Amateur Radio Links Earthquake-Stricken Island with Outside World (Mar. 30 2005) Working under harsh conditions, Indonesian Amateur Radio Emergency Service (IARES) volunteers have established VHF links between earthquake-stricken Nias Island and northern Sumatra. Organization of Amateur Radio for Indonesia (ORARI) headquarters in Jakarta this week called on all ORARI members to be ready to assist Nias Island--hit March 28 by magnitude 8.2 and 8.7 earthquakes--and to secure both VHF and HF frequencies for emergency traffic. An ORARI team now has set up at the Indonesian Public TV tower near Gunung Sitoli, the largest city on Nias Island, and now is in contact the ORARI District 6 command post in Medan in Sumatra. The ORARI team that helicoptered in March 29 already had experience supporting communication following the December 2004 tsunami that claimed an estimated 300,000 lives. In the earthquake's immediate aftermath, IARES members reportedly were on duty with little or no food to eat, although they did have drinking water. At that point, many victims had not yet been evacuated, and some remained trapped in the debris. More than 1000 people are reported to have died as a result of the earthquakes. The tremors affected some of the same areas as the December earthquake and tsunami. Although officials and residents remained on alert for possible tsunamis this week, none have occurred. ORARI team members include Zulkarman Syafrin, YC6PLG, Herman Rangkuti, YC6IQ, and Soejat Harto, YB6HB--a medical doctor. Syafrin reports that the earthquake damaged the power, telecommunication and transportation infrastructure or took them out altogether on Nias island. Buildings in Gunung Sitoli were reportedly flattened and roads severely damaged or impassable. The team has been using portable generators, but to conserve scarce fuel it's been restricting contact off the island to every two hours. ORARI District 6/Northern Sumatra Chairman T. Awal Ali, YB6HA, has pledged to supply more logistical and radio equipment, while Ady Susanto, YB6VK, in Medan, is preparing a set of solar cells for use by the IARES team in Gunung Sitoli. The March 28 quakes--and several smaller tremors--shook Sumatra Island and many smaller islands surrounding it, including Nias--the closest island to the epicenter. A magnitude 6.3 aftershock occurred in the same vicinity on March 30.--Wyn Purwinto, AB2QV (ARRL News Service)
Another series of important ITU meetings coming up in April and May (Mar. 13 2005) Beginning on March 29th, a series of meetings will be taking place in the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) which will move us one step closer to decisions at the World Radio Conference on 2007. Since last fall, countries around the world have been doing their homework and are beginning to solidify their positions on items of importance to amateur radio. In Canada, Radio Amateurs of Canada and the IARU have been developing arguments in support of retention of the top of the 40 metre band between 7200 and 7300 kHz, for excluding broadcasters in Europe and Asia from that band, and for securing a world wide allocation for amateur radio from 7000 to 7300 kHz. In another area, we have been developing studies to support our case for an amateur band at 136 kHz. We have also been working to secure the support of other spectrum user's in Canada for our proposals. And finally, Canada has taken proposals to the CITEL meetings of all countries in North, Central and South America to try to develop a united position to take to the conference. Similar actions have been taking place in Europe and in Asia. So when everyone meets in Geneva in April and May, the studies and recommendations to the conference will be revised and updated, hopefully in our favour. The IARU will be represented in four different groups. The Broadcast group meets in the last week of March and the first week of April. The Mobile and Amateur group meets in mid April, and the Fixed service group meets towards the end of April. Then, in May, representatives of all three groups will meet for a short meeting in Geneva, to try to agree on an overall approach to the review of 4-10 MHz, hopefully with a place in there somewhere for amateur radio. We will keep you updated.
(RAC News Service)
RSGB says not to free lifetime license (Apr. 1 2005) Britain's radio regulator, Ofcom is considering the introduction of a free licence for life for radio amateurs that on the surface, looks like a good deal. VK radio amateurs had the same offer made to them in August 2003 by the Australian Communications Authority, as part of the Review of Amateur Service Regulation. The Wireless Institute of Australia and the overwhelming number of respondents to that review, rejected the concept of a licence fee free Class Licence. The concern was that without paying a licence fee, radio amateurs could only expect minimal service and in particular help with interference resolution, from the ACA. The RSGB is telling its membership what it believes are the implications of Ofcom's "Spectrum Review" published in late 2004 and in the yet to be published "Future of Amateur Radio Licensing" consultation document. The RSGB believes it's vital to stop any attempts to de-regulate the hobby, therefore, any movement towards a licence for life must be opposed. It believes that a free licence is likely to be followed, in a few years, with deregulation. Among the ramifications of such a move would be removal of the need for amateur licence exams and the opening up of the amateur bands to other users. Following an invitation from the Office of Communications, a delegation led by the RSGB President, Jeff Smith, MI0AEX, was to meet with officials of the regulatory agency. Plans are to discuss the future direction of amateur radio licensing in the U-K and the possiblity of deregulation of that nations Amateur Radio service over the next five to 10 years. The RSGB strongly opposes deregulation and sats that it will fight to maintain the status of radio amateurs and the privileges they currently enjoy. (WIA Victoria News)
5 MHz Activity days 2005, - April 8th to April 9th 2005. Marko Saarela OH2LRD says "We will try the QSO:s on friday April 8th around 14, 17, 20.... UTC and run them to the next morning". "There is now 18 club stations in
Finland with the 5 MHz license. I will try to get them to participate the
activity day, we had an article in our journal and some reminders are
Magne LA1BFA (Trondheim ) says "The channels opened for us are: 5280, 5290, 5332, 5348, 5368, 5373,5400 and 5405. USB and CW are the only modes permitted. LA1K is a radio club associated with the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. We're located in Trondheim, in the central part of Norway (JP53EK). Our club web page is at http://www.la1k.no/" Joe VO1NA says "On behalf of the Marconi Radio Club of Newfoundland.(MRCN), I am very pleased to report that the club will be participating in this event and that we are greatly honoured to represent Canada and Radio Amateurs of Canada for the 5 MHz Activity Day. At present, we can transmit CW on 5260.5 kHz and USB on 5327.5 kHz and operate a CW beacon on 5269 kHz and so can conduct 2-way 60 metre contacts with any station athorised to transmit on this band. We can receive anywhere on 60 and of course on 40 and 80 metres. The call sign will be VO1MRC". (Thanks to Joe VO1NA) Note: Only those Canadian amateurs with Industry Canada special authorization are allowed to transmit on 60 metres. (RAC News Service)
World Amateur Radio Day 2005 Award Announced (Apr.18 2005) World Amateur Radio Day is celebrated by the IARU on 18 April each year. The WARD 2005 Award commemorates World Amateur Radio Day and is issued by MK QTC, the Polish radio amateurs' journal, with the support of PZK, the Polish national amateur radio society. The award is issued to those making at least 10 QSOs on the HF bands, or five QSOs on the VHF bands between 0000 and 2400UTC on 18 April. The price of the WARD 2005 Award is $5 or 5 euros. Send a standard application form (log extract), including the list of QSOs, to: MK QTC, The Radio Amateurs' Journal, Suchacz-Zamek, Wielmozy 5b, 82-340 Tolkmicko, Poland on or before 31 May 2005. (RSGB)
UK Military and RSGB discuss the Future of 70CM (Mar. 11 2005) The first of a series of meetings between the Radio Society of Great Britain and the United Kingdom Ministry of Defense have taken place. The purpose is to discuss the future of the 70 centimeter band and access by ham repeaters to it. Under U-K telecommunications law
Amateur Radio is designated as the primary user the band. Even so,
back in February of 2002 the Ministry of Defense imposed a freeze on licensing
of 70 centimeter Amateur Service relay devices. This includes
unattended packet radio data nodes as well as repeaters. This meeting
was billed as the first move towards
The Ministry of Defense placed on record that they wish to work with the R-S-G-B as the representatives of the U-K amateur service on a partnership basis, and there was no wish to deprive the amateur radio community of the facilities previously available to them. For its part, the R-S-G-B is also talking to the Ministry of Defense through Ofcom -- the U-K Office of Communications. Discussions here center around interference being experienced on the 2 meter band primarily in Northern Ireland. These discussions are reported to be ongoing. (WIA News)
Apr. 1 2005 Tad Cook K7RA Solar Update
Just completed is the first quarter of 2005. Now is a good time to take some running averages of sunspot numbers and solar flux, comparing this quarter to previous periods. From the first quarter of 2003 through the first quarter of 2005, the average daily sunspot numbers were 120.3, 107.3, 110.2, 99.2, 72.9, 71.3, 69.3, 61 and 46.1. The average daily solar flux for the same period was 134.3, 124.2, 120.8, 137.4, 111.1, 99.5, 111, 104.8 and 96.4. We see clearly that cycle 23 continues the fall toward solar minimum, which is currently forecast roughly around October 2006 to April 2007. Fortunately, the rise of a solar cycle is much more rapid than its decline. But when comparing current smoothed sunspot numbers to the predicted numbers once the next cycle turns up, the predicted value for April 2005 is just slightly above the predicted value for December 2007. So we shouldn't expect conditions to improve beyond what we've had recently until early 2008, or a little less than three years from now. Current sunspot numbers are lower than they've been since 1997. The peak of the next cycle will probably occur in 2010. March 1965 was 40 years ago. I was still twelve years old, and when riding the school bus home one day in that March, I saw that my mom had hung her red sweater in the window. That was my signal. I couldn't wait for the bus to drop me off so I could race back up the hill. I ran into the house, grabbed the envelope from the FCC off the dining room table, and ripped it open. Inside, there was my new Novice call, WN7CSK. Hard to believe it's been 40 years. If you would like to comment or have a tip, email the author at, k7ra@arrl.net. For more information concerning radio propagation and an explanation of the numbers used in this bulletin see the ARRL Technical Information Service propagation page at, http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/propagation.html. Sunspot numbers for March 24 through 30 were 57, 65, 41, 35, 15, 15 and 11 with a mean of 34.1. 10.7 cm flux was 87.1, 82.1, 77.7, 78.4, 79.7, 78.8 and 77.6, with a mean of 80.2. Estimated planetary A indices were 6, 18, 16, 13, 4, 5 and 9 with a mean of 10.1. Estimated mid-latitude A indices were 4, 15, 12, 8, 2, 3 and 6, with a mean of 7.1. (ARRL News Service)
Europe Apr. 3 2005 Solar and propagation
report,
Flare activity has again been very low, with eleven successive days with no substantial flares. The solar flux has stayed firmly in the doldrums, starting and ending the week at 78. The average was also 78 - a drop of 10 points. The 90-day average shed two points at 96. The x-ray flux drifted down from A3.1 to A1.7, with the average A2.6 The geomagnetic field was unsettled to active last weekend but has since been quiet or only slightly unsettled. The Ap index averaged 9 units. Solar wind speeds were average or a little above, ranging between 704km/sec on the 26th and 361km/sec on the 1st as a coronal stream subsided. Particle densities continued low. Despite the quiet state of the geomagnetic field for much of the week, the low flux figures meant that signals were scarce on 24 and 28MHz, though the CQ WPX contest brought openings to South America and the Middle East. However, 14, 18 and 21MHz remained in reasonably good shape, with 21MHz at times producing contacts with all continents. During the coming week we should have the more active side of the Sun rotating into view - not that that means all that much at this stage of the solar cycle. There is a chance of a modest increase in flare activity. The solar flux should finally move upward, possibly reaching 100 by the end of the week. Recent low levels of geomagnetic activity are expected to end in the course of the current weekend. A high-speed coronal stream associated with a recurring coronal hole will bring active or even, at times, minor storm levels. The disturbance is expected to carry through to Monday. However, lower levels should again prevail after midweek. On geomagnetically quiet days MUFs at equal latitudes would be expected to reach 22MHz in the south and 19MHz in the north. However, levels could well be lower than that initially due to the coronal hole activity mentioned earlier. As always, forecast MUFs assume quiet geomagnetic conditions. Darkness hour lows will be around 9MHz. Paths to the Far East should have a maximum usable frequency, giving a fifty per cent success rate, of about 20MHz. So JA should be workable on fifteen metres, on the better days, as it has been this past week. However, the optimum working frequency will be in the region of 14MHz. The best time will be between about 0730 and 0900UTC. That report was prepared by Neil Clarke, G0CAS, and Martin Harrison, G3USF.
Upping the ARISS ante (Mar 31, 2005)
"Sparking youth interest in science and technology is quite high on the list of what's important to astronauts and to NASA," she said, noting that NASA's Education Office has been strongly supporting Amateur Radio in space for more than a decade. Since Expedition 10 began last October, Chiao has logged 22 ARISS school group contacts. White said putting together the many pieces of an ARISS school-group QSO make it tricky for an eleventh-hour success. ARISS moved up a scheduled QSO for a school in Zurich whose volunteers are well-prepared. For the second extra slot, ARISS scrambled to make arrangements with a NASA Explorer School where a teacher submitted an ARISS application because she's interested in using ham radio in class. For this QSO--with the Flory Academy of Sciences and Technology, in Moorpark, California, ARISS plans to employ a combination of Amateur Radio and teleconferencing rather than attempt to set up a direct QSO. (ARRL News Service)
Project OSCAR inaugurates newsletter column service (Mar. 23 2005) Project OSCAR, the oldest Amateur Radio club dedicated to amateur satellites, has inaugurated a service aimed at encouraging satellite newcomers. "The Satellite Beacon" is a monthly column produced by Project OSCAR members that Amateur Radio newsletter editors may freely republish. Topics cover a wide range of satellite topics geared to new or novice satellite users. "We looked at the landscape of amateur satellite usage, and it appeared that there were geographical areas where there were no mentors for potential satellite users," said Project OSCAR Vice President and Beacon Editor Emily Clarke, W0EEC. "If there are no mentors, there are likely to be no satellite operators." Clarke says that by publishing "The Satellite Beacon," Project OSCAR hopes to provide a reliable source of information about amateur satellites at the local level and keep interest in ham radio high as the solar minimum approaches. Articles are available as both Adobe Acrobat (PDF) and MS-Word documents. Newsletter editors may subscribe to a monthly electronic distribution or download any of the currently available articles directly from "The Satellite Beacon" Web page. For more information, visit the Project OSCAR Web site: www.projectoscar.net (ARRL News Service)
Radio Amateur tapped to head NASA (Mar. 22 2005) President George W. Bush has announced his intention to nominate Michael Griffin, NR3A, to be the next administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). He'll succeed Sean O'Keefe, who departed NASA earlier this year to become chancellor of Louisiana State University. Griffin currently heads the Space Department at Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory. Prior to that, he was president and chief operating officer of In-Q-Tel Inc, served in several positions within Orbital Sciences Corporation and was NASA's chief engineer. In 2003 testimony before the US House of Representatives' Future of Human Space Flight Committee on Science, Griffin described himself as "an unabashed supporter of space exploration in general, and of human space flight in particular." expressed his belief that the human space flight program "is in the long run possibly the most significant activity in which our nation is engaged." His academic resume is extensive and impressive. In addition to a bachelor's degree in physics from Johns Hopkins, holds master's degrees in aerospace science, applied physics, business administration, civil engineering and electrical engineering and a doctorate in aerospace engineering. The US Senate must confirm Griffin's appointment, which is said to enjoy bipartisan support. (ARRL News Service)
ARRL Field Day 2005 publicity information available (Apr 1, 2005) Field Day 2005 is the weekend of Saturday and Sunday, June 25-26. Per rule 7.3.2, 100 bonus points are available to FD stations in all classes for bona fide efforts to obtain publicity for your Field Day operation from local media. ARRL Field Day 2005 publicity information now available for public information officers and clubs includes sample news releases and information on publicizing your participation in Field Day 2005. The page also includes publicity information for "National Take your HT Radio to Work Day" June 21, when hams are encouraged to clip their handheld transceivers on their belts or place them on their desks to raise awareness and prompt inquiries about Amateur Radio from co-workers. Amateur Radio Week 2005 is June 19-26 (ARRL News Service)
ARRL offering Free Basic Electronics Presentation (Mar. 20 2005) The ARRL Education and Technology Program is offering schools and clubs a CD-ROM presentation on basic electronics. The instructional presentation is available free of charge upon request. "The Basic Electronics Course is intended for teachers and instructors who want a ready resource they can adapt to their instruction of electronics fundamentals," says ARRL Education and Technology Coordinator Mark Spencer, WA8SME. "The materials include a PowerPoint presentation and instructor's script." Spencer says the course is designed around affordable components, a prototyping board and a volt-ohmmeter (VOM). For more information or to request a copy of the presentation, contact Mark Spencer, WA8SME, mspencer@arrl.org; 860-594-0396. (WIANews)
Fighting the War on Terror (Apr. 1 2005) A British technology group has created a scanning device that sees under people's clothes to spot not just metal but other potential threats like ceramic knives or hidden drugs. Technology Online says that a new
electromagnetic technology is known as Millimeter Wave, or MMW, could bring
an early warning to airport security personnel of a suspected terrorist.
The system which detects just about any form of contraband at was developed
by QinetiQ which was formerly part of the research arm of the British defense
ministry.
Another prospect in store for air travelers is hyperspectral sensing. This is a system that will check for pheromones secreted by the human body which may indicate agitation or stress. The anxiety may have an innocent cause such as fear of flying, but could also betray the nervousness of a potential attacker. As with M-M-W, the hyperspectral sensing technology could function at a distance and without the need for people to wait in line. By conducting such checks while people are approaching the airport and moving through it, authorities could avoid bottlenecks so common these days. (Science OnLine)
The most complete list yet.......You might be a HAM if....!
73 William Breuer VE1SGV
Lighthouse Spring Lites QSO Party--all modes--sponsored by the Amateur Radio Lighthouse Society from 0001Z Mar 26-2359Z Apr 3. Frequencies (MHz): CW--1.830, 3.530, 7.030, 14.030, 21.030, 28.030; SSB--1.970, 3.970, 7.270, 14.270, 21.370, 28.370. Exchange: ARLHS member/lighthouse number or serial number, name, and S/P/C. Score: 1 pt/QSO, plus 2 pts for ARLHS member, plus 3 pts for lighthouse. For more information:http://arlhs.com/SL-2005-guidelines.html. Logs due Apr 30 to Dave Ruch, NF0J, PO Box 20696, Bloomington, MN 55420-0696. Missouri QSO Party--CW/SSB, sponsored by the Boeing Employees Amateur Radio Society of St Louis (BEARS) from 1800Z Apr 2-0500Z Apr 3, and 1800Z-2400Z Apr 3. Frequencies (MHz): CW--40 kHz from band edge and 1810 kHz; Phone--1.850, 3.980, 7.280, 14.280, 21.380, 28.310, work MO stations once per band and mode. Categories: Fixed, MO Mobile, MO Rover. Exchange: RST, serial number, and MO county or S/P/C. QSO points: CW--2 pts, Phone 1 pt. Score: MO stations--QSO points × States + Provinces + MO counties + 1 for DX; non-MO stations--QSO points × MO counties. Multipliers count only once. QSOs with W0MA count additional 100 QSO points. For more information-- www.qsl.net/w0ma. Logs due 30 days after the contest to n0aj@arrl.net or James L Kinser, N0AJ, 2147 Encino Dr, Florissant, MO 63031-7627. Montana QSO Party--Phone/CW/Digital--sponsored by the Flathead Valley Amateur Radio Club from 2300Z Apr 2-2300Z Apr 3. Frequencies: 160 meters-70 cm, no categories, repeaters and IRLP are permitted. Exchange: RST and S/P/C or MT county. If a station changes counties, it can be worked again. Score: QSOs × S/P/C + MT counties (counted only once). For more information: k7ncr@arrl.net. Logs due May 10 to angelmelody@centurytel.net or Norm Palin K7NCR, 68 Silver Leaf Dr, Kalispell, MT 59901. QCWA Spring QSO Party--CW/Digital/SSB--sponsored by the Quarter Century Wireless Association from 1900Z Apr 2-1900Z Apr 3. Frequencies (MHz): CW--1.810, 3.540, 7.035, 14.040, 21.050, 28.050; Phone--1.845, 3.890, 7.244, 14.262, 21.365, 28.325 plus all VHF/UHF bands, no crossband or repeater QSOs. Categories: Phone, Digital, Mixed. 15 QSOs with each station maximum and only one QSO with stations in home QCWA chapter. Exchange: Last two digits of year licensed and QCWA chapter or S/P/C. QSO points: Phone--1 pt, CW/Digital--2 pts. Score: QSO points × QCWA chapters + S/P/C counted once per band. W2MM counts as a 3-point multiplier on each band. For more information: www.qcwa.org/2005-qso-party-rules.htm. Send logs to w2od@aol.com or Robert Buus, W2OD, 8 Donner St, Holmdel, NJ 07733-2004. EA RTTY Contest--sponsored by the Unión de Radioaficianados Españoles (URE.) from 1600Z Apr 2-1600Z Apr 3. Frequencies: 80-10 meters, according to IARU band plan. Categories: SOAB, SOSB, MOAB, SWL. Exchange: RST and serial number or EA Province. QSO points: 10-20 meters: own continent--1 pt, diff cont--2 pts; 40 and 80 meters: own cont--3 pts, diff cont--6 pts. Score is QSO points × DXCC entities + EA provinces + W/VE/JA/VK call areas counted once per band. If operating portable, sign /call area. For more information: www.rttycontesting.com/rules/earttyrules2005.pdf. Logs due May 7 to ea1mv@ure.es as ASCII text or Cabrillo format or EA RTTY Contest, PO Box 220, E-28080 Madrid, Spain. SP DX Contest--CW/SSB--sponsored by the PZK Polish Amateur Radio Union and the SP DX Club from 1500Z Apr 2-1500Z Apr 3. Frequencies: 160-10 meters, according to the IARU Region I band plan, no crossmode QSOs. Categories: SOAB and SOSB (CW, SSB or Mixed), SO-Three Band Mixed, SO-QRP, MS Mixed (incl nets, packet, Internet), SWL Mixed. Exchange: RS(T) and serial number or Polish province abbreviation. QSO points: 3 pts for each SP contact, SP stations count 3 pts outside EU, 1 pt for EU (no pts for SP-SP QSOs). Score is QSO points × provinces (counted once per band and mode) or DXCC entities (for Polish stations). For more information: www.contest.spdxc.org.pl/en/index.php. Logs due Apr 30 to spdxc-logs@pzk.org.pl (Cabrillo format preferred) or to Polski Zwiazek Krotkofalowcow, SPDX Contest Committee, PO Box 320, 00-950 Warszawa, Poland. Kids Roundup--Phone, sponsored by the Anne Arundel Radio Club, Jr (AARC, Jr), from 1400Z Apr 2-2200Z Apr 3. Frequencies: 80 meters -70 cm. See Web site for categories and QSO Point rules. Exchange: Call sign, QTH, category, first name. Contacts with Amateur Radio station KI3DS count 25 points. For more information: www.ki3ds.org. Logs due May 1 to ki3ds@ki3ds.org or AARC Jr, Attn: Bob Rose, 7901 Pepperbox Ln, Pasadena, MD 21122-6328. DX YL to North American YL Contest--CW--sponsored by YLRL from 1400Z Apr 6-0200Z Apr 8, work 24 hours max (Phone--Apr 13-15). Frequencies: all HF bands. Exchange: RST, serial number and ARRL Section, province or DXCC entity. QSO points: 1 pt/QSO. Score: QSO points × S/P/C counted only once × 1.5 (<100 W CW, 200 W SSB) For more information: www.ylrl.org. Logs due 30 days after the contest to WX4MM, 216 Lee Rd 343, Salem, AL 36874. QRP ARCI Spring QSO Party--CW--sponsored by the QRP ARCI, from 1200Z Apr 9-2400Z Apr 10. (Same rules as Fall QSO Party, see Oct 2004 QST, p 98 or http://2hams.net/ARCI/index.htm.) EU Spring Sprints--SSB: Apr 9--managed by G4BUO, CW: Apr 16--managed by 9A6XX, from 1500Z-1859Z. Frequencies (MHz): SSB--14.250, 7.050, 3.730, CW--14.040, 7.025, 3.550. SO category only (results list LP with *), EU stations work everyone, non-EU stations work EU only. Exchange: your call, the other station's call, serial number starting at 001, your name--both stations must repeat both call signs. If any station initiates a call (CQ, QRZ?, etc) he is permitted to work only one station on the same frequency and must move at least 2 kHz before he may call another station or before he may call CQ again. Score is the total QSOs (1 point/QSO). For more information or contest software:www.qsl.net/eusprint. Logs due 15 days after the contest to eusprint@kkn.net (ASCII format) or to (SSB) Dave Lawley, G4BUO, Carramore, Coldharbour Rd, Penshurst, Kent, TN11 8EX, England, UK, or (CW) Hrvoje Horvat, 9A6XX, 25 Rujan 4, HR-52000 Pazin, Croatia. Japan International DX Contest (JIDX)--CW--sponsored by Five-Nine Magazine from 0700Z Apr 9-1300Z Apr 10 (Phone--Nov 12-13). Frequencies: 80-10 meters. Categories: SOAB and SOSB (HP >100 W, LP), MO, Maritime Mobile. Exchange: RST + JA prefecture number or CQ Zone. QSO points: 80 or 10 meters--2 pts, otherwise 1 pt. Score: QSO points × JA prefectures + JD1 provinces (JA stations use DXCC entities). For more information: http://www.jidx.org/. Logs due May 31 to jidx-cw@jidx.org or JIDX "PHONE/CW" Contest, c/o Five-Nine Magazine, PO Box 59, Kamata, Tokyo, 144-8691 Japan. Georgia QSO Party-CW/SSB-sponsored by SECC and SEDXC from 1800Z Apr 9-0359Z Apr 10 and 1400Z-2359Z Apr 10. Frequencies: 80-10 meters. Categories: SOAB, MS, MM, Rover, Novice/Tech, HP (>150 W), LP, or QRP (<5 W). Rovers must activate at least six GA counties. Mobiles and portables must move the complete station including antennas at least 100 yards to change counties--no county line operations. Exchange RST and GA county or S/P/C. QSO points: SSB--1 pt, CW--2 pts. Score: QSO points × GA counties (GA station use states and provinces) counted only once per band and mode. For more information: http://gqp.contesting.com . Logs due May 10 to ku8e@bellsouth.net or Jeff Clarke, KU8E, 98 Mobley Ct, Hamilton, GA 31811. YU DX Contest--CW/SSB--sponsored by SRJ (Amateur Radio Union of Yugoslavia) and YUDXC (YU DX Club) from 1200Z Apr 16-1200Z Apr 17. Frequencies: 160-10 meters. Categories: SO-CW, SO-SSB, SO-Mixed, MS. Exchange: RST + ITU Zone. QSO points: with own zone--1 pt, own continent--3 pts, diff cont--5 pts. Score: QSO points × ITU zones + YU prefixes (counted once per band). For more information: http://solair.eunet.yu/~yu1ab/awards/rules.htm. Logs due 30 days after the contest to 2005@yudx.net or Savez radio-amatera Jugoslavije, YU DX Contest, PO Box 48, 11001 Beograd, Yugoslavia. Michigan QSO Party--CW/SSB--sponsored by the Mad River Radio Club, from 1600Z Apr 16- 0400Z Apr 17. Bands: 80-10 meters. Frequencies: CW--45 kHz from band edge, Phone (MHz)--3.850, 7.225, 14.250, 21.300, 28.450. Work stations once per band and mode, MI-to-MI QSOs allowed, mobiles and portables can be worked from each county. Categories: SO, MS, MM, Mobile SO, Mobile MO. Exchange: serial number and MI county or S/P/C. QSO points: CW--2 pts, Phone--1 pt. Multipliers for MI stations are states, provinces and MI counties; multipliers for non-MI stations are MI counties. Multipliers count once per mode. Score: QSO points × multipliers. For more information: www.miqp.org. Logs due 30 days after the contest to logs@miqp.org or Mad River Radio Club, c/o Dave Pruett, 2727 Harris Rd, Ypsilanti, MI 48198. TARA Skirmish--Digital Prefix Contest--sponsored by Troy ARA, 0000Z-2400Z Apr 16. Frequencies: 160-6 meters, work stations once per band. Categories: High, Low (<100 W), Great (<20 W), QRP (<5 W), SWL. Exchange: Name and Prefix. Score: QSO's × WPX prefixes × power multiplier. (High ×0.5, Low ×1, Great ×2, QRP ×3) Multipliers count once per band. For more information: www.n2ty.org/seasons/tara_dpx_rules.html Holyland DX Contest--CW/SSB--sponsored by the Israel Amateur Radio Club from 0000Z-2359Z Apr 16. Frequencies: 160-10 meters according to IARU Region 1 band plan, work Israeli stations once per band and mode. Categories: SO (Mixed Mode, CW, SSB, QRP), MS, MM, SWL. Exchange RST and serial number or Israel district. QSO points: 1.8 or 3.5 MHz--2 pts; other bands 1 pt. Score: QSO points × districts counted once per band. For more information: www.iarc.org. Logs due May 31 to 4Z4KX@iarc.org or Contest Manager 4Z4KX, Israel Amateur Radio Club, Box 17600, Tel Aviv, 61176, Israel. ES Open HF Championship--CW/SSB--sponsored by the Estonian Radio Amateurs Union from 0500Z-0859Z Apr 16. Frequencies: 80 and 40 meters. Categories: SO (SSB, CW, Mixed), MS, SWL. Exchange: RST and serial numbers, Duplicate QSOs allowed once per hour (see Web site). QSO points: SSB--1 pt, CW--2 pts. Score: QSO points × ES prefixes counted once per band and mode. For more information: www.erau.ee/index.php?newlang=eng. Logs due May 20 to esopen@erau.ee or Toomas Soomets, ES5RY, PO Box 177, Tartu, 50002 Estonia. Ontario QSO Party--CW/Phone--sponsored by the Ontario DX Association from 1800Z Apr 16-1800Z Apr 17. Frequencies (MHz): SSB--1.870, 3.735, 3.860, 7.070, 7.260, 14.130, 14.265, 21.260, 28.360; CW--30 kHz above band edges; VHF-SSB: 50.130, 144.205, 432.105; VHF-FM 52.540, 146.550, 446.1, no repeater QSOs. Categories: SOAB and SOSB (HP, LP <150 W HF and 50 W VHF, QRP <5 W) in CW, Phone, and Mixed Modes, SO VHF FM QRP (< 5 W), MS, SWL, Mobile, Rover. Exchange: RS(T) and S/P/C or Ontario QTH. QSO points: HF SSB-- 1 pt, HF CW--2 pts, VHF--5 pts (work stations once per VHF band), 10 bonus pts for each QSO with VE3ODX and VA3RAC. No county line QSOs allowed. Score is QSO points × Ontario QTHs (non-VE3 stations) or S/P/C + Ontario QTHs (mults count once per band). For more information: www.odxa.on.ca/oqphome.html. Logs due May 31 to ve3agc@rac.ca or Ontario QSO Party, Ontario DX Association, PO Box 161, Station "A," Willowdale, ON M2N 5S8, Canada. (Address changes will be shown on Web site.) EU EME Contest--any mode--sponsored by DUBUS and REF, 0000Z Apr 16-2400Z Apr 17. Frequencies: 50 MHz, 1.3, 10, 24 GHz and up. (May 14, 15--144 MHz, 2.3, and 3.4 GHz; Jun 11, 12--432 MHz and 5.7 GHz) Categories: Single and Multi-band, QRP and QRO--based on EIRP, Pro, CW, Digital, Mixed, Assisted. Exchange: call signs TMO/RST and "R." QSO points: 144/432/1.3--100 pts for random, 10 pts for scheduled QSO, 2.3 GHz and higher-- 100 pts/QSO. Score: QSO points (×2 for QSOs at 2.3 GHz and above) × S/P/C from random QSOs (or any QSOs at 2.3 GHz and above). For more information: www.dubus.org or info@dubus.de. Logs due Jul 10 to f6hye@ref-union.org or Patrick Magnin, F6HYE, Marcorens, F-74140 Ballaison, France. EA QRP Contest--CW, sponsored by the EA QRP Club from 1700Z Apr 16-1300Z Apr 17. Frequencies: 80-10 meters (see Web site for operating periods). Categories: QRP (< 5 W) and QRPp (<1 W). Exchange: RST and EA province or EA QRP number or serial number. QSO points: QRP--1 pt, QRPp--2 pts. Score: QSO points × EA provinces + EA QRP members + DXCC entities on each band. For more information:www.eaqrp.com. Logs due 30 days after the contest to ea1bp@yahoo.es or Vocalia de concursos (Concurso CW), PO Box 73, E-46182, La Canada (Valencia), Spain. (ARRL News Service)
Santa Ana, CA: Anaheim Police Amateur Radio Club, K6O. 0000Z Apr 1-2400Z Apr 15. 60th Anniversary of the Battle of Okinawa in WW2. 28.450 21.350 18.150 14.250. QSL. Mark McMullin, KM6HB, PO Box 27271, Santa Ana, CA 92799. Gig Harbor, WA: Peninsula Amateur Radio Emergency Team, KA7EOC. 1600Z-2300Z Apr 2. Gig Harbor Health and Safety Expo. 14.270. Certificate. Mark Yordy, W7BBO, 8914 149th St NW, Gig Harbor, WA 98329. St Joseph, MO: Missouri Valley Amateur Radio Club, W0P. 1400Z-2200Z Apr 2. Start of the Pony Express. 28.350 21.350 14.250 7.250. Certificate. Missouri Valley Amateur Radio Club, PO Box 1533, St Joseph, MO 64502. Tulsa, OK: Tulsa Health Department Amateur Radio Club, K5THD. 0000Z-2400Z Apr 2. Celebrating World Health Day 2005. 28.365 21.365 14.265 7.265. Certificate. Dave Cox, Tulsa Health Department Amateur Radio Club, 5051 S 129 E Ave, Tulsa, OK 74134. www.tulsa-health.org/k5thd. Zebulon, NC: Triangle East ARA, WA4UQC. 1400Z-2000Z Apr 2. Scootworks Open House & ACS Relay for Life. 21.275 14.275 7.275 147.39. Certificate. Dave Hockaday, WB4IUY, 7804 River Dare Ave, Youngsville, NC 27596. www.TEARA.org. Brampton, ON: Peel/Mississauga Amateur Radio Clubs, VE3XR. 1300Z-1600Z Apr 9. Ham-Ex Annual Hamfest. 14.265 7.240. QSL. Via bureau or direct to Jeff Richardson, VA3QSL, 36 Crawley Dr, Brampton, ON, Canada L6T 2S1. www.peelarc.org. Note: US postage cannot be used in Canada. Green Valley, AZ: Green Valley Amateur Radio Club, N7GV. 1500Z-2300Z Apr 9. Community Emergency Awareness in the Best Snowbird Nest in the Southwest. 21.375 14.245 14.050 145.29. Certificate. Gene Schouweiler, W0KAD, 214 N Crocodile Rock Dr, Green Valley, AZ 85614. Indian Orchard, MA: Titanic Historical Society, W1MGY. 1330Z Apr 9-0527Z Apr 15. Commemorating the 93rd anniversary of the Titanic voyage. 14.260 14.033 7.033 3.860. QSL. Titanic Historical Society QSL, PO Box 51053, 208 Main St, Indian Orchard, MA 01151-0053. www.hcra.org/titanic.htm. Trento, Italy: Carabinieri On The Air (C.O.T.A.), II3CC. 0700Z Apr 15-1900Z Apr 17. XVI National Meeting ANC Associazione Nazionale Carabinieri. 28.500 21.280 14.280 7.070. QSL. Orlando Balisciano, IZ8DDG, Via Villa Bisignano, V Traversa no. 21, Napoli, Italy 80147. www.cota.cc. Bossier City, LA: Shreveport Amateur Radio Association and 8th Air Force Museum, W5E. 2100Z Apr 15-2300Z Apr 17. 60th anniversary of the last combat mission flown by the 8th Air Force over Germany during WWII. 80-10 m SSB and CW; vintage 80 40 m AM/CW. Certificate. W5E, PO Box 37632, Shreveport, LA 71133. www.k5sar.com. (ARRL)
Cook Islands DXCC status changed (Apr 2, 2005) Issuance of a call sign prefix block for the Cook Islands has made them a DXCC political entity. "It has come to our attention that the International Telecommunication Union Table of International Callsign Series now contains an entry for the Cook Islands," said ARRL Membership Services Manager Wayne Mills, N7NG. "New Zealand has been issued the E5A-E5Z call sign prefix block for the exclusive use of the Cook Islands. As a result, the Cooks become a political entity for DXCC purposes." Mills says the impact on the DXCC List will be minimal, however. "In reviewing the distances, it appears that the first 'separation' from the South Cooks likely will be Palmerston Island, which is just over 350 km northwest of Raratonga," he explained. "The remainder of what has been known as the North Cooks is not sufficiently distant from Palmerston to become an additional DXCC entity." Mills says the main effect of the change will be for Palmerston to count for North Cooks instead of South Cooks. The change also may clarify a situation with the North Cooks. "Since the addition of the Manihiki Islands (North Cooks) in January 1959 was not based on a specific distance, Palmerston has counted as South Cooks," he said. "DXCC Rule 5a comes into play now, keeping both North and South Cooks on the list, but moving Palmerston to the North Cooks because it is more than 350 km from the South islands and becomes the first separation." Under the circumstances, Mills said, it might now be appropriate to rename the entity "Palmerston and the North Cooks." (ARRL News Service)
April 1 2005 ARRL DX News This week's bulletin was made possible with information provided by MM0BQI, NC1L, W4TXL, QRZ DX, the OPDX Bulletin, The Daily DX, 425DXnews, DXNL, WA7BNM and Contest Corral from QST. Thanks to all. MALAWI,
7Q. Joe, G3MRC and Janet, M0JMP are now QRV from the lake shore
at Nkhotakota as 7Q7BP and 7Q7YL, respectively. Activity is on most
HF bands. QSL via operators' instructions.
BHUTAN, A5. Stig, LA7JO will be QRV as A52JO from April 4 to 15. QSL via operator's instructions. UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, A6. Ghis, ON5NT is QRV as A6/ON5NT and has been active on 17 meters around 1430z. QSL to home call. BOLIVIA, CP. Rene, DF9GR is QRV as CP6/homecall until April 15. Activity is on 80 to 10 meters using CW, RTTY and PSK. QSL to home call. SCOTLAND, GM. Andre, GM3VLB plans to activate the Isle of May, IOTA EU-123, from April 2 to 9. QSL via operator's instructions. Meanwhile, MM0BQI/p will be active from the Summer Isles, IOTA EU-092, off the Northwest coast, from April 2 to 9. Activity will be on 80 to 10 meters, and possibly 60 meters, using CW, SSB and RTTY. QSL to home call. SAUDI ARABIA, HZ. Thomas, HZ1EX is here until the end of June. He is usually QRV on 40 meters using CW on most days. QSL via SM0BYD. ITALY, I. Members of the MDXC will be QRV as IB0CW from Ventotene Island, IOTA EU-045, from April 2 to 4. Activity will be on 80 to 6 meters, using CW, SSB, RTTY and PSK. QSL via IK8RRY. DENMARK, OZ. In celebration of the 200th anniversary of the birth of Hans Christian Andersen, special event station OZ5HCA is active until April 30 from Odense, Fyn Island, IOTA EU-172. QSL via OZ3FYN. Meanwhile, DJ4MG and DL1TM are QRV as OZ/homecalls from Vendsyssel-Thy, IOTA EU-171, until April 14. Activity is on 160 to 15 meters using SSB and PSK31. QSL to home calls. SOMALIA, T5. Joe, VA6JWT, is QRV as 6O0JT from Galkayo. He has been active on 20 meters around 2015 to 2315z. QSL to home call. NETHERLAND
ANTILLES, PJ2. Andy, W9NJY will be QRV as PJ4/W9NJY from Bonaire,
IOTA SA-006, from April 2 to 12. Activity will be on 40 to 10 meters
using mostly CW with some SSB. QSL via WD9DZV.
NORFOLK ISLAND, VK9N. Jim, VK9NS has been QRV using RTTY on 15 meters around 0100z. QSL direct. SOUTH COOK ISLANDS, ZK1. Rick, AI5P will be QRV as ZK1APX from April 4 to 12. Activity will be on 40 to 10 meters using mostly CW. QSL to home call. OPERATIONS APPROVED FOR DXCC. The following operations are approved for DXCC credit: Chad, TT8M, current operation effective March 9, 2005 (this is a correction from the previous bulletin); Chad, TT8AMO, current operation effective March 9, 2005. THIS WEEKEND ON THE RADIO. The ARLHS Annual Spring Lites QSO Party, Kids Roundup, SP DX Contest, EA RTTY Contest, Missouri QSO Party, QCWA Spring QSO Party, Montana QSO Party, The RSGB RoPoCo 80-meter CW contest and the 144 MHz Spring Sprint will certainly keep contesters busy this weekend. Please see April QST, page 99 and the ARRL and WA7BNM contest websites for details. (ARRL)
Apr. 2-15 2005 I.C.P.O. Bulletin Islands, Castles & Portable Operations - I.C.P.O. 02/04/2005: EU-123
GM3VLB/P ISLE of MAY -
02/04/2005: IIA:NA-022
I's/H.C.'s/P MEGARIDE ISLAND -
02/04/2005: EU-045
IBØCW VENTOTENE ISLAND -
02/04/2005: EU-092
MMØBQI/P TANERA MOR, SUMMER ISLES -
04/04/2005: EU-120
G5XW/P ISLE OF WIGHT -
04/04/2005: EU-026
JW/F8DVD SVALBARD -
04/04/2005: EU-125
OZ/H.C.'s MANDOE ISLAND -
04/04/2005: OC-013
ZK1APX SOUTH COOK ISLANDS -
06/04/2005: A25/H.C.'s
BOTSWANA -
07/04/2005: OC-220
VI5PN ST PETER ISLAND -
09/04/2005: EU-131
IZ3EAY/P, IZ3EBA/P LIDO ISLAND -
09/04/2005: USI:MD-017S
K4HTA/P TILGHMAN ISLAND -
15/04/2005: CIA-28
9AØIARU ISLAND OF MURTER -
15/04/2005: NA-080
C6AWF ABACO ISLAND -
15/04/2005: EU-127
DFØCB HELGOLAND ISLAND -
73 and Good
Hunting!
Home of
ICPO:
www.qsl.net/va3rj
Note: A complete list of Prefixes assigned by International Telecommunications Union can be found on the Trans Provincial Website: www.tpn7055.ca/callsign.html
FCC to update third-party traffic list to include all UK stations (Mar 29, 2005) The FCC is expected to soon update its Web site listing of countries with which US Amateur Radio Service licensees may exchange third-party traffic (ie, messages on behalf of a party other than the control operator). The updated list will reflect the addition of all amateur stations in the United Kingdom (the UK, the Channel Islands, including Guernsey and Jersey, Great Britain, the Isle of Man and Northern Ireland). The change is already effective. Section 97.115 of the FCC's Amateur Radio Service rules regulates communications from a station's control operator (first party) to another amateur station's control operator (second party) on behalf of another person (third party). No FCC-regulated amateur station may transmit messages for a third party to any amateur station located within the jurisdiction of any foreign government not on the FCC list or whose administration has not made specific arrangements with the US to allow amateur stations to transmit international communications on behalf of third parties. The prohibition regarding third-party traffic does not apply to messages for any third party who is eligible to be the control operator of the station. (ARRL News Service)
Amateur Radio to Have Role in Largest-Ever Mass Casualty Exercise (Mar 21, 2005) Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) members in Connecticut, New Jersey and several other states in the Northeastern US are preparing to take part in what's being characterized as the most comprehensive terrorism response exercise ever conducted in the US. Sponsored by the US Department of Homeland Security and intended as a realistic test of the nation's homeland security system, the exercise--TOPOFF 3--gets under way Monday, April 4, and continues through the week. ARES primarily will support the American Red Cross--the only nongovernmental organization with a formal role in the recently released National Disaster Plan. The Red Cross has main responsibility for mass care under the plan. Connecticut Section Emergency Coordinator Chuck Rexroad, AB1CR, is in the process of lining up the 100 or so volunteers he estimates will be needed in the region for the mass casualty drill. Full Story: http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2005/03/21/101/?nc=1 (ARRL News Service)
Huge mass casualty exercise will put Amateur Radio under scrutiny (Mar. 24 2005) Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) members in Connecticut and elsewhere in the Northeast are poised to take part in what's being characterized as the most comprehensive terrorism response exercise ever conducted in the US. Sponsored by the US Department of Homeland Security as a realistic test of the nation's homeland security system, the exercise--TOPOFF 3--will run Monday through Friday, April 4-8. Approximately 100 ARES volunteers primarily will support the American Red Cross. While governmental agencies will comprise the majority of those taking part in TOPOFF 3, Amateur Radio's cooperation with, and assistance, to the American Red Cross will be under scrutiny. ''We've been assigned evaluators and judges who will be watching what we do and how we do it to determine our suitability for such things in the future,'' explained Connecticut Section Emergency Coordinator Chuck Rexroad, AB1CR. ''So we do hope that this will show that we are very relevant in responding to a disaster situation.'' The TOPOFF 3 scenario will depict a complex terrorist campaign beginning in Connecticut and New Jersey and leading to national and international response that will include Canada and the United Kingdom. The only nongovernmental organization with a formal role in the recently released National Disaster Plan, the Red Cross has main responsibility for mass care. Rexroad anticipates that ARES will be providing its traditional ''backbone'' communication support among Red Cross mobile feeding stations, the organization's temporary stationary facilities and other Red Cross units. ARES also will be ready to provide back-up communication support the Connecticut Office of Emergency Management, he said. Rexroad and Connecticut Section Manager Betsey Doane, K1EIC, have been gearing up for TOPOFF 3 for more than a year. Both hope the ARES role in the drill will provide graduates of the ARRL Amateur Radio Emergency Communications courses a chance to put into practice what they've learned--on a national stage. With the drill just days away, Rexroad said he still needs volunteers from the region who will comfortable with a high-security environment, realistic-looking ''injuries'' and military aircraft flying overhead. Due to security requirements, all volunteers must register with ARES in advance. Information on the exercise and how to volunteer is on the Connecticut ARES Web site: www.ctares.org (ARRL Bulletin)
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