Amateur Radio part of VK Amber Alert System (Apr. 15 2005)

Australia's first Child Abduction or Amber Alert system is now in place across Queensland province and ham radio is expected to soon be a part of it.  As currently structured, if a child is kidnapped anywhere in Queensland the Child Abduction Alert can be activated.  This means that if a child goes missing the details can be broadcast almost instantly by local radio instead of waiting for the next scheduled news bulletin.

(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 (IMD) is a 24-hour amateur radio event held annually to celebrate the birth of  Guglielmo Marconi on the 25th of April 1874. The IMD event is not a contest, it is an opportunity for amateurs around the world to make point-to-point contact with historic Marconi sites using HF communications techniques similar to those used by Marconi, and to gain an attractive Award for achieving the requisite number of Marconi stations worked.

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

Little changed in terms of sunspots and solar flux this week, but it was one of those periods were average daily sunspot numbers were up slightly and average daily solar flux was down a little. Average daily sunspot numbers were up more than 10 points to 50.9, and average daily solar flux was down 5 points to 81.9.  Geomagnetic conditions were calmer and quieter, with no really stormy days at all. As for the most unsettled days, the planetary A index was 19 on April 14, while the mid-latitude A index was 14.

On April 20, the planetary A index was 21, and the mid-latitude A index was 12. 

No large sunspots are detected on the sun's far side, and the projection for the next week is for more of the same in terms of solar flux and sunspot numbers. April 25-28 could see a slight rise in sunspot count. April 22-23 could produce some unsettled geomagnetic conditions if the interplanetary magnetic field turns south. Currently, the field points north, tending to deflect any solar wind. While there isn't much in the way of sunspots, at least conditions are quiet and there is more sunlight for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere. 

Randy Crews, W7TJ, of Spokane, Washington, wrote to recommend the article "The 160-Meter Band: An Enigma Shrouded in Mystery," by Cary Oler and Dr Theodore J. Cohen, N4XX. It originally appeared in the March and April 1998 editions of CQ. Crews says it's one of the best articles on 160-meter propagation he's ever read. 

For more information concerning radio propagation and an explanation of the numbers used in this bulletin see the ARRL Technical Information Service Propagation page. 

Sunspot numbers for April 14 through 20 were 63, 61, 52, 54, 44, 43 and 39, with a mean of 50.9. The 10.7 cm flux was 85.4, 84.9, 82.9, 83.6, 81.3, 78.2 and 77, with a mean of 81.9. Estimated planetary A indices were 19, 13, 7, 5, 8, 8 and 21, with a mean of 11.6. Estimated mid-latitude A indices were 14, 7, 4, 4, 5, 6 and 12, with a mean of 7.4. 

(ARRL News Service)

Apr. 23 2005  Solar and propagation report, 
compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS,and Martin Harrison, G3USF.

Solar flare activity has mostly been very low, apart from the 17th, when there were four C-class flares. The solar flux declined slowly, from 83 on the 16th to 77 on the 21st. The average of 79 was 7 points down on the previous week. The 90-day average shed 3 points to 91. The X-ray flux was also down, with little daily variation and an average of A3.9, compared with A5.1 he previous week. The geomagnetic field was quiet or slightly unsettled, apart from the 20th, when a high speed coronal stream raised the Ap index to 21 units. Even so, the daily average was only 9 units. The ACE spacecraft reported solar wind speeds varying between a low of 322 km/sec on the 19th and a high of 551 km/sec on the 20th.  Particle densities reach 19 on the 20th but were otherwise mostly in single figures.

HF propagation remained much as it has been in recent weeks.  There were few openings on 24 and 28 MHz but 14 and 18MHz provided reasonably reliable propagation.  All continents were workable on 14MHz at appropriate times of day. Last week's report noted that the summer sporadic-E season should soon be under way. Sure enough, recent days have produced several 50MHz openings to south-east Europe, the Mediterranean and North Africa. 

The week ahead seems unlikely to produce any major changes.  Flare activity is expected to continue low or very low. Solar flux levels will sink a little further but will probably not drop out of the 70s and could be staging a modest revival by next weekend.  The geomagnetic field will be predominantly quiet or slightly unsettled.  MUFs at equal latitudes will show 
a further decline to 19MHz in the south and 16MHz in the north.  Darkness hour lows will be in the region of 10MHz.  Paths to Australia should have a maximum usable frequency of about 19MHz.  The optimum working frequency, where there should be a 90 per cent chance of success, will be about 16MHz.  The path will be best between 0900 and 1200UTC. 

Although sporadic-E propagation cannot be specifically predicted, there should be more openings at 28 and 50MHz and, just possibly, 70MHz.. Mornings or early evenings are the most likely times of day.

Report prepared by Neil Clarke, G0CAS, and Martin Harrison, G3USF.

NASA Study Finds Snow Melt Causes Large Ocean Plant Blooms (Apr. 21 2005)

A NASA funded study has found a decline in winter and spring snow cover over Southwest Asia and the Himalayan mountain range is creating conditions for more widespread blooms of ocean plants in the Arabian Sea. 

The decrease in snow cover has led to greater differences in both temperature and pressure systems between the Indian subcontinent and the Arabian Sea. The pressure differences generate monsoon winds that mix the ocean water in the Western Arabian Sea. This mixing leads to better growing conditions for tiny, free-floating ocean plants called phytoplankton. 

Lead author of the study is Joaquim Goes. He is a senior researcher at the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, West Boothbay Harbor, Maine. Goes and colleagues used satellite observations of ocean color to show phytoplankton concentrations in the Western Arabian Sea have increased by more than 350 percent over the past seven years. The study is in this week's SCIENCE magazine 

When winter and spring snow cover is low over Eurasia, the amount of solar energy reflected back into the atmosphere is less. A decline in the amount of snow cover means less of the sun's energy goes towards melting of snow and evaporation of wet soil. As a result the land mass heats up more in summer creating a larger temperature difference between the water of the Arabian Sea and the Indian subcontinent landmass. 

The temperature difference is responsible for a disparity in pressure over land and sea, creating a low pressure system over the Indian subcontinent and a high pressure system over the Arabian Sea. This difference in pressure causes winds to blow from the Southwest Arabian Sea bringing annual rainfall to the subcontinent from June to September. In the Western Arabian Sea, these winds also cause upwelling of cooler nutrient-rich water, creating ideal conditions for phytoplankton to bloom every year during summer. 

Since 1997, a reduction in snow has led to wider temperature differences between the land and ocean during summer. As a consequence, sea surface winds over the Arabian Sea have strengthened leading to more intense upwelling and more widespread blooms of phytoplankton along the coasts of Somalia, Yemen and Oman. 

According to Goes, while large blooms of phytoplankton can enhance fisheries, exceptionally large blooms could be detrimental to the ecosystem. Increases in phytoplankton amounts can lead to oxygen depletion in the water column and eventually to a decline in fish populations. 

The Arabian Sea hosts one of the world's largest pools of oxygen-poor water at depths between 200 and 1,000 meters (656 to 3,281 feet). Since the Arabian Sea lacks an opening to the north, the deeper waters are not well ventilated. Also when organic matter produced by phytoplankton breaks down and decomposes, more oxygen gets consumed in the process. An increase in phytoplankton could therefore cause oxygen deficiencies in the Arabian Sea to spread, leading to fish mortality. 

Oxygen-depleted waters also provide the perfect environment for the growth of a specialized group of bacteria called denitrifying bacteria. These bacteria convert a nitrogen-based nutrient readily consumable by plants in seawater, called nitrate, into forms of nitrogen that most plants cannot use. 

One form of nitrogen that plants cannot consume is nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas. In the atmosphere, nitrous oxide is 310 times more potent as a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide. Thus, as very large phytoplankton blooms deplete more oxygen from the water, the creation of nitrous oxide in the Arabian Sea could exacerbate climate change, Goes said. 

For more information visit: www.nasa.gov/vision/earth/lookingatearth/eurasian_melt.html

(SpaceRef.com)

ISS Expedition 10 Crew Passes the Baton to New Two-Ham Team (Apr. 22 2005)

International Space Station Expedition 10 crew members Leroy Chiao, KE5BRW, and Salizhan Sharipov have formally handed over command of the station to the Expedition 11 crew of Commander Sergei Krikalev, U5MIR, and US Astronaut and ISS Science Officer and Flight Engineer John Phillips, KE5DRY. A formal change-of-command ceremony was held aboard the ISS today.

Full Story

(ARRL News Service)

Second Time’s the Charm for New Hampshire School Space Contact (Apr 20, 2005)

Youngsters at Maple Avenue Elementary School in Goffstown, New Hampshire, had to wait an extra week, but on April 13, they were able to talk directly via Amateur Radio with Leroy Chiao, KE5BRW, at the controls of NA1SS on the International Space Station. Technical problems cropped up on the originally scheduled date of April 5. The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) program was able to reschedule the contact for April 13. Chiao told one youngster that while there’s no weather per se in space, the ISS can view Earth’s weather. The external environment of space does come into play, however, in developing suits for spacewalks, he said.

Full Story

(ARRL News Service)

Ham-radio-in-space pioneer Tony England, W0ORE, to be ARRL EXPO guest (Apr 20, 2005)

Tony England, W0ORE, the second US astronaut to ever use Amateur Radio in space, will be a special guest of the League's at ARRL EXPO 2005 at Dayton Hamvention. Present plans call for England to be at the ARRL EXPO 2005 area in the Ballarena of the Hara Arena complex Friday, May 20, from 9:30 until 10 AM, and at the ARRL youth activities area from 10 until 10:30 AM. Visitors may want to have England autograph their Dayton Hamvention programs or ARRL Passports. During his NASA career, England served on the support staff for the Apollo 13 and 16 flights. In 1985, England flew the Space Amateur Radio EXperiment (SAREX) during the STS-51F Spacelab-2 mission. He retired from NASA in 1988 after logging 188 hours in space. England, 62, now is Associate Dean for Academic Affairs for the University of Michigan College of Engineering as well as a professor of electrical engineering and computer science and professor of atmospheric, oceanic and space sciences. 

(ARRL News Service)
 

Celebrating our 54th show, May 20,21, & 22, 2005, Dayton Hamvention® is the world's largest amateur radio gathering and trade show. 

You are invited to attend: 

• our Forums where you can meet and hear authorities on all facets of amateur radio - Note: All Forums time slots are BOOKED in advance. We still have a few additional space or times available. Plenty of space for guests to attend. Seating is provided on a first come first served basis so plan to arrive early. 

• 500 inside exhibit spaces where the exhibitors are showing their latest equipment and are available to answer questions about their products 

• our HUGE 2500+ space Flea Market area! The largest of its kind! 

For full details visit the Dayton Hamvention website: www.hamvention.org/
 

This will be our 3rd year to broadcast live our drive to hamvention (550 miles) and then the 3 days outside in the fleamarket. This year we have a new addition.  We have the helmet cam which will let people around the world get a view of all the things we look at as we walk around. The streaming cam page also has its own chat room and hams from around the world watched, chatted, and enjoyed it the past 2 years. There are no pop-ups or advertisements. Just something we like to do each year and have fun.  It lets hams take part in ham radio if they are too far away to travel or health does not permit it. 

Streaming Webcast Schedule

We will be broadcasting from the beginning until the end of the show each day Friday May 20th through Sunday May 22th from our outside fleamarket spaces 3350-3351.  Please come by and say hello and wave to your loved ones back home. 

NEW THIS YEAR !! Watch for the "Helmet Cam". You will be able to see what we see as we walk around in the fleamarket. 

Also watch for us as we convoy from Memphis, Tn to Dayton, Oh. on WEDNESDAY May 18th and set up our fleamarket space on Thursday May 19th..  This is a 550 mile drive and will take us about 10 hours. We will depart Memphis about 8:00 am CST and arrive Dayton about 7:00 pm EST.  This will be our third year to broadcast the drive live. Chat with us on the chat screen as we drive.  Hams from around the world followed our trip and chatted with us last year.   Watch us and try to guess where we are. After hamvention, we will be broadcasting our drive back home. Watch for us Sunday May 22th from about 1:00 pm until about 9:00pm CST. 

This is the largest collection of Hamvention pictures on the world wide web. Dayton Hamvention

Thanks, Tom  WA5KUB

CNN International Features Ham Radio (Apr. 23 2005)

A reminder that the world-wide cable TV news channel CNN is featuring a segment on amateur radio operators' response to the 26 December tsunami and the March Indonesian earthquake. The segment focuses on the HF and Echolink operations of Bharathi Prasad, VU2RBI, who served as the main contact point for amateur radio traffic in and out of India in the wake of the devastating tsunami. In Europe, the feature is broadcast on the ‘Global Challenges’ programme on the CNN International channel at 0230 and 2000UTC on 24 April and 1 and 8 May.

(RSGB2)

Guinness World Records Recognizes Radio Amateur (Apr.23 2005)

Guinness World Records Ltd has awarded a certificate to Finnish radio amateur Jukka Heikinheimo, OH2BR, for a record number of contacts made by an individual from one location in one year. Operating as VP6TR from Pitcairn Island, Jukka made 56,239 contacts between 25 January and 21 April 2000.

(RSGB2)

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) 

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)

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. 21 2005)

Having reached and gone beyond the 100th certificate issued, the Mediterraneo DX Club is now able to work on a few  statistics. The table at www.mdxc.org/antarctica/mostwanted.asp lists the "most wanted" Antarctica Award bases - the rarer ones are those which the 10% of current certificate holders have credited (bases credited to less than 10% of certificate holders have been omitted).

The chart showing issued certificates divided up by coutries can be found at www.mdxc.org/antarctica/reports.asp

IZ8CCW Ant
Mediterraneo DX Club  #004
www.mdxc.org

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)

CQ announces annual "DX Marathon" (Apr 21, 2005)

CQ magazine has announced the revival of its long-dormant CQ DX Marathon, which last ran in 1948. The new CQ DX Marathon will essentially be a year-long DX contest, with stations competing to contact as many different countries ("entities") and CQ Zones of the World as possible over a full-year period, then starting again at zero at the beginning of the next year. The new CQ DX Marathon is aimed at reinvigorating DXing. CQ outlined the program April 16 at the International DX Convention in Visalia, California. CQ Editor Rich Moseson, W2VU, credits Bob Locher, W9KNI, with providing the inspiration to revive the activity, and Locher was on hand for the official announcement. "Many active DXers have noticed a drop-off in general DXing activity outside of contests and DXpeditions," Locher said. "I suggested that CQ start up an event that would promote activity all year long, would minimize geographic advantages and provide for simple scoring. It turns out that the CQ DX Marathon, which evolved after 1948 into the CQ World Wide DX Contest, was already based on the same concepts." Scoring will consist of the total number of DXCC entities and CQ zones contacted over the course of a year. There will be no multipliers, and each country/entity and zone counts only once. In the case of a tie, the station whose last qualifying contact came earliest in the year will be the winner. Complete details and rules for the new CQ DX Marathon will be on the CQ Web site and in the May issue of CQ magazine. The first running of the event will be in 2006. 

(ARRL News Service)

April 21 2005 ARRL  DX News

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

MONGOLIA, JT.  Nicola, I0SNY, is expected to be active again as JT1Y until May 10.  He also expects to operate as JT1Y/4 from the Gobi Desert.   QSL via his home call sign, direct or by the bureau.

SEYCHELLES, S79.  Frederic, HB9CQK, will be active as S79QK from April 27 to May 8.  His activity will include the activation of Denis Island (AF-024) and Alphonse Island (AF-033).  Operations will be on the 20, 17, 15, 12 and 10 meter SSB on the IOTA frequencies. The log will be uploaded to LoTW.  QSL via HB9CQK, direct or by the bureau.

DODECANESE, SV5.  Tomas, LY1DF, will be active as SV5/LY1DF from April 28 to May 4.  Activity will be on 80, 30, 20 and 17 meters. QSL via LY1DF, by the bureau or direct.

CRETE, SV9.  DL3KWR and DL3KWF will be active as SV9/DL3KWR and SV9/DL3KWF, respectively, through April 29.  Activity will be mostly on the newer bands, 80 meters and on CW during their evenings.  QSL via home call signs.

CHATHAM ISLANDS, ZL7.  Rick, AI5P, is now active as ZL7/AI5P until April 26.  Activity will be mainly on CW on 40 to 10 meters. Activity over the past week has been on 30 and 20 meters CW.  There has been some 17 meters CW and 20 meters SSB.  QSL via AI5P.

VATICAN, HV.  Francesco, IK0FVC, is QRV as HV0A in celebration of the election of the new Pope and has been active on 20 meter SSB.

BAHAMAS, C6.  Dave, G4WFQ, will sign C6AWF from Treasure Cay, Abaco Island (NA-080) until April 29.  He plans to work mainly in CW and RTTY, but also SSB, on 80 through 10 meters, including the newer bands.  QSL via G3SWH.

MAURITIUS, 3B8.  DL6UAA will be QRV again as 3B8MM until May 10. QSL via home call, buro ok.

FIJI, 3D2.  Look for JK1FNL to be active as 3D2NA from Mana Island (OC-121), April 24 to 28.  Activity will be on 40 through 6 meters CW, SSB and RTTY.  QSL via his home call sign, direct or by the bureau.

TAIWAN, BX3.  Juergen, DJ3KR, is now active as BX3/DJ3KR until June 5.  He was spotted this past week on 30 and 17 meter CW.  Watch these bands between 1100 and 1700z.  QSL via DJ3KR.

KYRGYZSTAN, EX.  Look for Jaak, ES1FB, to be active as EX/ES1FB until 29.  Also, look for Oleg, ES1RA, to be active as EX/ES1RA until May 17.  QSL EX/ES1FB direct to: Jaak Meier, Box 2907, 13102, Tallinn, Estonia.  QSL EX/ES1RA direct to: Oleg Mir, Box 806, 11702, Tallinn, Estonia.

LIECHTENSTEIN, HB0.  Look for IZ1DSH, IK1WEG and IZ1GDB to be active as HB0/home call, April 22 to 26.  Activity will be on 80, 40, 30 and 20 meters using CW and SSB.  QSL via their home call signs, direct or via the ARI bureau.

THAILAND, HS0.  K4VUD will be active as HS0ZCW from April 28 to May 14.

SAUDI ARABIA, HZ.  Thomas, HZ1EX, has been very active on 40 and 17 meters CW.  Check 40 meters around 7002 kHz, between 2130 and 0200z and 17 meters around 18075 to 18085 kHz, between 1330 and 1730z.  He will be here until June.  QSL via SM0BYD.

THIS WEEKEND ON THE RADIO.  The Florida QSO Party, Nebraska QSO Party, Helvetia Contest, DX Columbia International Contest and the FISTS/EU CW QRS Contest are all on tap for this weekend.  Please see April 2005 QST, page 100 for details.

(ARRL)

Two New IOTA Reference Numbers (Apr. 23 2005)

Two new Islands on the Air reference numbers have been added by the RSGB IOTA Manager following recent IOTA operations. These are OC-268 for the Laut Kecil Islands in Indonesia, and SA-094 for the Ultima Esperanza Province South group of Chile.

(RSGB2)

Apr. 22-30 2005    I.C.P.O. Bulletin Islands, Castles & Portable Operations - I.C.P.O.

22/04/2005:  HBØ/H.C.'s  LIECHTENSTEIN -
Look for Gherardo HB0/IZ1DSH, Giovanni HB0/IK1WEG and Riccardo HB0/IZ1GDB to be active April 22-26th from Liechtenstein. They plan to operate 80, 40, 30 and 20 meter CW and SSB. QSL via home calls, direct (QRZ.com) or via the ARI bureau. [Tnx IZ1DSH]

22/04/2005:  LX/H.C.'s  LUXEMBOURG -
ON4BAG, ON4LO, ON6QX and ON6UM will be active April 22-25th as LX/homecall from Luxembourg. They plan to operate on 160-10 meter SSB, CW and digital modes. QSL via home calls, direct or through the bureau. [Tnx 425DXN]

23/04/2005:  AF-NEW  SU8IOTA  DISUQI ISLAND -
* SU8IOTA * THE FIRST EVER IOTA ACTIVITY FROM EGYPT *
Hossam SU1HM, Said SU1SK, Tarek SU2TA and Sayed SU1SA plan to operate as SU8IOTA from Disuqi (aka Nelson) Island in the Nile Delta and Sinai Region Group (AF-NEW) from April 23rd until 1 May 1st. QSL direct to SU1SK (Said Kamel, P.O. Box 190, New Ramsis Center, Cairo 11794, Egypt). [Tnx I1JQJ & 425DXN]

30/04/2005:  EU-105  F5SGI/P  BATZ ISLAND -
Jean-Marc, F5SGI, will be QRV April 30th to May 6th from Batz Island (IOTA EU-105, DIFM MA-018). Look for activity on 80 through 10 meters, mainly CW. QSL via home call, direct or bureau. [Tnx 425 DXN]

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

California RACES ATV demonstration gets high marks from fire officials (Apr 21, 2005)

Huntington Beach, California, Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) communications volunteers recently demonstrated an amateur television (ATV) system newly installed in the city fire department's hazardous materials (HAZMAT) unit. The ATV system enables live, real-time video images for "visual reconnaissance" to supplement voice-mode communications and accident scene descriptions. For the April 5 demo, RACES communications volunteers were stationed in the HAZMAT vehicle (photo) and in a Huntington Beach Police Department (HBPD) helicopter to operate the ATV equipment. HAZMAT personnel interfaced with the police helicopter via a radio link to direct and request images from the airborne ATV system. Said Huntington Beach City Fire Battalion Chief Bill Reardon, "Our RACES team is really showing the fire department how valuable they are to the city with this new and exciting technology." The RACES volunteers used local a repeater system to ensure reliable communication during the demonstration. The Huntington Beach Fire Department Emergency Services Office administers the RACES team, one of 18 in Orange County, California. 

(ARRL News Service)

FCC adopts digital broadcasting standard (Apr 21, 2005)
 

The FCC has adopted the Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) standard for US HF Broadcasting Service (HFBC) digital transmission and taken related actions that it anticipates will reinvigorate HFBC. DRM is capable of providing near-FM quality sound within current AM emission bandwidths.

Adoption of the DRM standard was among several actions the FCC took in a wide-ranging Report and Order (R&O) in response to World Radiocommunication Conference 2003 (WRC-03)--ET Docket 04-139. The FCC agreed with a recommendation from the National Association of Shortwave Broadcasters (NASB) to set a 10-kW mean minimum power level for digital transmissions in order to minimize interference and conform to International Telecommunication Union (ITU) spectrum masks. The FCC authorized both digital audio broadcasting and datacasting. The FCC said channels using digitally modulated emissions may share the same spectrum or be interleaved with analog emissions in the same HFBC band, provided the protection afforded to the analog emissions is at least as great as that currently in place for analog-to-analog protection. The Commission authorized double-sideband (DSB), single-sideband (SSB), and digital transmissions in HF bands between 5900 and 26,100 kHz, and it set minimum HFBC power levels of 50 kW PEP for SSB. DRM was demonstrated at the National Association of Broadcasters convention this past week in Las Vegas. In the same proceeding the FCC also reallocated the 7100-7200 kHz band to the Amateur Service on a co-primary basis and reallocated the 7350-7400 kHz band to the HFBC Service on a co-primary basis with the fixed service until March 29, 2009, after which it will be allocated exclusively for broadcasting. 

(ARRL News Service)

W1AW 2005 Spring/Summer Operating Schedule

Morning Schedule:

Time                                Mode     Days 
-------------------             ----     --------- 
1300 UTC (9 AM ET)    CWs      Wed, Fri 
1300 UTC (9 AM ET)    CWf      Tue, Thu 

Daily Visitor Operating Hours:

1400 UTC to 1600 UTC - (10 AM to 12 PM ET)
1700 UTC to 1945 UTC - (1 PM to 3:45 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 
2000  "      "          CWs      Tue, Thu
2100  "  (5 PM ET)      CWb      Daily
2200  "  (6 PM ET)      RTTY     Daily 
2300  "  (7 PM ET)      CWs      Mon, Wed, Fri 
2300  "      "          CWf      Tue, Thu
0000  "  (8 PM ET)      CWb      Daily
0100  "  (9 PM ET)      RTTY     Daily 
0145  "  (9:45 PM ET)   VOICE    Daily 
0200  "  (10 PM ET)     CWf      Mon, Wed, Fri 
0200  "      "          CWs      Tue, Thu
0300  "  (11 PM ET)     CWb      Daily
 

Frequencies (MHz): 
                         ----------------- 
CW:    1.8175 3.5815 7.0475 14.0475  18.0975 21.0675 28.0675 147.555
RTTY:     -   3.625  7.095  14.095   18.1025 21.095  28.095  147.555
VOICE:  1.855 3.990  7.290  14.290   18.160  21.390  28.590  147.555

Notes: 

CWs = Morse Code practice (slow) = 5, 7.5, 10, 13 and 15 WPM
CWf = Morse Code practice (fast) = 35, 30, 25, 20, 15, 13 and 10 WPM
CWb = Morse Code Bulletins = 18 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,
http://www.arrl.org/w1aw.html .