Mar. 2004  European Parliament adopts new EMC directive

For some time, amateurs in Europe have been working to ensure that new regulations adopted by the European parliament, will contain wording to protect the interests of the amateur radio community.

Gaston Bertels ON4WF, reports in the March 2004 issue of the IARU Eurocom Newsletter that the European Parliament has adopted a report on the new EMC Directive regarding Electromagnetic Compatibility of Equipment.

Included in the report is the following statement.

"Member States are responsible for ensuring that radio-communications, including radio broadcast reception and the amateur radio service operating in accordance with ITU radio regulations, electrical supply and telecommunications networks, as well as equipment connected thereto, are protected against electromagnetic disturbance".

This simple statement will go a long way towards ensuring that amateurs are protected against interference from things like Broad Band over Powerlines, while also ensuring that consumer equipment is properly shielded and protected from picking up amateur signals.

Gaston says that the next step is to see the text adopted by the European Economic Commission.

(Gaston Bertels ON4WF and Eurocom Newsletter)

(RAC News Service)

==========

Apr. 2 2004   New Amateur Radio LF Record Claimed

Amateur stations in New Zealand and Asiatic Russia are laying claim to a new low-frequency world distance QSO record. Bob Vernall, ZL2CA, told ARRL this week that ZM2E, near Wellington, New Zealand, and UA0LE, near Vladivostok, Russia, completed a two-way contact during the night of March 20 on 137.70 kHz.

"The path length is estimated to be 10,311 km (6,392 miles), which is claimed as a new world record between amateur stations on LF bands," Vernall said. "For several hours signals received at ZM2E were so strong that they could be decoded 'by ear,' despite high peaks of QRN." By noting tone-on and tone-off times and checking them against a highly-accurate digital clock, the ZM2E operators at one point were able to decode the very slow-speed (QRSS) CW without resorting to Argo DSP software signal detection.

The Wellington Amateur Radio Club station at Quartz Hill uses the special ZM2E call sign for work in the 136-kHz band. A DXpedition station, UA0LE obtained permission to support its LF antennas from a 90-meter (295.3 feet) broadcast mast.

Vernall said UA0LE set up for a slow-speed CW beacon transmission on 137.7895 kHz using 60-second dits--known as QRSS60. "They used the shortened form of 'UATLE' to save time in sending," he explained. Because they need to be succinct, Vernall said, LF DX signal reports use the same "O," "M" and "T" signal reports  www.arrl.org/tis/info/pdf/78518.pdf developed for moonbounce and other weak-signal communication.

On the big day, ZM2E started calling UA0LE at 0930 UTC--sunset in Vladivostok. The first good UA0LE signals showed up on the computer screen at 1030 UTC, Vernall said.

The defining moment came when UA0LE confirmed reception of the "O" report from ZM2E. "At 1650 UTC, we received 'ZM RO E,' and by acknowledging our report to them it satisfied the minimum requirements for claiming a two-way contact," Vernall said. The two stations continued to "tie the ribbons" on the QSO for another hour or so.

Vernall and Andrew Corney, ZL2BBJ, were the operators at ZM2E. The operators in Vladivostok were Vlad Burakov, UA0LE; Vic Bondarev, UA9OC; Andy Rodichev, RA0LGH, and Ed Lesnichy, RU6LA.

(ARRL Newsletter)

========

Apr. 2 2004  Sweden Goes Code Free

It now looks likely that Swedish radio amateurs with a Class 2 license which is the equivalent of our code free Technician class, will be allowed to operate on the High Frequency bands as of early April.  The decision to drop the Morse code requirement for an HF bands license in Sweden had been postponed from the 1st of January.  A note in the March issue of QTC, the Swedish national society's magazine, suggested that on or about April 1st is when the change will be made.

(GB2RS)

========

Planning a trip to East Africa ?

The Communications Commission of Kenya has announced new, quicker and simpler requirements for Amateur Radio license applicants in Kenya. The countries of foreign licensed applicants must have diplomatic relations with Kenya, either directly or through another country. Security vetting and Police vetting are no longer required, but CCK will have to obtain confirmation of the applicant's validity (usually by e-mail) from the original Licensing Authority. This means that on receipt of confirmation from the other country, the license will be issued on the spot and the very lengthy delays of the past (the longest was five and a half years) will be no more.

Kenya citizen applicants will still of course require an acceptable valid foreign license or RAE Pass Certificate but will benefit from the dropping of the need for security vetting. They still require a Certificate of Good Conduct from the Kenya Police CID.

We do not yet have details of any alterations to the fees (currently K.Shs.1,000 on application and K.Shs.2,000 on issue, at about US$1=K.Shs.77, and this is unlikely to change.)

The new application form is being compiled and details will shortly be published on the CCK website at www.cck.go.ke  . Please see the ARSK website for details, kept up to date as they are obtained, at www.qsl.net/arsk . ARSK will be glad to assist new applicants with information as advice.

(Thanks to Ted Alleyne, 5Z4NU Chairman/Secretary ARSK NAIROBI)

(RAC News Service)

Atlantic Maritime Section

More news on propagation experiments in the 2 km band

RAC Newfoundland Section Manager Joe Craig VO1NA,  reports more successful transatlantic QSO's on 2200 metres with G3LDO and M0BMU.

Those of you who have been following the progress of experimentation in the 135 kHz band, will recall that amateurs have been using very slow speed CW, and sophisticated signal processing to read signals well below noise level

Joe has been experimenting with higher speed CW and during the very favorable conditions we've been experiencing lately 1.2 WPM was copied by  M0BMU in the UK, and Joes call sign was identified by H. Wolff in Germany. Look for more details in a forthcoming item in TCA.

(VE3PU)

(RAC News Service)

April 17 2004   Montreal Amateur Radio Club Spring Fleamarket/Hamfest

Sponsored by: The Montreal Amateur Radio Club Inc.
Location: Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 212  7771 Bouvier (corner of Shevchenko) STM bus 109 stops at the door.
Opening: Vendors 0730 AM, Public 0830 AM to Noon
Cost: Admission $4.00, Tables $8.00 Two for $15.00
Talkin:  VE2RED 147.270 (+)
Notes: Amateur Radio Exams to be held 0900 AM - noon.
For more info:  www.marc.qc.ca/fest/fest.html

Mar. 31 2004  New Repeater in Gorrie

Just a heads up to let you know about a new repeater in this area. It is VE3WIK (147.105 +) PL 131.8. The owners are VE3WA and VE3RNK. The machine is located in Gorrie, which is north of Listowel and west of Mount Forest, and plans are in the works to have it linked to other area repeaters fairly soon. I was able to access it with five watts from my QTH in Maxwell, and had a QSO with Jerry, VA3AAG, in Lion's Head. Jerry told me that they have already had contacts with St. Catharines and Manitoulin using the repeater, so the footprint is quite large.

(Glenn VE3GNA)

=========

April 5 2004  Kitchener Waterloo Amateur Radio Club Meeting

The Kitchener Waterloo Amateur Radio Club  KWARC meets on the first monday of each month at the RAF 404 Wing located on Dutton Dr in Waterloo. Meeting starts at 7.30 pm and all are welcome to attend. The next meeting will be on April 5 (Monday).

Please check our web site for map details and presentor topic. www.kwarc.org

Ben Sasiela VE3ST
President KWARC.

=============

April 19 2004  Guelph Amateur Radio Club Meeting

GARC - the Guelph Amateur Radio Club - meets on the third monday of each month in the VIP Room at Zehrs, located at Imperial and Paisley in Guelph. Meeting starts at 7.30 pm and all are welcome to attend. The next meeting will be on April 19 (Monday).

Mike Peleschak VE3OGE
Secretary, GARC

=============

April 10 2004  IARC 9th Annual Flea Market

Sponsored by:  The Iroquois Amateur Radio Club
Location: Iroquois Civic Centre
Opening: Vendors 0800, Public 0900 to 1200
Cost:  Admission free, Tables $10
Talkin: VE3IRO 145.290 (-)
For more info: web.ripnet.com/~ve3ugw

=============

April 17 2004  Whitby ARC 2nd Annual Hamfest

Sponsored by: The Whitby Amateur Radio Club Whitby Ontario
Location: Jubilee Pavillion, 55 Lake View Park, Oshawa, Simcoe Street south of Hwy 401 on the shores of Lake Ontario. Exit off Hwy 401, Exit #417 Eastbound, Exit  418 Westbound.
Opening: Vendors 7AM. Public 9AM to 1PM.
Cost:  Admission $5. Tables 8' $ 10.00 Tailgaters $ 5.00 + $5.00 Admission
Talkin: VE3WOM 147.150 +
Notes:   New this year the Lunch counter will be serving full breakfasts, along with hot dogs , hamburgers etc.
For more info: http://w.a.r.c.tripod.com

=============

July 22-25 2004   Central States VHF Conference

The Ontario VHF Association will be hosting the Central States VHF Conference this year on July 22-25 at the Delta Meadowvale Resort ( 401 & Mississagua Rd. ) and have a planned visit for those arriving on the Thursday, July 22

I know that not everyone will be interested in the conference itself but I can ask Peter, VE3AX if we could be part of the visiting group to the museum. The conference itself is a huge undertaking by this group and I thought a little support from some of the locals might be appreciated. I plan on taking in some of the activities during that weekend since there are speakers from across Canada and the US. ( These guy's are some of the brightest minds in the game )

Some topics are...Broadband over powerlines ( a topic we should all be interested in ), moonbounce, getting started in VHF/UHF, antenna heights for 6 meter Spradic E, and contesting techniques. A hospitality suite will be open on Friday night from 7 PM to midnight and I'm sure Peter will have videos etc. of the visit to the Algonquin radio site for their Moonbounce adventures.

(Paul, VE3EU)

Winnipeg Amateur Radio Club  Meeting

Our meetings consist of a short business portion, a coffee break for socializing, and a presentation normally related to radio.  Every meeting also features a raffle open to all attendees and a door prize for members.

• April 19, 2004: Our "Home Brew Night"
• May 10, 2004: Ed, VE4YU, will be giving a presentation on "Digital Communication"
• June 14, 2004: TBA

Meetings are held on the second Monday of each month. The meeting will be on the third Monday if the second is a statutory holiday. No meetings are held in July & August  Mettings are held in the theatre or cafateria of  Sturgeon Creek Regional Secondary School  Ness Ave. at Thompson Dr. in Winnipeg 7:30 p.m.

All are welcome!

Club Website:  http://ve4.net/warc

America's

Apr. 2, 2004  K7RA Solar Update

The third week of spring begins this weekend.  HF conditions have been good, with moderate geomagnetic conditions prevailing.  Average daily sunspot numbers for the past week, March 25-31 were up when compared to the previous week, over 31 points to 123.9.  Average daily solar flux rose 11 points.

On March 29, the sun showed several spots pointed earthward, including one large spot, 582.  The sunspot number on that day was 169, the highest since November 30, when it was 178.  Geomagnetic conditions weren't bad on March 29, with the planetary A index at 12 and mid-latitude A index at 9.

Any doubts that the overall decline of this solar cycle is well underway are dashed when examining some recent short-term averages. The first quarter of 2004 just ended, and average solar flux and sunspot numbers for the period are down.  From the third quarter of 2002 through the first quarter of 2004, the average daily sunspot numbers were 193.5, 152.7, 120.3, 107.3, 110.2, 99.2 and 72.9. Average daily solar flux values for the same seven quarters were 178.1, 164.2, 134.3, 124.2, 120.8, 137.4 and 111.1.

Scott Craig has a minor bug fix for his Solar Data Plotting Utility. He fixed the leap year problem, and the program contains a data file updated through March 3.  Download version 3.13 at  www.craigcentral.com/sol.asp

Over the next five days solar flux values should stay between 110-115.  The planetary A index for April 2-6 is predicted to be 8, 8, 20, 20 and 35.  The predicted rise in geomagnetic activity is because of a possible solar wind for Sunday, April 4.  Today, April 2, there is a slight chance of the earth's magnetic field being hit by a coronal mass ejection.

This weekend is the Montana QSO Party.  Here are some times when 40, 20, 15 and 10 meters may be open to Montana from various locations. The Montana end of the path in these calculations is in the western part of the state, roughly centered on Helena.

From Japan, 40 meters 0900-1400z, 20 meters 0600-0800 and 1400-1700z, 15 meters 2030-0430z and 10 meters possibly around 2100-0400z.

From Australia, 40 meters 0900-1430z, 20 meters 0800-1500z, 15 meters 1530-1730 and 0500-0730z and 10 meters 2130-0300z.

From New Zealand, 40 meters 0600-1400z, 20 meters 0430-1530z, 15 meters 0300-0700z and 10 meters 2000-0230z.

From Hawaii, 40 meters 0330-1500z, 20 meters open 24 hours, with weakest signals 1000-1300 and 1900-2330z and strongest signals 0500-0800 and 1500-1830z.  Check 15 meters 1630-0530z and 10 meters 2000-2300z.

From Dallas, Texas, 40 meters open 24 hours with best signals 0200-1200z and weakest signals 1700-2100z.  20 meters should open 1230-0600z, with signals stronger later in the period.  15 meters should open 1530-0130z, with best bet around 1800-2230z.  10 meters might possibly open 1700-2200z.

From Atlanta, Georgia, 40 meters 2230-1430z, with strongest signals 0200-1130z.  Check 20 meters 1130-0630z, with signals stronger later in the period.  15 meters 1400-0400z, 10 meters 1700-2230z, with best chance around 2000-2100z.

From Montreal, Quebec, 40 meters 2300-1330z, strongest 0200-1030z. 20 meters 1200-0600z, stronger later in the period.  15 meters 1530-0200z, best bet around 1830-0000z.  10 meters might possibly open 1500-0100z.

From Germany, 40 meters 0100-0630z, strongest 0200-0530z.  Check 20 meters 2100-0000z and 1830-2100z.  15 meters 1830-2100z, possible 10 meter opening 1700-2100z.

From Brazil, 40 meters 0130-1000z, 20 meters 2330-0800z and again around 1130z, 15 meters 1300-0430z, weakest 1500-2000z.  10 meters looks good 1630-2300z.

From Cuba, 40 meters 0100-1200z, 20 meters 1300-0530z (weakest 1600-2030z), 15 meters 1700-0000z and possible 10 meter opening 1800-2030z.

For more information concerning propagation and an explanation of the numbers used in this bulletin see the Propagation page on the ARRL Web site at http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/propagation.html.

Sunspot numbers for March 25 through 31 were 128, 100, 129, 125, 169, 121 and 95 with a mean of 123.9.  10.7 cm flux was 127, 123.8, 127.6, 129, 128.6, 126.7 and 121.2, with a mean of 126.3.  Estimated planetary A indices were 8, 11, 14, 17, 12, 12 and 7, with a mean of 11.6.

(W1AW)

Apr. 1 2004   ARISS Roy Neal Commemorative Event certificates to be mailed soon

Stations that contacted or monitored the ISS on voice (NA1SS) or packet (RS0ISS) during the month of December 2003 are eligible for a special event certificate.(See "K6DUE ISS Commemorative Event Certificates"). ARRL Headquarters expects to receive certificates destined for US stations and will attempt to get them into the mail as soon as possible after their arrival. ARISS is an international educational outreach program with participation by ARRL, NASA and AMSAT. www.rac.ca/ariss

(ARRL News Service)

==========

Apr. 1 2004  PCSat2 passes pre-launch testing

PCSat2, a low-cost Amateur Radio payload built with off-the-shelf parts and components by students at the US Naval Academy, passed its final outgassing tests over the March 27-28 weekend. AMSAT News Service reports the spacecraft is ready for launch aboard the first shuttle return-to-flight mission in 2005. PCSat2 will be installed as an external experimental payload on the International Space Station. Bob Bruninga, WB4APR, says PCSAT2 will be part of a Materials International Space Station Experiment (MISSE) using a Passive Experiment Container (PEC) to fly space environment samples to space and back. The package will be affixed to the exterior of the ISS during a space walk to expose its samples to space. In this case, the samples are high-tech Department of Defense solar cells on the side of the MISSE facing the sun. On the back side, the Naval Academy will add an amateur satellite communications system similar to what's already flying on PCsat as an external Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) payload. It will support educational and student outreach objectives of AMSAT, ARRL and NASA.

Additional information on the PCSat2 mission is available at: www.ew.usna.edu/~bruninga/pcsat2.html

(AMSAT News Service)

==========

Mar. 31 2004   ARISS team meets at the European Space Agency

From March 25th to 27th, the ARISS team met at the ESTEC research and test facilities of the European space agency in Noordwijk, the Netherlands.

A total of about 30 delegates and observers from Canada, the USA, Japan, Russia, and Europe attended the meeting. Canadian delegates were AMSAT President, Robin Haighton VE3FRH, and Ken Pulfer VE3PU representing RAC.

ARISS Chair Frank Bauer, opened the meeting with a tribute to Roy Neal K6DUE who was the originator and driving force behind the idea of establishing an amateur station on the ISS. Roy passed away last year, and will be sorely missed.

New members of the team attending for the first time were welcomed, and departing members recognized for past contributions.  All agreed that ARISS is at a turning point in its development as technology advances, recognition and support from the ISS partner Space Agencies grow, and fresh blood with new ideas join the team.

During the three day meeting, the team reviewed the status of the the amateur radio equipment currently on the ISS, and discussed plans for uploading the remainder of the phase 2 hardware. New proposals from the UK, Hungary, the US and Russia, and updated proposals from Germany were considered, and some were approved for future development.

The status of ARISS school contacts was also reviewed in detail, and suggestions were made to improve scheduling in light of the very heavy workload born by the Space Station Astronauts during the period while the Space Shuttle is not operating.

A highlight of the meeting was a tour of ESA facilities including a full scale model of the Columbus module, and a full scale mock up of the Zvezda module where the initial amateur station is located.

For the latest information about Amateur radio on the international space station, visit the ARISS English language web site at
www.rac.ca/ariss

(RAC News Service)

========

Apr. 2 2004  First call for AMSAT-NA Symposium papers

AMSAT-NA has issued its first call for papers for presentation during the 2004 AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual Meeting this fall. The gathering will be held October 8-10 in Arlington, Virginia, in conjunction with the ARISS International meeting, October 10-13. Proposals for papers, symposium presentations, and poster presentations are invited on any topic of interest to amateur satellite enthusiasts. This year's focus is AMSAT's educational outreach. In particular, AMSAT-NA seeks papers on these topics: Students and education, the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) program, Echo, Eagle and other satellite-related topics. One-page abstracts are due by June 1, and final papers (hard copy or electronic) are due by August 1 for inclusion in the printed symposium Proceedings. Send abstracts and papers to Daniel Schultz, N8FGV, 14612 Dowling Dr, Burtonsville, MD 20866 or via e-mail:  n8fgv@amsat.org

(ARRL Newsletter)

=========

Apr. 2 2004  Radio amateurs fill key NASA space flight positions

Two veteran astronauts and Amateur Radio licensees have been named to key space flight posts at NASA's Johnson Space Center (JSC) in Houston. Bob Cabana, KC5HBV, who has flown on four shuttle flights, has been named JSC Deputy Director. Ken Bowersox, KD5JBP, will replace Cabana as director of flight crew operations. Cabana succeeds Brock "Randy" Stone, who is retiring after 36 years with NASA that included work on the Apollo lunar missions, Skylab, the space shuttle, and the International Space Station. "These two appointments really enhance the strong team we have leading us into the space shuttle's return to flight and continuing space station operations," said NASA Associate Administrator for Space Flight William Readdy. JSC Director Jefferson D. Howell Jr said Cabana and Bowersox "bring a wealth of experience in human space flight and an understanding of the importance of space exploration. Their leadership will help us as we move forward in our journey of discovery." Cabana has logged more than 1000 hours in space. Bowersox has flown on five space missions and spent more than five months aboard the ISS as commander of Expedition 6, where he participated from NA1SS during Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) school group and casual contacts.

(ARRL Newsletter)

========

With the NASA Cassini spacecraft carrying the ESA Huygens Probe about to enter orbit around Saturn on July 1 SpaceRef is pleased to announce the launch of a new web site dedicated to Saturn, Saturn Today. To learn more about Saturn and the exciting Cassini-Huygens mission, visit Saturn Today now: www.saturntoday.com

(SpaceRef)

========

Note: For information about Amateur Radio on the International Space Station "ARISS" visit the ARISS English language
web site:  www.rac.ca/ariss

Note: "Hams in Action" is a new area in the bulletin and is in need of articles and stories of events from your local club or ARES Group. Submission to Hams in Action:  Bulletin Editor: va3ku@rac.ca

=============

Apr. 17 2004 Simcoe County Canwarn training. CANWARN 2004

This years CANWARN session in Orillia will take place on Saturday, April 17th at the OPP Headquarters Auditorium, 777 Memorial Ave. in Orillia.
Remember to park in the South parking lot.
The session is scheduled to get underway at 8:00 a.m. and will be over by 12:00 noon.
The price this year is $5.00

Space is limited. If you are planning to attend, please reply via email and I will return confirmation.  Hope to see you there.

Bob Simpson VE3ODR
ve3odr@rac.ca
phone 705 689-6545

(Glenn VE3GNA RAC OBS)

==============

Dufferin County Canwarn Training

April 25th. CANWARN training session at the galaxy Theatre Orangeville. Time to be announced. [tentative 8.30am]  Added attraction, thunder and lightening show by Phil Chadwick. Contact  Paul Chantree, VE3PWZ  519-925-5010

(Glenn VE3GNA RAC OBS)

==============

Apr. 21 2004 Kitchener Waterloo Amateur Radio Club  2004 Canwarn Training

Our annual CANWARN spotter training will be will be held at the University of Waterloo, 7PM in the Engineering Lecture Theatre on Wednesday, April 21st. This is the same location as last year. For 2004, the severe weather program images have been re-worked by Mr. Phil Chadwick, Environment Canada's leading severe weather expert. Usually CANWARN is reserved to ham operators only, but this year Environment Canada officials are asking for anyone who is interested to attend. If you have a friend who isn't a ham, but they're interested in Summer severe weather, please bring them with you.

Our weather portion speaker will be Rob Kuhn, a severe weather forecaster, teaming with Scott Keddie, VE3IPE, who will address the Net Protocol portion of the program.

If you are interested in becoming a CANWARN spotter, recognizing and reporting summer severe weather events to Net Control, as well as helping your community, please plan to attend.

Thanks goes to Ed Spike VE3TCK for arranging the location at the University of Waterloo (same place as last year) on Wednesday April 21, 7:00pm start time.

Complete detail on the Club Website: www.kwarc.org/canwarn
 

(Ron Gravelle VA3TVS)
CANWARN Manager

==============

April 18, 2004  Multiple Sclerosis Walk

Scarborough ARES group with support from the Scarborough Amateur Radio Club will be assisting with communications for the April 18th MS Walk, Scarborough.  The walk is scheduled to begin at 9:30 AM at Cedarbrea Collegiate Hall.  The walk will then follow the Hart Trail through Thomson Park in Scarborough. Amateur Radio operators from across the Toronto will be supporting the Scarborough group;  and, assist in communications. This year we expect a certain amount of radio traffic via FRS.  Last year the Scarborough group experimented with FRS. Scarborough ARES EC, Bob VE3IEL, thinks that FRS has a lot of potential in working with non ham groups. The local ARES group has been carrying on tests with FRS every Saturday Morning at 10:30 AM on channel 14, using no tones.  More FRS test will be conducted before the April 18th MS Walk.

For more information contact Bob VE3IEL, using e-mail address:  ve3iel@rac.ca

===========

Apr. 2 2004 Amateurs assisting Red Cross in Colorado fire:

At week's end, Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) members were supporting American Red Cross shelter operations in northern Colorado, where a wildfire had prompted voluntary evacuations of residents in a threatened subdivision. ARRL Colorado Section Emergency Coordinator Rob Roller, N7LV, says the latest word he has is that between six and eight amateurs per shift are supporting the shelters. It's anticipated they'll continue that coverage through the weekend and possibly longer. As of April 2, the 3500-acre-and-growing Fort Collins Picnic Rock Fire in the mountains some 15 miles northwest of Fort Collins was only 15 percent contained, according to the National Interagency Fire Center www.nifc.gov . "The fire season is starting very early this year," said Roller. "March and April are normally our snowiest months, but instead we have conditions that haven't been this dry in over 90 years." The Picnic Rock Fire got ! its start March 30 when a residential yard fire went out of control, and winds gusting to 35 MPH have helped spread the flames through the timber-pocked brush and grassland area. More than 200 firefighters, air tankers and helicopters were battling the flames, but no homes or structures had been lost.

(ARRL Newsletter)

=============

Mar. 4 2004  Ham radio the sole source of communication with vessel in difficulty.

On March 4 Bernie VK2ABN,  heard a weak and distorted signal from KA7MWL Shawn, who was aboard a Ukrainian registered schooner sailing from Wellington NZ to Sydney Australia. Sails had blown out and they were making slow progress around 4 knots. At that speed they had calculated that they would run out of fuel before reaching port,

Bernie ascertained that 6 people were on board, but no emergency radio beacon! All this information was relayed to Sea Safety in Canberra.

With the schooner's satellite communication system also out of action, the Ham aboard, Shawn KA7MWL operating around 5 watts on 7070 Khz was the only contact. Sea Safety Canberra QSY'd from 8176 kHz to the 40 meter band but as their transmitter was in Charleville, SW Queensland, no contact could be established.

Bernie arranged  for a sked in 24 hours time, and this time things were a lot better radio and safety wise, with the schooner expected in Sydney ahead of previously estimated time. The Sydney Water Police stayed in contact with VK2ABN, keeping abreast of the situation, since with no HF facilities of their own they were reliant on Bernie!

As Bernie said... " I hadn't realized you can now call MAYDAY on the various distress frequencies but nobody is listening any more. Since the advent of GMDSS a computer scans the frequencies looking for encoded tones. If it finds one it attracts human intervention."

(Chris Jones...VK2ABN via QNEWS)

(RAC News Service)

Apr. 1 2004   Radical new approach simplifies antenna design

The RAC web site has obtained permission to reproduce the first in a series of articles describing a new tool for understanding how antennas work, and how the tool may be applied to design and build better antennas – something that interests every radio amateur. For more details, visit the RAC website at: www.rac.ca/news/hp_antennas.htm

(RAC News Service)

Contest News

8th Annual Ontario QSO Party

Would just like to give a "heads up" to readers of the Canadian Amateur Radio Bulletin that Canada's  third largest amateur radio contest....the 8th Annual Ontario QSO Party, sponsored by the Ontario DX Association takes place on the weekend of April 17-18th this year. The contest starts at 1800 UTC on the Saturday and runs till 1800 UTC on the Sunday.

This is a fun and friendly contest where hams in Ontario get on the air in big numbers!

Ontario stations work everybody and stations outside Ontario work Ontario hams.

We include all of the HF bands (except WARC), both SSB and CW, along with the VHF/UHF bands.

There will again be quite a number of "multi-county" mobile and rover stations operating ...along with all kinds of other stations both "big guns" and little folks!

Complete information is available at http://www.odxa.on.ca/oqphome.html

We also have a Yahoogroup where participants can discuss their contest plans. To get on the list, just send a "blank" e-mail to oqp-subscribe@yahoogroups.com or if you have a Yahoo ID just go to  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/oqp

Hope to hear everyone on the air April 17-18th

73
Bob Chandler VE3SRE
Contest Coordinator
Ontario QSO Party
ve3sre@rac.ca

===========

DX YL to North American YL Contest--CW--sponsored by YLRL from 1400Z Apr 7-0200Z Apr 9, work 24 hours max. (Phone--April 14-16) 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@tm-moore.com or WX4MM, 216 Lee Rd 343, Salem, AL 36874.

Lighthouse Spring Lites QSO Party--all modes--sponsored by the Amateur Radio Lighthouse Society from0001Z Apr 10 through 2359Z Apr 18. 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 year first licensed, name, and S/P/C. Score: 1 pt/QSO except--2 pts for ARLHS member, 3 pts for ARLHS lighthouse. For more information: http://arlhs.com  Logs due May 15 to Dave Ruch, NF0J, PO Box 20696, Bloomington, MN 55420-0696.

QRP ARCI Spring QSO Party--CW--sponsored by the QRP ARCI, from 1200Z Apr 10-2400Z Apr 11. (Same rules as Fall QSO Party, see Oct 2003 QST, p 90, or http://2hams.net/ARCI/index.htm.)

CIS DX Contest--SSB, sponsored by the Scottish-Russian ARS from 1900Z Apr 10-1900Z Apr 11 (CW Dec 5, RTTY Sep 4-5) Frequencies: 80-10 meters. Categories: SOAB and SOSB (HP, LP <100 W, QRP < 10 W), MS, MM. Exchange: RST and serial number, CIS stations send CIS region code. QSO Points: Own DXCC entity--1 pt, same continent--2 pts, different cont--3 pts, CIS stations--5 pts. Score: QSO points × CIS regions + DXCC entities on each band. For more information: www.srars.org/cisdxc.htm  Logs due 30 days after the contest to srars@srars.org or Scottish-Russian ARS, PO Box 7469, Glasgow, G42 0YD, Scotland, UK.

EU Spring Sprints--SSB: Apr 10--managed by G4BUO, CW: Apr 17--managed by I2UIY, 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 at001, 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) Paolo Cortese, I2UIY, PO Box 14, 27043 Broni (PV), Italy.

Japan International DX Contest (JIDX)--CW--sponsored by Five-Nine Magazine from0700Z Apr 10-1300Z Apr 11. (Phone--Nov 13-14) 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://je1cka.jzap.com/jidx 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 10-0359Z Apr 11 and 1400Z-2359Z Apr 11, no time limit. 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 11 to ku8e@bellsouth.net or Jeff Clarke, KU8E, 98 Mobley Ct, Hamilton, GA 31811.

Apr. 1 2004   Amateur Radio to be part of LST-325 D-Day Memorial cruise

The World War II USS LST-325 will be under way and on the air along the Eastern Seaboard during the last week in May, the entire month of June, and the first week of July. The vintage vessel plans to cruse from Mobile, Alabama, to Boston and Gloucester, Massachusetts and Alexandria, Virginia. During the D-Day memorial cruise, US Navy veterans and Navy-Marine Corps MARS operators Tom Pendarvis, W0MTP, and Perry Ballinger, W8AU, will staff the radio room operating WW2LST/mm. They also will use special event call sign W2T while in Boston Harbor June 4-14 and in the Washington, DC, area June 26-July 1. The 327-foot ship undertook a river cruise last summer. QSL with a SASE to Bob Wilder, AF2HD, 6032 Idlemoore Ct, Theodore, AL 36582-4117. The station anticipates daily operation on 20, 40 and 80 meters with check-ins to the Maritime Mobile Service Net on 14.300 MHz, the HHH Net on 7.235 MHz and the Century Club Net on 3.905 MHz. "Every effort will be made to operate AM and CW using the TCS-12 on 80 and 40 and the TDE/RAL on 160-30 meters," an announcement said. Other onboard operators will include Marty Reynolds, AA4RM; Bill Brandt, K1UFO, and Cliff Dunaway, N4SCR. In its active-duty years during WWII, LST-325 participated in the invasions of Sicily, Salerno and Normandy.

(ARRL News Service)

=========

Apr. 24 & 25  2004  QCWA Special Event

The Fred Hammond Chapter 73 of  the Quarter Century Wireless Association will be celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Chapter with a Special Event station on April 24 & 25th, 2004 1300Z to 2100Z each day.

Operation will be from the Hammond Museum of Radio using the call  VE3HC starting on the following frequencies as conditions permit.  3762.5  3890   7244   14262   21365   28325

QSL to
Hammond Museum of Radio VE3BJ
595 Southgate Dr. Guelph, ON
N1G 3W6

For more info visite their website at  www.qcwa.ca  or contact Harold VE3DWH at  ve3dwh@rac.ca

(Harold VE3DWH)

===========

Special Event station VE3BPQ

Celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the Elvis Festival In Collingwood Ontario Canada on Saturday July 24 2004. The Collingwood Elective Radio Teaching School and Collingwood Amateur Radio Club would like you to contact us on: 7.180 and 14.180 or alternate Frequencies of 3.780 and 28.360, between  8am and 6pm local time. Certificates are available by sending your QSL Card and a SASE - Prepaid 9x11 envelope to address below.

VE3BPQ
248 Birch Street
Collingwood Ontario
Canada
L9Y 2V6
Larry, VE3SPQ

=============

Peoli, OH: Tusco Radio Club, W8ZX. 1700Z-2300Z Apr 5. 1st day of baseball season, operating from Cy Young's home town. 14.275 7.250 3.925. QSL. Jim Foote, K8KSN, 3015 Larson Rd SE, Uhrichsville, OH 44683.

Schenectady, NY: Union College Amateur Radio Society, W2UC. 2300Z Apr 9-0100Z Apr 10, and Schenectady Amateur Radio Association, K2AE. 1400Z Apr 10-1800Z Apr 10. Birthday of Charles P. Steinmetz, Engineer and Professor. 28.435 7.250. QSL. George H. Williams, Steinmetz Hall 210, Union College, Schenectady, NY 12308. http://w2uc.union.edu

Outer Banks, NC: ARLHS, N4L. 1400Z-2400Z Apr 10. North Carolina Light Houses of the Outer Banks, 192 years. 21.260 14.260 7.260. Certificate. Gary Tilton, 131 Almond Tr, Pinnacle, NC 27043. http://www.n4jne.com/.

Bellevue, NE: Bellevue Amateur Radio Club, W0WYV. 1300Z Apr 10-0500Z Apr 11. Celebrating 45 years of service to Bellevue and Sarpy County. 28.345 21.345 14.245 3.945 147.39 50.125. QSL. Tom Huber, WD0BFO, 7518 Chandler Hills Dr, Bellevue, NE 68147.

Indianapolis, IN: RCA Amateur Radio Club, W9RCA. 1300Z Apr 10-2200Z Apr 11. 50th Anniversary of 1st production RCA color TV set. 28.450 21.350 14.250 7.250. QSL. RCA Amateur Radio Club, 624 Lexington Blvd, Carmel, IN 46032.

Indian Orchard, MA: Titanic Historical Society, Inc, W1MGY. 1330Z Apr 10-0527Z Apr 15. Commemorating the 92nd anniversary of the Titanic disaster. 14.260 14.033 7.260 7.033. QSL. W1MGY/Titanic Historical Society, Inc, PO Box 51053, 208 Main St, Indian Orchard, MA 01151-0053. www.titanichistoricalsociety.org

San Juan, PR: Puerto Rico Amateur Radio League, KP4ES/SKP. 1800Z Apr 11-0200Z Apr 12. 1st Puerto Rico Straight Key Party. 28.030 21.030 14.030 7.030. QSL. Puerto Rico Amateur Radio League, PO Box 191917, San Juan, PR 00919-1917. www.prarl.org/actividades.html

Apr. 1 2004  DXCC Desk approves operations for credit

The ARRL DXCC Desk has approved these operations from Myanmar (Burma) for DXCC credit: XZ1DA and XZ6ST, February 23 to March 10, 2004.

(ARRL News Service)

===========

Apr 1, 2004  ARLD013 DX news

This week's bulletin was made possible with information provided by JE2HCJ, K6CRA, NC1L, QRZ DX, the OPDX Bulletin, The Daily DX, 425DXnews, DXNL, WA7BNM and Contest Corral from QST.  Thanks to all.

TANZANIA, 5H.  Eric, SM1TDE will be QRV as 5H3/SM1TDE from April 4 to 18.  Activity will be on HF using mainly CW with some SSB and RTTY.  He may make a side trip to Zanzibar, IOTA AF-032, during his second week here.  QSL to home call.

THE GAMBIA, C5.  Jan, PA9JJ is QRV as C56JJ from the Senegambia Beach Hotel in Kololi until April 5.  Activity is mainly on 160 and 80 meters and the newer bands.  He has been active on 15 meters using RTTY around 1600 to 1900z and 20 meters around 2130z.  QSL to home call.

ANGOLA, D2.  Joao, CT1FBL and Durval, CU3BW are QRV as D2U and D2DB, respectively, from Luanda for the next six months.  They are active on most HF bands during their spare time.  QSL both calls via EA7JX.

HONDURAS, HR.  Gerard is QRV as HR5/F2JD until May 14.  Activity is on all bands using CW, SSB and RTTY.  QSL via F6AJA.

MINAMI TORISHIMA, JD1.  Club station JD1YBJ has been QRV on 160 meters around 1100z.  QSL via operator's instructions.

AMERICAN SAMOA, KH8.  KH8/DL1VKE and KH8/DF2SS are QRV until April 10 and are active on all HF bands using CW, SSB and RTTY.  QSL both calls via DL2MDZ.

LUXEMBOURG, LX.  Stations SP5HNK, SP5MBQ, SP5UAF, SQ5IRO, SP6T, SP7NJX and SP7VC are active as LX/homecalls from Wiltz until April 6. Activity is on 160 to 2 meters using CW, SSB, RTTY and possibly PSK31 and SSTV.  QSL to home calls.  They also plan to be QRV as LX5A in the SP DX Contest.  QSL via LX bureau.

SUDAN, ST.  Magid, ST2M has been QRV on 20 meters around 0500 to 0600z.  QSL direct.

BANABA ISLAND, T33.  The international team of over 21 operators will be QRV as T33C from April 4 to 16.  Activity will be on all bands and modes.  QSL via F5CWU.

BENIN, TY.  Romano, TY5ZR has been QRV on 20 meters CW between 0630 and 0730z.  QSL direct.

LORD HOWE ISLAND, VK9L.  Skip, JE2HCJ is QRV as VK9LU until April 9. Activity is on 160 to 6 meters using mostly CW.  QSL to home call.

CHAGOS ISLAND, VQ9.  Larry, VQ9LA will try to be QRV on 40 meters running split around 2350z, work schedule permitting.  QSL via operator's instructions.

CHATHAM ISLAND, ZL7.  Franz, DK1II and Dom, DL5EBE will be QRV as ZL2III/7 and ZL7/DL5EBE, respectively, from April 7 to 14.  They plan to be active on all bands using mainly CW and SSB with some RTTY and PSK31.  They will also be QRV with special callsign ZL7II. QSL via DL5EBE.

PRINCE EDWARD AND MARION ISLANDS, ZS8.  Look for ZS8MI to be QRV from April 7 to 30.  Activity will be on 80 to 10 meters using CW and SSB.  QSL direct via ZS6M.

The following operations are approved for DXCC credit:  XZ1DA and XZ6ST, from February 23 to March 10, 2004.

THIS WEEKEND ON THE RADIO.  The SARL 80-Meter QSO Party, SP DX Contest, EA RTTY Contest, Montana QSO Party, VHF Spring Sprints, Missouri QSO Party and the 48th Annual QCWA QSO Party are all scheduled for this weekend.  The YLRL DX to NA YL CW Contest is scheduled for April 7 to 10.  Please see April QST, page 106 and the ARRL and WA7BNM contest websites for details.

(W1AW)

============

Mar. 27 2004  425 DX News

5H === Eric, SM1TDE will operate (mainly CW with some RTTY and SSB) as 5H3/SM1TDE from Tanzania on 4-18 April. A side trip to Zanzibar (AF-032) might take place during the second week. QSL via home call, direct or bureau. [TNX SM1TDE]

9N === 9N7PR is the call issued to Jim, W4PRO for his 10-13 April operation from Nepal  [425DXN 672].  Jim is currently active as A52PRO from Bhutan. QSLs via home call. [TNX The Daily DX]

C6 === Apparently the C6DX operation from the Cay Sal Banks (NA-219), which was expected to start on 25  March, has been cancelled. On 24 March the operators (W8GEX, K8LEE,  K9AJ and W9IXX) were still in Bimini and, according to  the  information posted on their web site (http://www.wb8xx.com/c6dx2004.htm), it did not "look like they'll attempt the trip south to Cay Sal" because of strong winds and rough seas ("the captain didn't think they'd even be able to land once they got there").

CU === Look for Arlindo, CT1EGW to operate mainly RTTY as CT1EGW/CU2 from Sao Miguel Island (EU-003), Azores on 7-11 April. QSL via home call, direct or bureau. [TNX CT1END]

FK === Masayoshi, JF1UIO will operate as FK/JF1UIO from the Loyalty Islands (OC-033) in May. Look for activity 10-40  metres CW and SSB from Ouvea (DIFO FK-018) on 2-4 May and from Lifou (DIFO FK-012) on  4-7 May. QSl via home call, direct or bureau. [TNX JI6KVR]

GM === Carlos,  EA1CRK  (http://www.qsl.net/ea1crk/escocia/trip.htm) will operate (on 20 and 40 metres "holiday style") as MM/EA1CRK from the islands of Skye (EU-008), Orkney (EU-009)  and Shetland (EU-012) on10-20 July. QSL via home call, bureau or direct. [TNX EA1CRK]

I === Alberto, IT9MRM will be on Favignana (EU-054,  IIA TP-001) from 15 UTC on 31 March to 14 UTC on 1 April and plans to operate (mainly on 20 and 15  metres SSB) as IF9/IT9MRM from the lighthouse at Punta Sottile (WAIL SI-024, ARLHS ITA-145). QSL via home call, direct or bureau. Logs will be available at http://www.qsl.net/it9mrm/index.html [TNX IT9MRM]

I === Eight ARI  Formia (ariformia@tiscali.it) members  (IZ0EGC, IZ0EWG, IZ0FIU, IZ0GZW,  IK0JFS,  IK0NWG,  IW0BTN  and  IW0DTK) plus guest operator Rick, N6CY will be active on several bands and modes as IQ0FM/p from Monte Orlando Lighthouse  (WAIL LA-006, ARLHS  ITA-105) on 3 April. QSL direct to IZ0EGC or to ARI Formia, P.O.Box 33, 04023 Formia - LT, Italy. [TNX IZ0EGC]

JA === Look for Samy, JR8KJR to operate  (on 15-80 metres SSB and SSTV) as JR8KJR/8 from  Rishiri Island  (AS-147,  JIIA AS-147-007) on 26-31 March. QSL via home call, direct or bureau. [TNX JI6KVR]

LX === SP5HNK, SP5MBQ,  SP5UAF,  SQ5IRO, SP6T, SP7NJX and SP7VC will be active as LX/homecall from Luxembourg on 1-6 April. They plan to operate on 160-2 metres CW,  SSB, RTTY and possibly also PSK31 and SSTV. QSL via home calls. They will participate in the SP DX Contest as LX5A (QSL via the LX bureau). [TNX SP5UAF]

SP === Special event station HF1EU will be aired from 23 April through 31 May to celebrate the accession of Poland to the European Union. QSL via SP1NQF, direct or bureau. [TNX SP1NQF]

V3 === Alan, WQ5W will operate as V31RR from Placencia,  Belize on 22-29 April. He will be active on 160-6 metres  CW, SSB,  RTTY, PSK  and WSJT, with an emphasis on the WARC bands (mostly on CW) and digital modes. Alan will  have a  dedicated radio listening constantly for openings on 6 metres; meteor scatter via WSJT will also be attempted and schedules can be set up prior to the expedition by e-mailing Alan at v31rr@hotmail.com. QSL  via WQ5W (logs  will be uploaded  to LOTW).  Further information  and updates can be found at http://www.qsl.net/v31rr [TNX WQ5W]

VK9_lh === Skip, JE2HCJ will operate as VK9LU from Lord Howe (OC-004) from 31 March to 9 April. Look for  activity on 160-6  metres, mainly on CW and the low bands. QSL via home call. [TNX The Daily DX]

T33 === The all-band all-mode T33C DXpedition to Banaba Island is expected to take place between 4 and 16 April. QSL via F5CWU (Flo Moudar,  25 Rue du Castel  Salis, 37100  Tours, France). The web site for the operation is at http://www.dx-pedition.de/banaba2004

YI === Kaspars, YI9ZF (YL1ZF)  will participate in the CQ WPX  SSB and  DX contests HN0Z (SOAB lo Power) from  Baghdad, Iraq.  QSL route TBA. [TNX SM1TDE]

ZD8 === Ian, ZD8I (home call G8WVW) will be living on Ascension Island until the end of March 2006 and plans to operate on 80-6 metres SSB. QSL via G4LTI. Further information at  http://www.zd8i.net [TNX  OPDX Bulletin]

ZL7 === Franz, ZL2III (DK1II) and Dom, DL5EBE will be active as ZL2III/7 and ZL7/DL5EBE from Chatham Island (OC-038) from 7 April (arrival) until the 14th (departure). They plan to be operate on all bands, mainly CW and SSB with some PSK31 and RTTY. They have also applied for a special call sign, which will be announced after it is granted. QSL via DL5EBE (Dominik Weiel,  Johannes-Meyer-Str. 13, D-49808  Lingen, Germany). [TNX DL5EBE and ZL2III]

ZS8 === Owing to an unfortunate case of  cut and mispaste, the CW operating frequencies for the 7-30 April  ZS8MI activity  from Marion  Island [425DXN 672] were wrong. The correct QRGs are 3505, 7010, 14020, 21025, 28060 kHz for CW, and 3750, 7080, 14195, 21295, 28495 kHz for SSB. Many thanks to Bob, W6KX for detecting the error.

CARIBBEAN TOUR === Koh/JA1ADT (JA7KAC),  Taka/JA7AGO and Aki/JA7ZP will attend the Caribbean Hamboree [425DXN 667] that will be held on 9-14 April in Martinique; they will operate as FM/homecall  on 80-10 metres all modes.  QSL via home calls. Then they will visit Antigua (V2) on 15-20 April, and will operate on all bands and modes (callsigns  not known  so far,  but QSL  via homecalls). [TNX JA7KAC]

GOOD TO KNOW  (Edited by  I1JQJ & IK1ADH)

3B9C === Operations from Rodrigues started on seven bands at 20 UTC on 19 March, and 12,000 QSOs were made during the first 24 hours. The  DXpedition's website (http://www.fsdxa.com/3b9c/)  is being updated daily and includes pictures, on-line logs, daily bulletins, etc.  QSL direct to FSDXA, P.O.  Box 73, Church Stretton, SY6  6WF, UK or  through the RSGB  bureau (a for  bureau cards requests can be found on the website).

DXCC NEWS ==== 5X1X (11 November - 17 december 2003) from Uganda, XU7ACY from Cambodia (February  2004) and  5V7C (5-13  March 2004)  from Togo have been approved for DXCC credit.

EU SPRINT CONTESTS === The two Spring events will be held on 20, 40 and  80 metres only from 15.00 UTC until 18.59  UTC on 10 April (Spring SSB,  managed by G4BUO) and  17 April (Spring  CW, managed  by I2UIY).  Full details  (free software included) can be found at http://www.qsl.net/eusprint

GACW DX CONTEST ==== This year's event will be held on 17-18 April.  Full rules can be found at http://gacw.no-ip.org [TNX LU6EF]

QSL 9V1GO === Gustab, OK1DOT reports  he is the  new QSL  manager for  Bob, 9V1GO. Cards can be sent either direct (Petr Gustab, P.O.Box 52, Cesky  Brod, 282 01 Czech Republic) or through the bureau.

QSL VIA  IV3NVN ==== On  24  March  Simone,  IV3NVN replied to the last outstanding direct cards for J5UCW, J5UDX,  ZY5X and ZW5T  (there are still some 50 requests that arrived without return postage). If you do not receive your card(s), please contact Simone at either iv3nvn@50mhz.com or s.candotto@hamburg.de before sending second requests. [TNX IV3NVN]

QSL VIA PA3GIO === A form for requesting bureau cards is available on the QSL Information page at either http://www.pa3gio.nl/ and http://www.qsl.net/pa3gio/; please visit it also for details about direct QSLling. [TNX PA3GIO]

QUEBEC  QSO  PARTY === Radio Amateurs du Quebec Inc., the provincial organization of amateur radio operators, has announced the creation of the Quebec QSO Party,  which is held every summer on the Saturday immediately preceding 24 June. This year's event will take place from 17 UTC on 19 June to 3 UTC on the 20th. Rules and other related information  can be found at http://www.raqi.ca/qqp,  or from  Guy Lamoureux, VE2LGL (directeur.general@raqi.ca) and Luc Dore, VA2KSH  (va2ksh@raqi.ca).  [TNX VA2KSH]

SP DX CONTEST === Organized by the the Polish Amateur  Radio Union (PZK, http://www.pzk.org.pl) and the SP DX Club, this year's event will be held (on 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10 metres SSB and CW, 12 categories including SWLs) from 15 UTC  on 3 April  through 15  UTC on the 4th. Full details, new rules included, can be found at http://www.contest.spdxc.org.pl/ [TNX SP5XVY]

YLRC CONTEST === The  YLRC (YL Radio  Club) "Elettra Marconi"  International Contest will be held from 13  UTC on 3 April through 13  UTC on the 4th.  For further information please visit http://www.arrl.it/ylrci/index.htm or e-mail Adriana, IK5MEQ (adrianap@tin.it).

SILENT KEYS === We have  been informed recently of the passing of Ivo,  9A5I and Luciano, I1NLU (licenced since 1974, he was a co-founder of ARI Rosta and the Turin North Western DX Club). [TNX 9A2WJ and I1HAG]

============

Apr 1 - 7 , 2004   I.C.P.O. Bulletin Islands, Castles & Portable Operations - I.C.P.O.

01/04/2004:  Jun, OE1ZKC/JH4RHF, will be on the air from Mauritius (AF-049) on his way to/back from the 3B9C DXpedition, April 1st to 3rd. His callsign will be decided upon arrival. He will operate from 3B8CF's shack. Jun will probably be on 40 through 10 meter SSB, CW, RTTY and SSTV on request. QSL via OE1ZKC. [Tnx OPDX]

01/04/2004:  A Hungarian DXpedition will be active from Masescha, Liechtenstein (1350m ASL), between April 1st and 8th. Activity is planned for 160 through 10 meters (including the WARC bands), mostly CW with some SSB. Operators HA5AUC (Pista), HA5BWW (Ed), HA5OJ (Pisti) and HA7PC (Karcsi) will sign HB0/homecall/P. QSL via their home callsigns (bureau is OK). ADDED NOTE: Also, look for them on 144 and 432 MHz, with the callsign HB0/HA5KHC/P, on the CW and SSB modes. QSL via HA5KHC, Bureau is OK. [Tnx OPDX]

01/04/2004:  Jean-Marc, F5SGI, will be QRV, hopefully as TM6ILE, from Groix Island (EU-048, DIFM AT-012) between April 11th and 18th. Activity will be on 80 through 10 meter CW only. QSL via home call (but contacts will be confirmed automatically via the bureau). [Tnx 425DXN]

03/04/2004:  Francois, F5JNE, and Claude, F5MCC, will be QRV April 3rd as F5JNE/p from the Castle Crogny (DFCF 10008, DDCF 1007, Ten millions Zip Code: Les Loges Margueron, CP 10210, Dept. 10, Province of Champagne-Ardennes). Activity will be on 40 meter CW starting around 06:00 UTC and then SSB around 07:00/07:30 UTC. As usually QSL via the bureau or direct and SWL cards welcome. [Tnx F5NQL]

03/04/2004:  Eight members from ARI Formia (IZ0EGC, IZ0EWG, IZ0FIU, IZ0GZW, IK0JFS, IK0NWG, IW0BTN and IW0DTK) plus guest operator Rick, N6CY will be active on several bands and modes as IQ0FM/p from Monte Orlando Lighthouse (WAIL LA-006, ARLHS ITA-105) April 3rd. QSL direct to IZ0EGC or to ARI Formia, P.O.Box 33, 04023 Formia - LT, Italy. [Tnx 425DXN]

04/04/2004:  Eric, SM1TDE will be QRV April 4th to 18th as 5H3/SM1TDE from Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. He plans to operate barefoot mainly CW on the WARC bands, with some RTTY and a little SSB on the other bands as well. There might be a side trip to Zanzibar (AF-032) during the second week. QSL via SM1TDE, direct or bureau. [Tnx 425DXN]

04/04/2004:  Leon, ON5ZD, will be vacationning for several days starting April 3rd in the Britton departments of the Cotes d'Armor (DDFM 22) and Ille et Villaine (DDFM 35). Look for him to be QRV April 4th, with Yves, F5CBU, as F/ON5ZD/p from the Lehon Castle (DFCF 22014, DDCF 2207, Ten millions zip code 22100, Dept. 22, Province of Brittany). Activity will begin at approximately 06:30 UTC. QSL via home call, direct or bureau. [Tnx F5NQL]

04/04/2004:  Francois, F8DVD, will be QRV April 4th to 10th, on 80 through 10 meters, as JW/F8DVD from Longyearbyen (EU-026), Svalbard. To give a chance to QRP stations to contact JW, Francois will try as often as possible to call by numbers. QRP stations will not forget to send QRP behind their callsign. QSL via home call, direct (Francois Bergez, 6 rue de la Liberte, 71000 Macon, France) or bureau. [Tnx 425DXN]

04/04/2004:  An international team of 20 well-known operators will be active as T33C from Banaba Island (OC-018) during the first two weeks of April, 2004. Six HF stations, three on CW and three on SSB, plus a separate 6m station and separate HF digital mode station are planned, with at least six high power amplifiers. They will be active from 160 through 6 meter CW, SSB, RTTY, PSK and some SSTV. If sufficient interest in satellite contacts is generated, this may be added. QSL via F5CWU, either direct (Flo Moudar, 25 Rue du Castel Salis, 37100 Tours, France) or through the REF bureau. [Tnx T33C web site]

07/04/2004:  Look for Arlindo, CT1EGW to operate mainly RTTY as CT1EGW/CU2 from Sao Miguel Island (EU-003), Azores, between April 7th and 11th. QSL via home call, direct or bureau. [Tnx 425DXN]

07/04/2004:  Look for Franz, ZL2III (DK1II), and Dom, DL5EBE, to be QRV April 7th to 14th from Chatham Island (OC-038) as ZL2III/7 and ZL7/DL5EBE. They plan to be operate on all bands, mainly CW and SSB with some PSK31 and RTTY. They have also applied for a special call sign, which will be announced after it is granted. QSL via DL5EBE (Dominik Weiel, Johannes-Meyer-Str. 13, D-49808 Lingen, Germany). [Tnx 425DXN]

07/04/2004:  Ludwig Combrinck (ZS6WLC) and Pieter Stronkhorst (ZR6PSR), two staff members of the Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory Space Geodesy Programme, will conduct a scientific expedition to from Marion Island (AF-021) in April. They will depart on April 1st and, depending on offloading of equipment and other work load, amateur radio operations as ZS8MI will commence on the 7th until around the 30th. Plans are to operate SSB (3750, 7080, 14195, 21295, 28495 kHz) and 15 wpm CW (3505, 7010, 14020, 21025, 28060 kHz). They expect to leave the island on 2 May. QSL via ZS6M (Bernardus Roode, P.O. Box 158, Kempton Park 1620, South Africa). [Tnx 425DXN]

73 and Good Hunting!
Dave Raycroft - VA3RJ

Home of ICPO: www.qsl.net/va3rj
Mirror: http://webhome.idirect.com/~va3rj
Join ICPO e-Group:  www.qsl.net/va3rj/icpo.html
E-mail: va3rj@rac.ca

===============

Note: A complete list of  Prefixes assigned by International Telecommunications Union can be found on the Trans Provincial Website: www.tpn7055.ca/callsign.html

Apr. 2 2004   W1AW/90 Operates Through 2004

Hiram Maxim Memorial Station W1AW at ARRL Headquarters will identify using a "/90" designator through the end of 2004. The W1AW/90 call sign reflects the 90th anniversary of the League's founding by Maxim and Clarence Tuska in 1914. Operation as W1AW/90 begins April 3. W1AW Station Manager Joe Carcia, NJ1Q, said he'll encourage guest operators to use as many modes as possible, including RTTY, PSK31, satellite and even Hellschreiber.

"Plus, we're going to try for SSTV Worked All States (WAS)," he added. "It'll be tough, but we can do it." A special 90th anniversary QSL cards will be available for W1AW/90 contacts.

Self-addressed, stamped return envelopes should accompany all QSL requests. In addition, all contacts with W1AW/90 will also be uploaded to Logbook of The World www.arrl.org/lotw. For more information on W1AW, visit the W1AW Web page www.arrl.org/w1aw.html .

(ARRL Newsletter)

==========

Apr. 1 2004  New Mexico club's new call sign reclaims local ham history

The Socorro Amateur Radio Association (SARA) in New Mexico has reclaimed a piece of the community's ham radio history. On March 19, the FCC granted SARS's request to change its club call sign from KC5OLJ to W5AQA--the first call sign ever assigned to a Socorro resident. "Our organization is proud to put this historic call sign back on the air from Socorro," said SARA President Ed Wood, who added that W5AQA would be used to identify the club's repeaters. W5AQA was held by Donald M. Cook, a student at New Mexico Tech (then the New Mexico School of Mines), and it appears in a 1931 US Government listing of amateur licensees. The same publication shows Cook and Clark E. Rodenberg, W5BSP, also a student, as the only hams in Socorro. Both graduated in 1934, so presumably they arrived in Socorro in the fall of 1930--extending the city's Amateur Radio history back nearly three-quarters of a century. According to New Mexico Tech, Cook now is deceased. The recycled W5AQA call sign also will be put to use by SARA during Field Day June 26-27 and for other events. Last year SARA began a project to collect information about the history of Amateur Radio in Socorro, and the information about Socorro's first ham radio call sign was a result of that effort:  www.ees.nmt.edu/sara/homepage.html

(ARRL News Service)

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