens' band, also usable on SSB in the small portion for CW on 10 meters.
With perseverance, patience, and many hours of listening, she gradually became familiar with the airwaves until she decided to try it out. Elsita recalls hearing a very strong Spanish station, EC6, in a QSO with the United States, which she couldn't receive.
She began calling him insistently without getting a response, until during a very slow transmission, the Spanish station indicated she should switch to a voice frequency. Although Elsa didn't like using the microphone,, in a rather unfriendly monologue, expressed her displeasure at him for interfering with their communication. With a few tears and evident frustration, she learned her lesson, and 24 hours later, she had her dream debut, communicating with DL6LD. That German station became a part of Elsita's personal history for having given her its radio mentorship.
Her progress was unstoppable, with so many daily QSOs that she would stay up all night preparing the QSL cards, which she confirmed through the bureau of the Argentine Radio Club. Her ex-husband, Ricardo Panebianco, formerly LU6EC, joined her, and amateur radio became a daily topic of conversation in their home.
After the first three years, she passed the QSL card exam at the Avellaneda Radio Club in 1982. In response to a written request, she was granted the license LU1EJ, a two-letter suffix, for faster participation in international contests.
When she reached the Superior category, with thousands of QSOs under her belt and a comfortable 30 words per minute reception rate, she began to achieve significant success. To avoid wasting time on confirmations, she delegated the QSL management role to Pepe Ardid EA5KB from Valencia, Spain, who sent her two packets of QSL cards per year, in addition to those from the RCA bureau.
DXCC success on 10, 12, 15, 17, and 20 meters quickly followed. It took her a couple of years to earn the Japan Prefectures diploma.
The arrival of the new century saw a well-equipped station with a JVP antenna, dipoles for all bands, and a TS 450S transceiver. Linked to the Argentine CW Group, her friend Uranito Silva LU1DZ (SK) brought her an electronic caller from England on one of his trips, allowing her to rest during contests. Of the diplomas she won in international contests, she keeps framed the one from the 2006 World Wide DX Contest (photo 3), where, as a single operator with low power on 10 meters, she placed third in the world, first in South America, and first in Argentina.

 

Elsa has a large number of trophies, plaques, and awards from her extensive participation in contests both nationally and internationally. The one she cherishes most, because it took her five years to complete, is the large silver cup from the Argentine Radio Club, representing "500 locations or postal codes of the Argentine Republic." Another beautiful gold trophy is for first prize in one of the editions of the Argentine Naval Prefecture Contest.
Elsita was one of the founders of the Azul Radio Club LU1DDO on May 27, 1994, and served as its first treasurer. They had the invaluable support of Luis Calabrese, head of the Amateur Radio section of the [unspecified organization].
Selvamar Noticias - Publicación No 58 Diciembre 2024 p 36,37

*****

Wallis and Futuna two little-known French-funded volcanic specks lie smack in the centre of the Polynesia/Melanesia region ocated at 13°18′S 176°12′W,.  Comprised of three tropical islands (Wallis, Futuna and Alofi) and a number of tiny islets. It is located 280 km northeast of Fiji and 370 km west of Samoa in the South Pacific Ocean. The territory itself is split between the two main island groups (Wallis and Futuna) lying about 260 kilometres apart.
Fishing and agriculture are the traditional occupations, and most people live in traditional oval, thatch fale houses. Kava is a popular beverage. Aircalin (Air Calédonie International) is the only airline operating flights to the islands.
Wallis is famed as one of world’s top kitesurfing spots, with other attractions including sea kayaking, SUP boarding, scuba diving, va’a outrigger canoes, fishing and surfing.

 

 

DX expedition to Wallis Island FW5K  20 October – 7 November 2025
The NCDXF (Northern California  DX Foundation) is pleased to announce a grant to Hannah Rosenfeld, W7HER, to be an operator on the DX expedition to Wallis Island FW5K . She will be accompanied by her father Scott, N7JI, and the DXObsessed expedition team - Alex K6VHF, Dave KA6BIM, Hannah W7HAN, OC NG7E, Scott N7JI and Marc NC7M.
“She is a very active amateur radio operator, founder of the University of Oregon Radio Club, W7DUX, and a Youth Amateur Radio Leader.  She obtained her Extra license in June, 2020, shortly after turning 18.
DXCC most wanted 09 Sept 2025 — FW WALLIS & FUTUNA ISLANDS # 96
 Hannah - W7HER, will activate SSB FT8 RTTY
VK4DI Diane Main 20/10/2025  from Australia (ALARA) : WOO HOO: I just worked Hannah on Wallis & Futuna 17m SSB. A guy was calling CQ and when I called they swapped operators for another YL operator for me.

*****

RSGB appoints a new CW Representative          July 4, 2025
RSGB (Royal Society of Great Britain) is delighted to announce that Laura Robertson, MM7BFL has agreed to take on the volunteer role of CW Rep for the RSGB.
Laura will head up the RSGB’s Morse-related activities and is an advocate for the use of CW.
Laura is a member of CWops and volunteers in the CW Academy team as a co-advisor, primarily assisting EU-based amateurs who are enrolled on the courses. She is often active on the HF bands using CW in POTA and SOTA activities, as well as from her home station.
Licensed in 2020 as both KO4DFJ (US) & MM7BFL (UK)

Laura's Morse code journey began with the Long Island CW Club  during her military service. After retiring from the military in 2023, Laura committed to daily CW practice and regular on-air activity. She joined the CWOps Academy for structured learning and graduated in February 2025
 KO4DFJ (US Callsign) Laura enjoys operating from her home shack but has a particular passion for QRP field operations, participating in POTA (Parks on the Air), SOTA (Summits on the Air), and general QSOs
Continuing her commitment to the CW community, Laura leads weekly "No Op Left Behind" (NOLB) student-led Morse practice sessions for AC6AC graduates and current students, building a vibrant community of Morse code enthusiasts.

*****

 

Letters to the Editor: 

 

W7KFI Susan Meckley        6 Aug, 2025

I recently received a certificate of appreciation from the US Air Force 4th communications wing for 73 years of US MARS participation .  
At 90 years old I can no longer climb trees or go up on the  roof of our building to install or work on antennas.   Can't remember when I got my first license.  I think I was 8 or 9, at 90 I just cannot do math anymore.
I can still do CW every day to keep my brain active.  Having been a ham since 1947 it was finally time to lay my USAF MARS call sign, AAFZ4SM ,to rest.
It has been great with Ham radio as W7Kfi/MM  solo sailing my 32 foot sailboat (USSV Dharma) on solo dxpeditions on the Pacific ocean.  I truly miss being on the boat, at sea, with an almost zero noise level.  
However all things must come to an end.  I now live in the Armed Forces Retirement Home in Gulfport,Mississippi, USA where, thank goodness, there is an antenna for me to use on my K3.  The bands are not free of QRN but at least I am on the air daily. 73's to Y'all from W7KFI/4 

And thanks to everyone for great QSO's over the past many years.  BCNU on 20 or 40 CW. The website is good on QRZ.   MSG Susan Meckley, USA (Retired)
[Military Auxiliary Radio System (MARS):  is a U.S. Department of Defense program that trains volunteer amateur radio operators to provide contingency and backup communications for the military.]
https://qsotoday.libsyn.com/episode-109-susan-meckley-w7kfi
QSO Today Podcast  Episode 109 Susan Meckley W7KFI   Sep 2, 2016

*****

Silent Keys
HC3MC Elizabeth Camposano, from Ecuador.  8 Aug, 2025
We deeply regret the passing of such great ladies of the air. May their example remain ingrained in the hearts of the entire amateur radio community so that this activity does not die with us but rather endures forever. 88

******

 

Silent Key

The Philippine Amateur Radio Association, Inc. (PARA) expresses its heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of  DU1MCM Cristy Miravalles (S/k) former PARA Secretariat/Staff.
Her dedication, kindness, and years of loyal service to PARA will always be remembered and appreciated by the entire ham radio community.
Rest peacefully, Cristy. You will forever remain in our hearts. 73 and goodbye.
*****

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

*****

 

N9H HEDY LAMARR DAY ON NOVEMBER 9TH 2025.
For the 10th year this special event net will be on at 9am est, (14:00 UTC)
ECHOLINK on the  *ROC-HAM* Conference Server Node 531091
ALLSTAR Nodes 2585, 47620, 47918
DMR TGIF Talk Group 2585
DMR Extended Freedom Network Talk Group 2585
Extended Freedom Network SIP Portal 2585
The net which will run for 4 hours or longer depending on the number of stations checking in.
HF  on 20 Meters at 14.313

Calendar November 2025
Nov        YL NTX Weekly Net Anniversary, started 2015
Nov 1     All Saints’ Day Silent Key Memorial Contest   Mode: CW only    
Nov. 2    Day of the Dead, or Dia de los Muertos
Nov 2, 1941   84th Birthday  CO6MQ MARIA  DEL  CARMEN (MARY) RUIZ PEREZ Cuba
Nov 4-7   Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing (GHC)  2025
Nov 5       Brasil –  Dia Nacional do Radioamador (Day of Radio Amateurs).annually
Nov 9,      96 Birthday  PT2TF-Therezinha Felix Cardoso    DOB 10 Nov 1929

Nov 9       Japan Ladies Radio Society (JLRS) "YL CQ Day"2nd  Sunday of every month!
Nov 9       Hedy Lamarr Day  (Keep your 88's straight)

 

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
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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
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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
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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