Wireless Women yl.beam #153 june 2026

Contents
YL SOTA Special Event Weekend  'Queens of the Mountains'
What & why SOTA
SOTA Getting started made easy
From Skirts to Summits - The Cholita Climbers of Bolivia
YL Meet Ham Radio Fair Friedrichshafen 26- 28 June, 2026
Elvira Simoncini, IV3FSG, inducted into DX Hall of Fame
Radioaficionados YL Salta (Argentina)
Calendar & Contact
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logo below kindly designed by Lesley Perchman

YL SOTA Special Event Weekend  'Queens of the Mountains'
3rd Annual event starting 0000Z on June 13 and ending at 2359Z on June 14, 2026.
YLs from around the world to activate summits.
YL to YL DX QSOs will be recognised with a WWW-World Wide Women's certificate.

'Queens of the Mountains' was created with the intention of bringing YLs together to foster camaraderie, inspire women to try SOTA, and shine light on how supportive and welcoming ham radio, particularly SOTA, is to women.
Inaugurated in June 2024, the QoM Liz Burns K1LIZ Award is given to the YL whose participation captures Liz’s indomitable spirit to let no obstacle stand in her way.
2024 Recipient: Lorene Samoska, W6LOR
2025 Recipient: Adele Tyler, ZS5APT

What & why SOTA
YO6EVA Eva Kelemen Gajdo, reached a thousand points in May 2018 becoming the 1st YL Mountain Goat in Romania. In order to understand why YO6EVA Eva should have been broadcasting radio signals from the highest peak in the Alps and what activation means we need to introduce the radio-sport called SOTA. The acronym comes from 'Summits on the Air'. 
Launched in 2002 by radio amateurs who combined their passion for radio with mountaineering. It is a fun and challenging activity that encourages portable operation in mountainous areas. SOTA has been designed to make participation possible for everyone – you don’t have to be a mountaineer! The peaks score between 1 and 10 according to their height.
There are awards for activators (those who hike to the summits) and chasers (those who operate from home, a local hilltop, or another summit).
After earning a thousand points (1000), the competitor is awarded the title 'Mountain Goat' and receives a trophy. There are no fees and you can participate on your own schedule. 
SOTA has hundreds of participants in Associations across the World, all sharing the same award ethos and infrastructure. Note that SOTA is an award programme not a club or society; as such you can't be a "Member" of SOTA but you can certainly be a participant!
More info: https://www.sota.org.uk
ZS5APT Adele, 2x Mountain Goat from South Africa says: There is still nothing quite like setting up a portable station on a summit, calling “CQ SOTA”, and hearing someone answer your call.

SOTA Getting started made easy Register atsota.org.uk
Choose an easy summit nearby (check SOTAwatch or SOTLAS)
Start with existing gear — a handheld on 2 m is enough for a first activation
Announce your activation on SOTAwatch so chasers are ready
Climb the summit, operate, enjoy
SOTA is one of the most rewarding activities in amateur radio. You are outdoors in nature, getting exercise and operating amateur radio at the same time. The combination of mountain hiking and radio creates experiences you would never have sitting at a desk. And the view from the summit comes free of charge. 73 – youroeradio.ateditorial team
https://oeradio.at/en/sota-in-austria-operating-from-summit-to-summit/

Editorial note:The following story has nothing to do with radio but I was impressed by the attitude of these women from Bolivia and hope you will be too. Climbing Cholitas, a group of Indigenous women are on a mission to reclaim their power. One climb at a time, they endure tough routes at extreme altitudes, all while wearing traditional pollera skirts as an act of resistance. Mountains do not discriminate and neither do radio-waves. You do not have to climb the highest peaks, just head for your local hill-top in a frilly frock, sprinkle some sparkles on your radios and call CQ. Please share your stories and pictures on Social Media and with me. Have fun. 33 Heather ZS5YH

From Skirts to Summits- Julia Kursten
The Cholita Climbers of Bolivia, or Las Cholitas Escaladoras Bolivianas, are a group of Indigenous, Aymara, women mountaineers who climb peaks in Latin America. They do not wear modern mountaineering clothing, preferring instead their traditional costumes including polleras, brightly colored, full, pleated skirts with many under skirts. They do wear helmets and boots and use crampons, ice picks and ropes but carry their equipment on their backs in traditional shawls.
The group was founded in 2015 by local women including Cecilia Llusco Alaña. The women are part of a tight knit community who work and live in the mountains. Their most notable expedition was on January 23, 2019 when they became the first Aymara women to summit Aconcagua, the highest mountain in the Americas.
History
The Cholita climbers live in the cities of La Paz and El Alto, and so are accustomed to high altitude conditions. The women range from 24 to 50 years old. Many of them have family or work connections to mountaineering. For example, Cecilia Llusco Alaña started helping her father, a trekking guide, at the age of eight. Others in the group have partners who are climbers or have themselves worked as porters or high mountain cooks on climbing expeditions.
In 2015, eleven Cholitas Escaladoras, led by mountain cook Lidia Huayllas Estrada, made it to the summit of Huayna Potosí, a 6,088 meter high peak in Bolivia, in a single attempt.
They then decided to climb mountains all over Latin America, despite the fact that it was judged by many to be inappropriate or impossible for women in their community to be mountaineers.
The word Cholita has been used pejoratively to refer to Aymara women. They have also been ridiculed for wearing their traditional costumes and have been discriminated against in public spaces and in employment opportunities. To challenge these negative connotations, this group of mountaineers climb in their traditional attire.
After Huayna Potosi, the group climbed Acotango, a mountain between Bolivia and Chile, Parinacota, Pomarapi, Illimani and Bolivia's highest mountain, Sajama de Oruro, all peaks higher than 6000 meters above sea level. Individuals in the group now accompany tourists on their climbs as regular guides.
On January 23, 2019, they made history by reaching their highest summit so far; they climbed Aconcagua (6,968 meters) in Mendoza, Argentina, the highest summit in the western hemisphere. The climb was sponsored by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Bolivia and the expedition is now detailed in a documentary film called 'Cholitas' that premiered in Spain.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41NdWRsGfN83.11 mins English

DL-yl.png

YL Meet Ham Radio Fair Friedrichshafen from 26- 28 June, 2026
Invitation to All YLs: Join Us at the HAM RADIO Fair in Friedrichshafen
The amateur radio fair in Friedrichshafen is just around the corner, taking place from June 26 to 28, 2026.
The German YL booth will once again serve as a meeting point, and we are absolutely delighted to welcome international YLs and visitors from all corners of the globe.
A special highlight awaits us on Saturday at 2:30 p.m (1430), beginning with the international YL reception on the main stage near the entrance.
This will be followed by the official awards ceremony honoring the top achievers of this March’s International YL World Wide Award - YL WWA.
Afterwards, we invite you to join us at the YL booth for a social gathering.
It is a wonderful opportunity to share stories, reconnect with old friends, and build new connections.
Our YL President, Heike (DL3HD), and I would be honored to welcome you in person.
We look forward to seeing familiar faces and meeting many of you for the very first time.
Beste Grüße und vy 73 Veronika Weber-Wigand, DL4VER
YL - Referentin Distrikt Hessen (F)

Great job, Elvira IV3FSG!

17 May 2026 At DaytonElvira Simoncini, IV3FSG, was inducted into the DX Hall of Fame, considered the “Nobel Prize” of the DX world.🍾🥂👏👏👏
INDEXA Foundation selected her among many world-class DXers, recognising her extraordinary contribution to the DX community through her numerous DXpeditions, most of them carried out solo.
Only two women are members of the DX Hall of Fame, and Elvira is the first one inducted exclusively for her DX operating achievements.

Elvira Simoncini IV3FSG most recently 3X3A has been inducted into the CQ DX Hall of Fame. Elvira has been an enthusiastic DX explorer who has operated from 34 different DXCC entities since 1990, often with a strong humanitarian focus, including her association with "IT WITHOUT BORDERS."
In a world constantly facing new digital challenges, this association seeks to reduce the digital divide through the intelligent, supportive, and sustainable use of technology, implementing non-profit projects in emergency and marginalised situations worldwide. It also promotes innovative IT initiatives for people with disabilities. After a professional life dedicated entirely to teaching, this volunteer work provided her with numerous opportunities to travel and engage in amateur radio, almost always independently, while continuously optimising her portable equipment. This volunteer work often included introducing young students to amateur radio through courses and demonstrations.

Radioaficionadas YL Salta (Argentina)
YL: Walkers of the Invisible Voices
The women walkers, the YL, advance along the trails of Salta with firm steps, as if the mountains themselves were inviting them to discover hidden secrets. Their backpacks carry more than provisions and warm clothing; they carry with them the magic of radio, that gateway to invisible paths where voices meet faceless, yet soulful.
The fresh mountain air mingles with the crunch of leaves under their boots. They stop in a clearing, where the sun bathes the hills in golden hues and the wind whispers ancient stories. With an almost sacred ritual, they set up their equipment. They adjust antennas, turn knobs, and the silence of the place fills with the murmur of static, as if the universe were holding its breath.
“CQ CQ CQ,” one of them says, her voice serene yet expectant, floating in the air like a silken thread. The radio crackles, there's a pause, and then it arrives: a distant response, a voice caught in the waves that has travelled miles to find them. They don't know the face behind that voice, but it doesn't matter. It's an invisible friend, a companion crossing the void to share a part of themselves.
They talk about everything and nothing. About the approaching rain, the steps they still have to take, the moon that will soon light their way back. The words are simple, but they fill the space like a bridge between worlds, a reminder that they are not alone, neither on the trails, nor in life.
Some laugh, others remain silent, each lost in their own thoughts as twilight paints the sky purple. The contacts are not just a game of frequencies; they are an act of faith, a leap into the unknown that always finds an echo. The voices in the air gift them stories, improvised poems, sometimes just a "thank you" that resonates deeper than any long conversation.
When the sun sets and shadows embrace the mountains, the YLs pack up their equipment, but they don't turn off their radios. They continue walking under the stars, accompanied by the voices of their invisible friends, weaving dreams along the trails.
Each step is a heartbeat, each touch a connection that transcends time and space. They are more than hikers; they are weavers of invisible threads, guardians of a world that lives on the airwaves, where every voice has a place and every silence, a promise of reunion. Jorge Tisera LU9OTA (Jan 4, 2025)

Calendar June 2026
June 1     15th Anniversary of 1st yl.beam newsletter 2011
June13-14 'Queens of the Mountains' YL SOTA Special Event Weekend 2026
         YLs activate summits. YL to YL 
June 12–14 YU SOTA IV – Ham Radio Friendship Event | Despotovac, Serbia
June 13-14 ZS SOTA Weekend
June 19    ce4ylc  aniversario (radio club yl chile)
June 26–28 49th HAM RADIO Friedrichshafen 2026,
          + the 75th Lake Constance Meeting of the DARC e.V.

CONTACT  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

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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/
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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 #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.

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.
CONTACT     yl.beam news: Editor Eda (Heather) zs6ye.yl@gmail.com
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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.

RAE Backgrounder 2025-02-13

Some additional notes and musings about the content on the RAE course. 

Resistors 

Resistors nowadays don't have coloured bands or markings. SMDs come on a long tape. They are placed by a numerical controlled XY machine onto printed circuit boards. [Pick and Place machine] Then soldered into place.

Q So why do we make you learn the 'colour code'?

A Well the code values gets used elsewhere. e.g. Cables denoting the number of the wire. Pins 1 to 9. 

A Also you will be able to re-use old resistors for your projects. Most constructors these days re-use or re-purpose old equipment for their projects.

A lot of radio amateurs re-use older equipment to save cost etc. In doing this they need to identify components etc. One example is the conversion of a CB radio to use on the 10 metre band. 

 

Resistor Failings

• Inductive value [VHF/UHF] - they are measurably inductive.
• Carbon Composition [very rare] - for non-inductive types.
  
• Capacitive value or self-capacitance [VHF/UHF]
• Power dissipation - heating. [Capacitors do NOT dissipate power]
• Radiative heat - some resistors come with a heat sink mounting.
• Volume/Potentiometers - variable resistors used to control the sound output. Log (logarithmic) types are used to vary sound level. But linear types are used for adjustment of voltages or currents. Some are multi-turn for precision setting of voltages/currents.
• Hair Dryer and Electric Blankets - heat dissipating at high or low levels.
• FUSES - Where the resistor melts to 'open circuit' and stop the current. This has its own 'issues' as the time to melt has an impact. Higher the current the faster it melts! 

For more information find the informative article "Resistors" in Wireless World 1975-10-01 by R.A. Fairs, B. Sc.

 

Capacitors [Condensers in old docs]

Capacitors have a multitude of uses. "Super Caps" have a very large capacity value and can discharge high currents. Such that some trucks use them to start the engine. Charging from the normal truck battery when not needed.

At radio frequency they provide tuning for resonant circuits or parts of filters.

In pulse circuits they provide delay networks. [Differentiation and Integration]

They can also be used to "tune" an antenna. A "Capacity Hat" on the top of an antenna will reduce the frequency of resonance. Usually used on a short antenna to bring the resonant frequency down.

The majority of electrolytic capacitors get used as "decoupling" capacitors. Or as "coupling" capacitors. But at higher frequencies the ones used are generally ceramic. For filters and resonant circuits mica and air types are used. Being of higher quality and Q value.

For more information find the informative article "Capacitors" in Wireless World 1974-12-01 by R.A. Fairs, B. Sc.

 Both are available on:- https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Wireless_World_Magazine.htm