THE NEWS 🇺🇸

                            TM1K (SSB)

 CQWW 2024 - ARRL DX 2025 - CQ WPX 2025

TM65REF 

 100 Years of REF and L'IARU

The REF Centenary Challenge

The year 2025 will mark the centenary of the Réseau des Émetteurs Français (REF) as well as the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU).

To commemorate this major event, the REF, a member of the IARU, is organizing a radio challenge open to all licensed radio amateurs and SWL listeners worldwide.

The REF Centenary Challenge aims to celebrate 100 years of our association by bringing the amateur radio community together through a friendly activity.

This challenge will take place from April 1 to June 30, 2025, and will include contacts made on the following bands: 160 m, 80 m, 60 m, 40 m, 30 m, 20 m, 17 m, 15 m, 12 m, 10 m, 6 m, 2 m, 70 cm, 23 cm, 13 cm, 6 cm, 3 cm, and satellites including QO-100.

The following modes will be used: SSB (Phone), CW (Morse), and digital (FT8, FT4, RTTY, PSK31, etc.). Cross-mode/band contacts, as well as those using terrestrial repeaters, internet-assisted radio connections, or similar methods, will not be accepted.

All participating departments and territories will have a callsign following this format:

These stations will announce themselves on various clusters and live at the following address:
https://waveus.net/dashboard - Simply select TM at the top left of the screen.

The TM65REF team will participate in this challenge from April 12 to April 18, 2025, and from June 16 to June 23, 2025.

We will be active from 160 m to 70 cm in phone, CW, and digital modes.

Each QSO with the activation teams will be counted once per band and mode and will allow all stations, regardless of location, to earn a certificate based on the following criteria:


100 Years of REF and IARU: A History of Passion and Commitment (1925-2025)

Amateur radio is much more than just a hobby; it is a true passion that brings together thousands of operators worldwide. Over the past century, this practice has evolved thanks to major organizations such as the IARU (International Amateur Radio Union) and the REF (Réseau des Émetteurs Français), which have defended and structured the amateur radio community in the face of technical and regulatory challenges.

In 2025, we celebrate a historic double anniversary: the 100th anniversary of both the IARU and the REF, two institutions that have shaped amateur radio as we know it today. This event is an opportunity to honor the pioneers who made this evolution possible and to pass on the values of HAMSPIRIT to future generations, based on sharing, solidarity, and technological innovation.


The Birth of Amateur Radio and the Creation of the IARU (1925)

The early 20th century saw the rise of radio communications. Enthusiasts quickly began experimenting and developing new transmission techniques. However, as commercial and military communications expanded, there arose a need to organize and defend the amateur use of the radio spectrum.

In this context, an international conference held in Paris in April 1925 led to the founding of the IARU (International Amateur Radio Union). This global organization, bringing together national amateur radio associations, aims to protect and promote amateur radio activity on an international scale.

By 1927, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) officially recognized amateur radio operators as a distinct category of radio spectrum users. This major advancement allowed amateurs to obtain specific frequency bands essential for their experiments and communications.


The Expansion of Amateur Radio and the Role of REF in France

Alongside the growth of the IARU, each country developed its own national organization. In France, the REF (Réseau des Émetteurs Français) was established in 1925, the same year as the IARU. Its crucial roles include:

Thanks to the REF, France actively participates in key international decisions regarding frequency allocations and amateur radio regulations.


Major Achievements of the IARU and REF

a) Organization of the Amateur Radio Spectrum
The IARU has played a major role in the allocation of frequency bands. Today, the amateur radio spectrum is divided into multiple segments assigned for various uses (CW, phone, digital, satellites, etc.).

b) Technological Evolution and Standards
The IARU and REF have contributed to the development of communication protocols, international identifiers, and the advancement of modern digital modes such as FT8, PSK31, and D-STAR.

c) Emergency Communications Promotion
Amateur radio operators play a key role in natural disasters when no other means of communication is available. Emergency networks like RASEC in France or ARES in the United States provide invaluable assistance in crisis situations.

d) Amateur Radio Contests and Events
The IARU and national organizations organize numerous international contests, such as the IARU HF Championship, allowing operators to test their skills and connect with stations worldwide.


Amateur Radio Today and Tomorrow

a) A Global Community United by HAMSPIRIT
Amateur radio is built on a unique spirit, HAMSPIRIT, which promotes knowledge sharing, solidarity, and experimentation. This spirit endures thanks to clubs and radio amateurs who pass their expertise to new generations.

b) Adapting to New Technologies
With the rise of the internet and digital communications, the IARU and REF work to integrate new technologies into amateur radio while preserving its traditional foundations.

c) The Role of Radio Clubs like F8KGM
The F8KGM radio club fully embraces this mission. By participating in events and training new operators, it helps keep the passion for amateur radio alive and preserves this century-old tradition.


A Century of History to Celebrate!

From 1925 to 2025, amateur radio has undergone a century of transformations, innovations, and challenges. Thanks to the dedication of the IARU, REF, and radio clubs, this passion continues to unite enthusiasts worldwide.

By celebrating the 100th anniversary of the IARU and REF, we honor the legacy of pioneers while shaping the future of amateur radio together.

🎙️ Let’s celebrate a century of passion and commitment together! 🎧


Report on the Activation of TM9NL in Tribute to F9NL Maurice 


The special activation of TM9NL took place over a fifteen period and was a great success. After several weeks of preparation aimed at retracing and honoring the history of Maurice F9NL, valuable information was obtained thanks to the contributions of Dominique F5AXP, Luc F6FCW, and Christian F4BEB, whose father (S.K) knew him very well. The project was supported by photo montages and the creation of a diploma and QSL card, made by Cédric F4LEJ and Fred F5USK. The dissemination took place across several platforms, including the QRZ.com page managed by Iñaki F5RAG, REF journals with Dominique F5AXP, and on DX-WORLD as well as the REF-65 and Hautes-Pyrénées Contest Club F8KGM sites, coordinated by Fred F5USK.

A regulation for obtaining the Award was drafted by Christian F4BEB and Gérard F4IQC, and a server was created by Stefan DB4SCW and Christian F4BEB to allow Award downloads. Operators could verify their contacts across different modes and bands thanks to the Dashboard designed by Yves F5LZN, which allowed real-time tracking of operating operators, and live streaming of QSOs was broadcasted via Club Log, managed by Fred F5USK and Iñaki F5RAG.

F9NL Contest - UHF

One of the standout events was the F9NL Contest, held on Sunday, September 22nd, on UHF with the special callsign TM9NL. This contest, organized by F6KPH, saw the participation of Hugues F5SZR, Philippe F5SHD, and Jean Claude F5SAW, from the summit of Bagnères-de-Bigorre. They completed 38 QSOs during the morning, covering 20 departments (01, 11, 16, 31, 32, 33, 35, 44, 46, 47, 61, 64, 65, 76, 79, 81, 82, 85, 86, 89). These contacts also counted towards obtaining the Award, with the possibility of accumulating points.

Activities and Operator Distribution

Traffic activities were organized based on each person's availability, spread across bands and modes. The operator team included:

• Fred F5USK: 160m to 10m (SSB, CW, FT8/FT4, SSTV)

• Iñaki F5RAG: 80m to 6m, VHF, UHF (SSB, CW, FT8/FT4)

• Alexandre F5ICN: VHF, UHF, SHF (SSB)

• Christian F4BEB: 80m to 10m, VHF, UHF (SSB, FT8)

• Cédric F4LEJ: 20m, VHF, UHF (SSB/FM, FT8)

• Luc F6FCW: 80m and 40m (SSB and CW)

• Jacques F5SEP: 40m and 20m (CW, FT8/FT4, PSK31)

• Robert F5BIT: 20m (FT8)

In total, 6,477 QSOs were completed, covering all bands and modes (HF, VHF, UHF, SHF). Here is a summary of the contacts made:

• DXCC (160m to 6m): 337 QSOs, distributed as follows:

. SSB: 149

o CW: 30

o FT8/FT4: 142

o SSTV: 7

o PSK31: 9

• WAS (50 states):

o SSB: 49

o CW: 23

o FT8: 42

o FT4: 2

Propagation Conditions

We benefited from good openings on 10m, with regular contacts to the United States, the Caribbean, South America, Asia, South Africa, and Japan. Pile-ups lasted up to 4 hours with the U.S. On 20m, long path openings to New Zealand (ZL), Australia (VK), and other Pacific islands were observed. DX openings also occurred on 40m, 80m, and even 160m, particularly with some U.S. stations on FT8. On VHF, UHF, and SHF, interesting contacts were made, with distances of 600 to 1,000 km on SSB, and even more on FT8.

We want to thank all the operators who contributed to the activation of TM9NL. Without their dedication, passion, and availability, this wonderful initiative in tribute to Maurice F9NL would not have been possible.

Thanks to their efforts, this activation not only created a unique moment in the amateur radio community but also paid tribute to a ham who left his mark on history. Their hard work, whether on the airwaves, in organizing, or through the creation of Awards and QSLs, made this activation a great success.

SWL and Conclusion

We also opened a challenge for SWLs (listeners), with 24 of them logged in a specific log, from 14 countries (F, DL, I, JA, NL, OE, PA, PY, SM, SP, VE, WA, YL, UA). They will also receive a Award in recognition of their participation.

A big thank you to all those who contacted us, despite sometimes difficult reception conditions. A special thanks as well to those who couldn't contact us but tried, as well as the QRP and mobile stations for their patience. We hope to see you again at the next challenge.

73 QRO from the entire TM9NL team! 


Activation of TM9NL in Memory of  F9NL Maurice 

We are pleased to announce the activation from the 65th department of the F9NL Maurice Memorial, with the special callsign TM9NL. This activation will take place from 09/15/2024 to 09/29/2024 on the HF/VHF/UHF bands and in various modes.

F9NL UHF Trophy.

On September 22, 2024, a portable TM9NL station will be in JN03BB to commemorate the date of the F9NL UHF Trophy.

Spirit of the l'Activation

This activation will follow the same spirit as TM65JO, with the following objectives :

The regulations for this activation will specify the conditions for obtaining the diploma.

Participation

We hope that many of you will point your antennas toward the southwest to try to contact us.

We are counting on your participation in this event.

73, The TM9NL Activation Team 

In Memory of Maurice

Maurice LACROUTS, our friend F9NL REF 5478, passed away on July 25, 1983, at the age of seventy-seven. He was a great sportsman, a tennis coach, an excellent skier, and he loved car rallies, especially competitions.
 Under his leadership, the 65th department won the French championship for five consecutive years during the 1960s and was awarded the trophy permanently. F9NL liked to say that he had won more than 96 trophies, but the one he cherished the most was the QRP Bol d'Or, which he won by making a magic eye "pump." He was the head of section 25, a member of the board, section manager, and in early 1964, he founded REF 65 with F3IL, where he served as president for many years and was awarded the REF merit medal.

Maurice LACROUTS led a vocational sub-section at the Bagnères Technical High School, where he taught electronics. He created many designs for young people and beginners, always favoring simplicity and reproducibility. He was the designer of the NL1, NL2, and NL3, simple converters that, when placed in front of a receiver tuned to 1600 kHz, allowed amateur radio traffic to be received. This was an affordable introduction to reception for beginners, just like the Major and Minor transmitters he designed for transmitting, which were produced in many units. technique with the local operators. Unfortunately, the consequences of his 1943 skiing accident caught up with him, and he eventually lost his sight, preventing him from tinkering, which was his greatest regret. However, radio was a great comfort to him during his years of darkness.
 In memory of Maurice LACROUTS, and to honor the work of our predecessors—Gilbert F5BUT (SK), Dominique F5AXP, Paul F5HPQ, and Joachim F6FXK, who sculpted and engraved the two Contest trophies—we have decided to carry the torch forward under the guidance of REF65 and the various radio clubs in the department: F6KPH, F5KBC, and F8KGM.


ARRL New

July 12, 2024
 ARRL®, The National Association for Amateur Radio®, will join The Weather Channel on Thursday, July 11, 2024, for a live discussion on the value of amateur radio during hurricane season and beyond. Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R from ARRL, will talk about how radio contributes to the alert process by relaying surface observations via the Hurricane Watch Net and other networks to WX4NHC, the amateur radio station at the National Hurricane Center.

Viewers will learn how ARRL volunteers serve their local agencies through the Amateur Radio Emergency Service® (ARES®) and how they can obtain a license using ARRL materials to become part of the network.


 http://arrl.org/what-is-ham-radio


ADRASEC 65

For the past few days, we have had a new board within ADRASEC 65, composed of F4BEB Christian (President), F4ETD Daniel (Treasurer), and F5USK Fred (Secretary). The new board of directors and members of the department’s civil security association are working closely with our national bodies, FNRASEC and the Ministry of the Interior, to rebuild an operational unit.

In the video, you will discover the role of our various partners—Firefighters, Gendarmerie, and the Prefecture—who are key players with whom we collaborate to successfully carry out our civil security missions through the SATER and ORSEC plans, under prefectural requisition.

Supporting ADRASEC 65, our various local amateur radio associations, through radio clubs and their members, contribute to the smooth running of exercises in close coordination with neighboring ADRASEC groups from departments 32, 64, and 31.

The Monfaucon radio club, F8KGM, is one of the major contributors in terms of personnel and infrastructure, as all of its members are or will become members of ADRASEC 65.

We count on you to join our ranks, bring your radio expertise, and uphold the OM spirit to strengthen our team of volunteers.