World Amateur Radio Day 2005 is Monday, April 18 (Apr 15, 2005)
(ARRL News Service)
IARU-R1 Calls Attention to Language in European BPL Recommendation (Apr 14, 2005)
"National authorities have an objective to promote competition in the provision of electronic communications networks which include power line communications networks," the Commission Recommendation states. "They should thus remove any unjustified regulatory obstacles, in particular on utility companies, to deploy and operate electronic communications networks over their power lines." IARU Region 1 European Commission Working Group Chairman Gaston Bertels, ON4WF, says an EC Recommendation is "less compulsory" than a Directive. "If a member state wishes not to follow such a Recommendation, it can do so, provided a justifiable refusal be addressed to the European Commission and to all the member states," he explained in the April 13 edition of the IARU-R1 EUROCOM Newsletter. According to Bertels, during Communications Commission (COCOM) discussions on the draft Recommendation, some member states expressed reluctance to include the statement that member states "should take into account economic and social aspects of the services involved" when taking "proportionate" measures to resolve interference from PLC systems. "It is quite possible that they will address a declaration to the Commission to justify that they will refuse to let a legally authorized radio service be sacrificed in favor of broadband through power lines," Bertels said, "even 'taking into account economic and social aspects.'" Bertels noted that the EC already has rejected IARU-R1 assertions that the Recommendation--at the time still in draft form but approved by the COCOM--would constitute a breach of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Radio Regulations, which have the force of a treaty. The EC said it did not view the Recommendation as incompatible with the ITU insofar as "the objective of the normative measures is to protect radiocommunications by solving interference problems." The Recommendation says that if interference from a PLC system cannot be resolved, "competent authorities" should verify that the system complies with the European Commission's electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) Directive. "If non-compliance is identified, the competent authorities should impose proportionate, non-discriminatory and transparent enforcement measures to bring the system into compliance," the Recommendation states. If the system is deemed compliant but is still causing interference, the Recommendation continues, competent authorities in member states "should take special measures" to resolve it, taking into account the system's economic and social benefits in the process. It suggested "notching" as one possible solution. Bertels urged IARU delegates of European Community member societies "to report on any information concerning the position adopted by their governments and regulatory authorities relative to the Commission Recommendation." In filings with the FCC, the ARRL this month challenged the notion put forward by some BPL proponents and the FCC that a balancing test exists between BPL's purported public benefits and its potential to interfere with licensed services. "There is no balancing to be done in the case of compatibility between unlicensed devices and licensed radio services," the ARRL asserted April 1. The remark was contained in a Reply to Oppositions filing in the FCC BPL proceeding. (ARRL News Service)
RSGB International Exam becomming
Standard (Apr. 15 2005)
The idea is to get the examination accepted as a world-wide standard in countries that do not run their own examination for the Amateur Radio service. (RSGB) (ARNewsLine)
Intervention by RSGB Wins Reprieve in UK Deregulation Spat ( Apr 13, 2005 )
"Ofcom have assured us that deregulation is not an option that they are considering at the present time or in the future," Kirby told ARRL, adding that he remains unconvinced. "Deregulation of Amateur Radio has appeared in three separate Ofcom documents in the last four months. I think they speak with forked tongue!" The RSGB has expressed concerns that Ofcom is planning to propose a free lifetime license for radio amateurs to entice them into accepting general deregulation down the road. An RSGB delegation that included RSGB President Jeff Smith, MI0AEX, and Kirby met with Ofcom officials March 24. Ofcom Deputy Chairman Richard Hooper chaired the session, and the Ofcom Board had been set to review and approve the consultation document April 5. The RSGB says it also hopes that Hooper's announced departure by year's end will not affect Ofcom's thinking on the issue. The Society says it was encouraged by Hooper's personal assurances that the deregulation of Amateur Radio was not on Ofcom's agenda. The Society says an earlier draft of the consultation document stated that Ofcom was proposing to reform Amateur Radio licensing to reduce the regulatory burden on radio users. The RSGB has vowed to fight any moves to deregulate Amateur Radio in part because that would altogether eliminate training, examinations and the need to get a license or a call sign. In such a deregulated environment, the RSGB maintains, anyone could buy radio gear and operate on the ham bands, leading to widespread interference problems. Perhaps most important, the Society says, deregulation would disenfranchise UK amateurs from the rest of the Amateur Radio world. "The RSGB agrees that the Amateur Service in the United Kingdom is over-regulated but strongly believes deregulation is not the answer," the Society said in a statement following the March 24 meeting with Ofcom. The Society said Amateur Radio Service has been a breeding ground for technical innovation and development. "To deregulate would be to amputate the hand that feeds industry with those needed engineers and scientists," it concluded. The RSGB says the best option would be a renewable five-year license. It's also indicated to Ofcom that it's willing to take on the role of issuing amateur licenses and assuming the administrative costs and burden of doing so. ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ, has said the level of deregulation the RSGB fears would fly in the face of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Radio Regulations, which oblige administrations to license radio stations--including amateur stations--and to verify the operational and technical qualifications of amateur operators. (ARRL News Service)
Amateur Radio part of VK Amber Alert System (Apr. 15 2005)
(ARNewsLine)
Cypress gets expanded 40 Metre Band (Apr. 15 2005) Hams in Cypress have been given more spectrum on 40 meters. This, with word that Cypriot amateurs may now use 7.100 to 7.200 MHz in addition to7.000 to 7.100 MHz they already had. With this action, amateurs in Cypress join those in the UK, Ireland, Croatia, Switzerland, Norway, Denmark, San Marino and Iceland who already have access to 7.100 to 7.200 MHz. The expansion of the 40 meter band is included in the Cyprus Department of Electronic Communications National Frequency Plan which has been posted on the Internet at www.tinyurl.com/528wx. Its in Adobe pdf file format. (GB2RS) (ARNewsLine)
Norweigan Club Stations get 5MHz (Apr. 15 2005) Norway has granted club operations access to a number of 'channels' on 5 MHz. effective at midnight Norwegian time on the 1st of April. At least two Norwegian stations were active from the outset. They are LA2AB near Oslo and LA1K in Trondheim. The LA2AB operators had a good opening night. They worked two other Norwegian stations, five stations from the USA and numerous operators across the U-K. Eighteen club stations in Finland also have special licenses to operate on 5 MHz frequencies. (GB2RS) (ARNewsLine)
International Marconi Day
(Apr. 23 2005)
International Marconi Day is usually held on the Saturday closest to Marconi's birthday, when amateur radio stations are established and operated from or near original historic sites. This year, the event will take place on the 23rd of April. These stations are known as the 'Award Stations' and are listed on the IMD Web Site. The list is regularly updated as the various stations confirm their availability to operate. For more information visit:gb4imd.co.uk
Apr. 15 2005 Tad Cook K7RA Solar Update
I noticed on the web site for the Western Washington DX Club www.wwdxc.org a number of links to presentations from past club meetings, either on technical topics or DXpeditions. One of interest to readers is a PDF of the K9LA talk on 160-meter propagation at last summer's Northwest DX Convention. It is on the main www.wwdxc.org page, and if you don't know how to open a PDF, send me an email. This is a very interesting tutorial on several aspects of 160-meter propagation, and examines the notion that this band is better during the sunspot minimum. 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 April 7 through 13 were 49, 56, 43, 42, 17, 32 and 45 with a mean of 40.6. 10.7 cm flux was 87.8, 87.7, 88.4, 88.3, 87.5, 84.9 and 83.5, with a mean of 86.9. Estimated planetary A indices were 8, 4, 4, 4, 10, 30 and 26 with a mean of 12.3. Estimated mid-latitude A indices were 4, 2, 2, 2, 6, 23 and 18, with a mean of 8.1. (ARRL News Service)
Europe Apr. 16 2005 Solar and propagation
report,
Once again solar flare activity has been low or very low, with only a couple of smallish C-class flares over the entire week. The solar flux barely changed, ranging between 84 and 88, averaging 86 units. The 90-day average shed two points to 94. The X-ray flux showed rather more variation but at A5.1 the average was little changed. The geomagnetic field was more volatile. Last weekend it was very quiet, with an Ap reading of only 4 units. However, a disturbance arising from a high speed coronal stream reached Earth during the 11th and the index for the 12th rose to 30. Active levels were sustained until the stream subsided in the course of the 15th. Solar wind speeds recorded by the ACE spacecraft rose from 294km/sec on the 9th to 652km/sec on the 13th but have since subsided. That combination of the midweek disturbance and lower-than-expected solar flux was bad news for HF operators. 24 and 28MHz were poor, though 14 and 18MHz remained in reasonable shape and there were some good spells on 21MHz. Sometimes disturbances that bring misery to the HF bands produce good aurora for VHF operators. Not so this week. Auroral events were reported on the 11th, 12th, 13th and 14th but were confined to high latitudes and favoured North America rather than Europe. The coming week seems unlikely to bring much change. Flare activity is again likely to be low or very low and the solar flux seems set to edge downwards, possibly into the 70s. The geomagnetic field will initially be quiet-to-unsettled but coronal hole effects from around the 18th will bring more active levels and a possibility of high-latitude aurora. The second half of the week should be quieter. MUFs at equal latitudes should be about 20MHz in the south and 17MHz in the north. Darkness hour lows will remain about 10MHz. Paths to the Middle East will have a maximum usable frequency, that's a fifty percent of success, of around 21MHz. The optimum working frequency, at which there should be openings practically daily, will be about 18MHz. The path will be best between 1000 and 1800UTC. A reminder that, although it is still a little early, the sporadic-E season will soon be upon us. There is no set date for the season to start. Last year it got off to a slow start and it did not really take off until the end of May. But every year is different and there is no way of telling whether this will be a poor season or a bumper one. At all events it is worth keeping an on 28MHz for signs of it starting, with 50 and 70MHz openings following later.. Report prepared by Neil Clarke, G0CAS, and Martin Harrison, G3USF.
School Community Cooperation, Student Activities Enhance Space QSO Experience (Apr 13, 2005)
(ARRL News Service)
Three radio amateurs on their
way to International Space Station (Apr 15, 2005)
This will mark Krikalev's second ISS duty tour; he was part of the very first ISS crew. With Krikalev at the controls, the Soyuz is on course to dock with the ISS at 0219 UTC Sunday, April 17. The hatches between the Soyuz and the space station will open a few hours later, permitting the three travelers to board the ISS. Krikalev and Phillips will stay aboard the ISS until October. Vittori will spend eight days on the ISS conducting experiments before heading back to Earth April 24 with Expedition 10 crew members Commander Leroy Chiao, KE5BRW, and Flight Engineer Salizhan Sharipov. Vittori also is scheduled to handle two Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contacts with schools in Italy. The Expedition 10 crew has been doing research and maintaining the orbiting laboratory since October. Chiao also has conducted about two dozen ARISS school group contacts during his duty tour; his final school contact from NA1SS is set for April 15. The Expedition 11 crew of Krikalev and Phillips will have the honor of welcoming the crew of the space shuttle Discovery during the "Return to Flight" mission (STS-114), planned for May. By the time Krikalev's Expedition 11 stay is over, he'll have spent more time in space than any other human. [NASA Photo] (L-R) Roberto Vittori, IZ6ERU, Sergei Krikalev, U5MIR, and John Phillips, KE5DRY. (ARRL News Service)
NASA Puts Space Shuttle External
Tank to Test (Apr. 14 2005)
The test allowed crews to evaluate the overall operation of ground systems in preparation for launch of Discovery's Return to Flight mission (STS-114) planned for next month. "With the completion of this tanking test, NASA is one step closer to returning the Space Shuttle fleet to flight," said Michael Kostelnik, NASA's deputy associate administrator for International Space Station and Space Shuttle Programs. "Although we have further milestones to complete before we fly, we are proud of the technical advancements we have made the last two years to ensure a safe mission," he said. The tanking test consisted of ground crews at KSC filling the ET with liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen fuel to evaluate how the Shuttle, tank, Solid Rocket Boosters and ground systems performed when the tank was filled with two super-cold propellants. During the test, NASA's ice/debris team thoroughly inspected the fueled tank looking for frost and ice buildup. Although ice is expected to form on the ET, the team has strengthened its inspection criteria based on results from tests performed at several NASA centers and other research facilities. "This test provides another data point for us to consider," said Neil Otte, chief engineer for the External Tank Project Office at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Ala. "The information we gain will give us added confidence in the tank," he added. The tanking test is not required by NASA to certify redesigns made on the ET. It's done to demonstrate the effectiveness of the redesigned tank bipod heater system. It replaced the original bipod ramp design, which had foam on it. Today's test also checked out the new "drip-lip" design that's intended to reduce the potential for ice accumulation on the joints that allow the tank's fuel line to adjust. Eight similar tests have been conducted. Seven of those tests were performed from 1981 to 1983, the first three years of the Shuttle program. The first super-lightweight ET was tested prior to its flight on STS-91 in June 1998. There have also been seven flight readiness firings that included tanking and firing the main engines. During launch, the ET delivers 535,000 gallons of liquid hydrogen and oxygen propellants to the three Space Shuttle Main Engines. The ET is the only component that cannot be reused. It is covered by polyurethane-like foam that insulates the propellants, keeps ice from forming on the exterior and protects its aluminum skin from aerodynamic heat during ascent. Photos of the tanking test are available on the Web, at: http://mediaarchive.ksc.nasa.gov/index.cfm Video and sound bites from the test will feed on NASA TV available on the Web and via satellite in the continental U.S. on AMC-6, Transponder 9C, C-Band, at 72 degrees west longitude. The frequency is 3880.0 MHz. Polarization is vertical, and audio is monaural at 6.80 MHz. It's available in Alaska and Hawaii on AMC-7, Transponder 18C, C-Band, at 137 degrees west longitude. The frequency is 4060.0 MHz. Polarization is vertical, and audio is monaural at 6.80 MHz. For NASA TV information on the Web, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/ntv For the latest information on NASA's Return to Flight efforts, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/returntoflight (SpaceRef.com)
ABC to Relaunch Digital Service (Apr. 15 2005) ABC News says it will re-launch its 24-hour a day video on demand digital T-V news operation ABC News Now" in July. ABC will offer up to 50 hours of video on demand per month with the redesigned service "ABC News Now" was launched at the political conventions last summer and continued through January. It was available in a little more than six million of the nation's nearly 110 million television homes. But in July, the network will be starting from scratch with its ten owned stations contributing local programming to the service. The network says it will also continue to make "A-B-C News Now" available through the Internet and wireless devices. So far, one of its most popular pieces of video on demand was Ashlee Simpson's halftime performance at the Orange Bowl. (Press release) (ARNewsLine)
Walter Cronkite, KB2GSD, to be Honored by NY POPS (Apr. 15 2005) Stars of theater and television will join with the New York Pops orchestra to honor veteran newsman Walter Cronkite, KB2GSD along with music industry leader Clive Davis, and philanthropist Mrs. Samuel J. Lefrak. The event marks the New York Pops 22nd birthday while also paying tribute to the late, great Broadway composer Cy Coleman. Joining maestro Skitch Henderson and the orchestra will be American Idol winner Fantasia Barrino, along with Broadway greats Marin Mazzie, Jason Danieley, Sutton Foster, Heather Headley, Michele Lee, Maureen McGovern, Kitty Carlisle Hart, and Bucky Pizzarelli, his son John, and John's wife Jessica Molaskey. Hosted by Liz Smith, the gala concert, titled Two by Two, will take place at Carnegie Hall on Monday, May 9 at 7pm. More information is on- line at www.carnagiehall.com (Press release) (ARNewsLine)
Computerized Parking Tickets (Apr. 15 2005) The next time you get a parking ticket, don't be surprised if the officer is writing it on a handheld computer. This is the latest trend in technology that is fast becoming popular among police departments nationally. Officers reportedly like the mobile code enforcement devices because they increase accuracy and efficiency. And they are very durable with the ability to work in rain and snow or if dropped to the road. The devices also make it easier for officers to write tickets without making errors. Tickets with errors or that are illegible are a major reason why people beating the system. Handheld computers also allow officers to record information in an investigation, which is then sent to a centralized source so that an entire department can share the information in real time. That means police on the street can be on the same page as those behind the scenes. (Broadcast Remailer) (ARNewsLine)
New Repeater Tech Forum (Apr. 15 2005) If you are into repeaters and want to know more, listen up. M1FJB over in the United Kingdom has created a forum for anyone who is involved with the technical side of amateur repeaters. There already has been a wealth of useful information exchanged and he hopes that more people will be interested in joining. Full details of how to join are on the website at http://repeaters.t28.net (VHF Reflector) (ARNewsLine)
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)
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. 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. Florida QSO Party--sponsored by the Florida Contest Group from 1600Z Apr 23-0159Z Apr 24 and 1200Z-2159Z Apr 24, 20 hours max, work FL stations. Frequencies (MHz): CW--35 kHz from band edges, Phone--7.260, 14.260, 21.335, and 28.485, no 160 or 80 meters, VHF/UHF. Categories: SO, MS, MM (one signal per band), Mobile (SO and SO+driver), School Club, SWL, all categories HP (<150 W), LP, or QRP (<5 W) and Mixed Mode/CW/SSB (except MM and SWL). Exchange: RST and FL county or S/P/C. QSO points: CW--2 pts, SSB--1 pt. Score: FL stations--QSO points × S/P/C (W/VE/KH6/KL7 do not count as DXCC entities) × power multiplier; non-FL stations--QSO points × FL counties × power multiplier. All multipliers count once per mode. Power multiplier--HP ×1, LP ×2, QRP ×3. For more information: www.floridaqsoparty.org. Logs due May 24 via the Web log entry page at www.b4h.net/cabforms/flqp_cab.php or to logs@floridaqsoparty.org (ASCII text or Cabrillo format) or Florida QSO Party, c/o Ron Wetjen, WD4AHZ, 5362 Castleman Dr, Sarasota, FL 34232. Nebraska QSO Party--CW/SSB/Digital--sponsored by the Heartland DX Association 1700Z Apr 23-1700Z Apr 24. Frequencies (MHz): 160-2 meters; CW--1.805 and 35 kHz above band edge, Novices/Technicians--10 kHz above band edge; Phone--1.915, 3.865, 7.265, 14.265, 21.365, 28.465, 146.460. Categories: SO, MS, NE Mobile. Work stations once per band/mode. Work NE mobile stations again in each county. County lines count as one QSO with each county. Exchange: RST and NE county or S/P/C. QSO points: CW/Digital--2 pts, Phone--1 pt. Score: QSO points × S/P/C for NE stations or NE counties (multipliers count once only) × Power Multiplier (QRP ×3, LP × 2, HP ×1). For additional information: www.qsl.net/hdxa. Logs due no later than May 31 to nqp@alltel.net or Nebraska QSO Party, c/o Steve Rasmussen, N0WY, 312 N 6th St, Plattsmouth, NE 68048-1302. Helvetia Contest--CW/SSB/Digital--sponsored by Union of Swiss Short Wave Amateurs (USKA) from 1300Z Apr 23-1259Z Apr 24. Frequencies: 160-10 meters. Categories: SO-Mixed, SO-QRP-Mixed, SO-Digital, MO-Mixed, MO-Digital, SWL. Exchange: RST and serial number (Swiss stations add canton abbreviation). QSO points: 3 pts/QSO. Score: QSO points × Swiss cantons (Swiss stations also count DXCC entities). For more information: www.uska.ch/html/en/index_e.htm. Logs due 31 days after the contest to contest@uska.ch or paper logs with less than 100 QSOs to Dominik Bugmann, HB9CZF, Zuerichstrasse 104a, 8123 Ebmatingen, Switzerland. DX Colombia International Contest--Phone/CW, sponsored by DX Colombia, from 0000Z Apr 23-0000Z Apr 25. Frequencies: 160-10 meters. Categories: SOAB, SOSB, MS, MM. Exchanges: RS(T) + serial number. QSO points: 1 pt/QSO. Score: QSO points × HK Call Areas counted once per band. For more information: www.dxcolombia.com/contest.htm. Logs due Sep 24 to dxcolombia@costa.net.co or Transversal 56 #22-107, Bosque, Cartagena, Colombia. FISTS/EUCW CW QRS Contest--sponsored by AGCW and FISTS, from 0001Z Apr 24-2359Z Apr 30. Frequencies: 160-10 meters. Categories: EUCW members, A (>5 W), B (<5 W), C non-members, SWL. Exchange: RST, QTH, Name, Club & member number or "NM." Max CW speed 14 wpm. QSO points: own country--1 pt, non-EU country--2 pts, EU country--3 pts. Score: QSO points × EUCW club worked per day and per band. For more information: www.agcw.de/eucw/euqrs.html. Logs due May 31 to bobm5agl@btopenworld.com or FISTS/EUCW Contest Manager, R. Kimpton M5AGL, 15a Buckden Rd, Brampton, Huntingdon, Cambs PE28 4PR, England. (ARRL News Service)
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. Bethlehem, PA: Delaware-Lehigh Amateur Radio Club, W3OK. 1700Z-1900Z Apr 16. National Library Week. 14.250 7.250 7.105 146.560. QSL. W3OK DLARC, RR 4 Greystone Bldg, Nazareth, PA 18064-9211. www.dlarc.org. Blacksburg, VA: Virginia Tech Amateur Radio Association, K4KDJ. 1200Z-0000Z Apr 16. Tenth anniversary of the Virginia Tech Alumni Net. 21.350 14.260 7.260 3.980. Certificate. Virginia Tech Amateur Radio Association, 347 Squires Student Center, Blacksburg, VA 24060. www.vtara.org.vt.edu St Louis, MO: Jefferson Barracks Amateur Radio Club, K0ZFK. 1600Z-2000Z Apr 16. West Point of the West, Jefferson Barracks. 28.238 14.238 7.238. Certificate. Jefferson Barracks ARC, PO Box 6553, St Louis, MO 63125-6553. www.jbarc.org. Topeka, KS: Local Amateur Radio Operators, N0G. 1400Z-2200Z Apr 16. 150th anniversary of the Kansas National Guard. 28.400 21.400 14.300. Certificate. Steve Hamilton, KB0JYL, 2503 SW Carlson Rd, Topeka, KS 66614. Bonham, TX: Fannin County Amateur Radio Club, K5FRC. 1500Z-2200Z Apr 16. Fannin County Emergency Response Fair. 14.270 7.275. QSL. Fannin County Amateur Radio Club, PO Box 684, Bonham, TX 75418. Piscataway, NJ: Piscataway Amateur Radio Club, K2VOA. 1600Z Apr 16-2400Z Apr 17. Former Voice of America relay station WBOU. 21.370 28.370 14.270 7.270. Certificate. Bill Toth, 6 Rivercrest Dr, Piscataway, NJ 08854. Broken Arrow, OK: Wayne Rumley Amateur Radio, W5R. 0000Z Apr 22-0000Z Apr 24. 50th anniversary of Rock and Roll. 21.250 14.250 7.250 3.850. QSL. Wayne Rumley II, WA5YNE, 12315 E 61 St, Broken Arrow , OK 74012. Asheboro, NC: Randolph Amateur Radio Club, NC4ZO. 1400Z-2000Z Apr 23. Celebrating spring at the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro. 28.400 21.350 14.260 7.275. Certificate. Butch Simpson, 6747 King Mountain Rd, Asheboro, NC 27205. Norman, OK: South Canadian Amateur Radio Society, W5NOR. 1500Z-2100Z Apr 23. Commemorating the Oklahoma Land Run of 1889. 14.315. QSL. SCARS, PO Box 720993, Norman, OK 73070. Farmville, NC: Brightleaf Amateur Radio Club, W4AMC. 1200-2100Z Apr 23-1200-2100Z Apr 24. 18th Annual Farmville, NC, Dogwood Festival. 14.045 7.275 7.125 3.875. QSL. Brightleaf Amateur Radio Club, PO Box 8387, Greenville, NC 27835-7207. Gainesville, FL: Gainesville Amatuer Radio Society, K4GNV. 1200Z Apr 23-1600Z Apr 24. 50 year anniversary of the Gainesville Amateur Radio Society. 28.325 21.325 14.325 7.235. QSL. David Price, PO Box 143215, Gainesville , FL 32614. Jacksonville, TX: Cherokee County Amateur Radio Club, K5JVL. 1500Z Apr 23-0500Z Apr 24. 4th Annual Drakes On the Lake. 21.375 14.275 7.275 3.875. Certificate. K5JVL, 840 Henderson St, Jacksonville, TX 75766. www.k5jvl.org. Johnson County, NE: Lincoln ARC, K0KKV. 1700Z Apr 23-1700Z Apr 25. Activation of rare Nebraska County during the NEQP. CW up 35 kHz from band edge; General portion of SSB bands. QSL. Greg Brown, 10800 W Mill Rd, Malcolm, NE 68402. http://larc.unl.edu. Wells County, IN: Grant County Amateur Radio Club, W9EBN. 1700Z-2200Z Apr 24. McNatt United Methodist Church Ham Radio Fellowship Event. 14.245 7.228 146.79. Certificate. L. B. Nickerson, K9NQW, 517 N Hendricks Ave, Marion, IN 46952. www.grantarc.com. Beecher, IL: Hams of Beecher, W9B. 1600Z-2300Z Apr 30. Beecher Depot Railroad Convention. 28.340 14.270 14.040 7.270 144.49. Certificate. Gene Backlin, 26811 Greenbriar Dr, Monee, IL 60449. Paris, TN: Henry County Radio Society, KE4HC. 1500Z-2359Z Apr 30. Celebrating the 59th Annual World's Biggest Fish Fry. 21.350 14.250 7.250. Certificate. Barry Sandefer, 4715 Guthrie Rd, Paris, TN 38242. Toad Suck, AR: Faulkner County Amateur Radio Club, W5AUU. 1500Z-2200Z Apr 30. Toad Suck Daze Festival. 21.350 14.260 7.260. Certificate. Faulkner County ARC, PO Box 324, Conway, AR 72032. www.w5auu.org. Manitowoc, WI: USS Cobia Radio Club/ManCoRad Radio Club, N9BQV. 1400Z Apr 30-2100Z May 1. WWII USS Cobia AGSS-245 sub radio reactivation. 14.243 14.043 7.243 7.043. QSL. Fred Neuenfeldt, W6BSF, 4932 S 10th St, Manitowoc, WI 54220. www.qsl.net/w9dk. Various, International: Sub Vets Amateur Radio Association. 0000Z Apr 30-2400Z May 1. 9th annual Submarines On-the-Air. 2 6 10 15 20 40 80 m SSB and CW. Certificate. Jim Flanders, W0OOG, 1539 California Tr, Plano, TX 75023-4300. Certificate for contacting 4 submarines. w0oog.50megs.com/ . (QSLs from individual ships working event.) Bonham, TX: Fannin County Amateur Radio Club, K5FRC. 1500Z-2200Z Apr 16. Fannin County Emergency Response Fair. 14.270 7.275. QSL. Fannin County Amateur Radio Club, PO Box 684, Bonham, TX 75418. (ARRL)
Mediterraneo DX Club News (Apr. 16 2005) At the 1st Mediterraneo DX Club Convention, held on 9-10 April, a few MDXC members reported the following information on past and future activties that might be of interest for your readers. 1) Plans for a DXpedition
to two unnumbered IOTA groups in the Line Islands (East Kiribati) were
announced at the recent Mediterraneo DX Club Convention MDXC members Nando
Rubino/IT9YRE (T32Y), Claudio Scaglia/I1SNW (T32SNW) and Alfio Bonanno/IT9EJW
(T32EJW) will operate SSB and CW first from Flint Island (if unable to
land there, they will move on to Vostok Island in the same group); the
second new one will be Caroline Island (aka Millennium
2) At the Mediterraneo DX Club Convention Antarctic veteran and MDXC member Filippo Corbelli, IK0AIH, reported that, while waiting for a special prefix to be issued to the Italian bases in Antarctica, IR0ANT will be used from Mario Zucchelli Station (I-01 for the Antarctica Award) starting from the XXI expedition. The Mediterraneo DX Club will handle the QSL cards for IR0ANT. Should you have not received your card for KC4/IK0AIH's activity from Concordia Station (MN-06 for the Antarctica Award), please e-mail your QSO data to iz8ccw@mdxc.org Filippo also reported that the only legitimate amateur radio activities during the latest Italian expedition (the 20th) to Antarctica were those conducted personally by amateur radio operator Mario Pillon (I0QHM) as KC4/I0QHM. Best 73, IZ8CCW Ant
The Last Rare IOTA (Apr. 15 2005) The last unnumbered - never to have been activated - Island on thr Air or I-O-T-A group in Europe is likely to lose that status Mid-June. This, when 9 people including two radio amateurs will land on Rockall Island which is 230 miles from nearest landfall in the North Atlantic. Dave Wood, MM0ALM, and Jim Cameron, MM0CWJ, will rely on a member of the S-A-S to get them on Rockall between about June 14 and 21. The Hams hope to put up a small tent on a tiny ledge a few metres square and to operate primarily SSB as MS0IRC slash P. The venture will raise funds for Media, a project of the Mental Health Media charity. (GB2RS) (ARNewsLine)
FT5XO Kerguelen Island DXpedition logs nearly 68,000 contacts (Apr 7, 2005) The recent FT5XO Kerguelen Island DXpedition racked up 67,954 QSOs during its 11-plus days of operation in late March. Located in the subantarctic region of the Indian Ocean, Kerguelen (IOTA AF-048)--also known as "Desolation Island"--is ranked as the 13th most-wanted DXCC entity worldwide and the 10th most-wanted in the US. The multinational Microlite Penguins DXpedition Team--AG9A, GI0NWG, HB9ASZ, M0DXR, N6MZ, N0TT, SP5XVY, VE3EJ, VK6DXI, W3WL, W7EW and 9V1YC--reports that 68 percent of the contacts were made on CW--many of them on 40 and 30 meters--while 29 percent were on SSB and 3 percent on RTTY. European DXers were the primary beneficiaries, accounting for slightly more than one-half of the FT5XO contacts made. Japan followed with 21 percent, and the US at 17 percent. The operation took place from an abandoned whaling station, Port Jeanne d'Arc, close to the shore and with good takeoffs in most directions. Weather during the team's stay ran the gamut from strong wind, rain and sleet to heavy snow. Static from snowstorms produced fierce QRN and forced the operation to shut down until it abated. The DXpedition was organized and sponsored by the Northern California DX Foundation. QSL FT5XO via VE3XN.--George Fremin III, K5TR (ARRL News Service)
April 14 2005 ARRL DX News This week's bulletin was made possible with information provided by QRZ DX, the OPDX Bulletin, The Daily DX, DXNL, WA7BNM and Contest Corral from QST. Thanks to all. MAURITIUS, 3B8. Mart, DL6UAA will be QRV as 3B8MM until May 10. QSL direct to home call. ISRAEL, 4X. Dov, 4Z4DX will be QRV as 4Z4DX/LH from the Jaffa Lighthouse, ARLHS SR-005, April 16 and 17. QSL direct to home call. Meanwhile, Jac, 4X/PA3AJW and Ron, 4X/PA3BMQ are QRV from the Golan Heights, northern Israel, until April 21. Activity is on all HF bands using CW and SSB. They will be QRV as 4X2C from the town of Ramot during the Holyland DX Contest. QSL via operators' instructions. BHUTAN, A5. Look for activity from new club station stations A50E at the Shingkhar Primary School in Shingkhar, and A50F at the Bardo Primary School in Bardo. QSL via operators' instructions. THE GAMBIA, C5. Gerben is QRV as C56M and has been active on 30 meters around 2130z. QSL via PG5M. PHILIPPINES, DU. Carl, DU2/K7QN is QRV until the end of April. He is active on 20, 15 and 10 meters using CW and SSB. QSL to home call. SCOTLAND, GM. Members of the South Cheshire ARS will be QRV as GM6TW from the Isle of Jura, IOTA EU-088, from April 16 to 23. Activity will be on 160 to 10 meters, including the newer bands, using CW and SSB. QSL via G0UZP. LIECHTENSTEIN, HB0. Stations HA5MA, HA5OJ, HA5BWW and HA7PC are QRV as HB0/homecalls until April 21 from the Chalet Wanni. Activity is on 160 to 10 meters, including the newer bands, using CW and SSB. They may try some WSJT on 2-meters. QSL to home calls. US VIRGIN ISLANDS, KP2. John, K3CT and his wife Susan, N3DVF will be QRV as KP2/K3CT and KP2/N3DVF while vacationing from St. Croix from April 19 to 26. They will operate on all bands using CW and SSB. QSL both callsigns via K3CT. NETHERLANDS, PA. Alfons, ON4AWT, Hugo, ON4CF, Geoffrey, ON6JK and Stefan, ON4OSA are QRV as PA/homecalls from Texel Island until April 17. Activity is on 80, 40, 20, 15 and 10 meters using SSB, with some digital modes. The Texel/Eierland lighthouse will also be activated. QSL to home calls. BRAZIL, PY. Look for ZW6FSM to be QRV from Fort Sao Marcos from April 17 to 18, and then April 20 to 21, using CW and SSB. Activity will be on 80, 40 and 20 meters. QSL via PY6KW. SUDAN, ST. Dane, S57CQ is QRV as ST2T and will be here until at least June. He will be active primarily during the contests as these are the only times he can get on the air. QSL via S57DX. CRETE, SV9. Rosel, SV9/DL3KWR and Hardy, SV9/DL3KWF will be QRV from April 16 to 29. Most of their activity will be on the newer bands, plus 80-meters, and mostly CW, in their evening times. QSL to home calls. EUROPEAN RUSSIA, UA. Alex, RX3AJL is active until April 22 from some islands in the Kara sea. QSL to home call. MACAO, XX9. Hirotada is QRV as XX9TSC and has been active using SSTV on 20 meters just prior to 1230z. QSL via JA0SC. ANTARCTICA. Ed, ZL5KX is QRV from Scott Base on Ross Island. He is usually QRV on 20 meters around 0800 to 0900z. QSL via operator's instructions. CHATHAM ISLAND, ZL7. Rick, AI5P is QRV as ZL7/AI5P and will be here probably through April 26. Activity is on 30 and 17 meters using CW. QSL to home call. THIS WEEKEND ON THE RADIO. The Holyland DX Contest, EU EME Contest, TARA Skirmish-Digital Prefix Contest, ES Open HF Championship, EU CW Spring Sprint, Michigan QSO Party, EA-QRP CW Contest, Ontario QSO Party and the YU DX Contest will certainly keep contesters busy this weekend. Please see April QST, page 100 and the ARRL and WA7BNM contest websites for details. (ARRL)
Apr. 16-30 2005 I.C.P.O. Bulletin Islands, Castles & Portable Operations - I.C.P.O. 16/04/2005: ARLHS:ISR-005
4Z4DX/LH JAFFA LIGHTHOUSE -
16/04/2005: EU-008
GM6TW/P ISLE OF JURA -
17/04/2005: DFB:BA-05
ZW6FSM FORT SÃO MARCOS -
18/04/2005: 9G GHANA
DXPEDITION -
19/04/2005: EX/ES1FB
KYRGHYZSTAN -
19/04/2005: EX/ES1FB
KYRGHYZSTAN -
20/04/2005: DFB:BA-05
ZW6FSM FORT SÃO MARCOS -
21/04/2005: JT1Y & JT1Y/4
MONGOLIA & GOBI DESERT -
22/04/2005: HBØ/H.C.'s
LIECHTENSTEIN -
22/04/2005: LX/H.C.'s
LUXEMBOURG -
23/04/2005: AF-NEW
SU8IOTA DISUQI ISLAND -
30/04/2005: EU-105
F5SGI/P BATZ 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
ARES-RACES teams activate in wake of flooding (Apr 12, 2005) ARES-RACES teams in Pennsylvania and New York were among those activating after torrential rainfall over the April 2-3 weekend caused rivers to overflow their banks. In the Matamoras, Pennsylvania, area the Delaware River (photo) crested at nearly 4.5 feet above flood stage, reports Pike County Emergency Coordinator Tom Olver, W2TAO, who lives just across the river in New York. He said nearly 200 houses were damaged, deemed uninhabitable or destroyed altogether. The flooding also closed roads and even washed out some of them. ARES members provided communication support at Red Cross shelters in Pike County, Pennsylvania, and Orange County, New York. Not far away in Port Jervis and Goshen, New York, Pike County ARES members assisted at emergency operation centers. One radio amateur not affiliated with ARES who set up to provide communication from a Red Cross shelter in Port Jervis earned praise from a shelter worker for helping to keep the evacuees informed. Upward of two dozen radio amateurs volunteered, reports Orange County, New York, Emergency Coordinator Steve Fleckenstein, N2UBP. In Columbia County in Central Pennsylvania, EC and RACES Radio Officer Randy Kishbaugh, N3JPV, reports an ARES-RACES net was activated when the Susquehanna and other rivers flooded. ARES provided Red Cross shelter communications and reported river levels and road closures to state and local emergency management agencies. “This was a truly great effort by everyone,” Kishbaugh said. He reported 20 net check-ins during nine hours of operation. Members of the Endless Mountains Amateur Radio Club in Wyoming County got some complimentary ink in the Wyoming County Press Examiner after county Emergency Management Director Gene Dziak commended the radio amateurs for helping to facilitate communication among various agencies responding to the flooding. [ Steve Fleckenstein, N2UBP, Photo Flooding in Pike County, Pennsylvania, threatened the welcome center off Interstate 84.] (ARRL News Service)
Florida United Way arm recognizes ARES/RACES team (Apr 12, 2005) The Volunteer & Community Resource Center (VCRC), United Way of Martin County, Florida, has named Martin County Amateur Radio Emergency Service/Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (ARES/RACES) as "Champions of the Community." The award recognizes the team's efforts during the ARRL holiday toy drive in support of the VCRCs White Doves Holiday Project as well as ARES/RACES emergency communication contributions. Amateur Radio clubs and individual hams donated thousands of toys to the campaign, aimed at brightening the holidays for children left homeless or displaced by the spate of hurricanes that ravaged Florida last year. The VCRC distributed toys and food to more than 1300 families last December. "The groups recognized by this award helped our community in so many ways on so many levels--locally, nationally, in disaster response and with an outpouring of gifts," said Diane Tomasik, the VCRC's associate director. "Locally, VCRC and the Martin County ARES/RACES have forged a strong partnership through an effort to recruit and train more Amateur Radio operators. Through this partnership, VCRC has been constantly impressed by the level of commitment and caring demonstrated by this group of volunteers who provide an emergency communications system when all else fails." Martin County Emergency Coordinator Steve Blary, N1XC, accepted the Champions of the Community award on behalf of his fellow ham radio operators April 7. "Thanks to everyone for a job well done before, during, and after the hurricanes!" he said afterward. (ARRL News Service)
W1AW 2005 Spring/Summer Operating Schedule Morning Schedule: Time
Mode Days
Daily Visitor Operating Hours: 1400 UTC to 1600 UTC - (10 AM to
12 PM ET)
(Station closed 1600 to 1700 UTC (12 PM to 1 PM ET)) Afternoon/Evening Schedule: 2000 UTC (4 PM ET)
CWf Mon, Wed, Fri
Frequencies
(MHz):
Notes: CWs = Morse Code practice (slow)
= 5, 7.5, 10, 13 and 15 WPM
CW frequencies include code practices, Qualifying Runs and CW bulletins. RTTY = Teleprinter Bulletins = BAUDOT (45.45 baud) and AMTOR-FEC (100 Baud). ASCII (110 Baud) is sent only as time allows. Code practice texts are from QST, and the source of each practice is given at the beginning of each practice and at the beginning of alternate speeds. On Tuesdays and Fridays at 2230 UTC (6:30 PM ET), Keplerian Elements for active amateur satellites are sent on the regular teleprinter frequencies. A DX bulletin replaces or is added to the regular bulletins between 0000 UTC (8 PM ET) Thursdays and 0000 UTC (8 PM ET) Fridays. In a communications emergency, monitor W1AW for special bulletins as follows: Voice on the hour, Teleprinter at 15 minutes past the hour, and CW on the half hour. FCC licensed amateurs may operate the station from 1400 UTC to 1600 UTC (10 AM to 12 PM ET), and then from 1700 UTC to 1945 UTC (1 PM to 3:45 PM ET) Monday through Friday. Be sure to bring your current FCC amateur license or a photocopy. The complete W1AW Operating Schedule
may be found on page 97 in the April 2004 issue of QST or on the web at,
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