|
|
|
|
Brave new Spectrum World of the 21st century.
For the last couple of years, a debate has been raging in spectrum management circles between the "techies", and the "economists" about how the radio spectrum should be managed. This debate is taking place at the ITU, and among spectrum managers and spectrum users within many countries, with the US FCC taking the lead.
In a recent article in the Economist,
the debate is described as taking place between two "mindsets".
On one side are notions of radio
frequencies as scarce resources that can be used by only one transmitter
at a time and are worth lobbying and paying billions for; on the other
side is the idea that any number of transmitters and receivers can peacefully
co-exist on the airwaves and that spectrum should therefore be open to
all--not individual property, but rather a commons.
The old mindset, supported by over a century of technological experience and 70 years of regulatory habit, views spectrum--the range of frequencies, or wavelengths, at which electromagnetic waves vibrate--as a scarce resource that must be allocated by governments or bought and sold like property.
The new school, pointing to cutting-edge
technologies, says that spectrum is by nature abundant and that
allocating, buying or selling parts
of it will one day seem as illogical as, say, apportioning or selling sound
waves to people who would like to have a conversation.
An example of the new mindset, are the wireless cards used by laptops to connect to the Internet through Wi-Fi, a technical standard (officially called 802.11) that does not have a government licence but operates in "unlicensed" bands of spectrum in the 2.4 GHz or 5.8 GHz range. These are bands which governments have deliberately set aside as, in effect, an experiment for new technologies such as Wi-Fi. Almost anything goes in these bands, and any interference between Wi-Fi base-stations, cordless phones, and microwave ovens is for vendors, not the government, to sort out.
What the article doesn't say, is that licensed services like amateur radio also share these bands and for the moment at least have priority. If the economists have their way, that may change, and all of us will be on a "level playing field". With the trend of governments to walk away from their traditional role as spectrum police, we are already starting down that road.
VE3PU
(RAC News Service)
________________
Aug. 23 2004 Korea considering law legalizing use of BPL modems below 30 MHz
On 17th August, MIC, the Ministry of Information and Communication, Republic of Korea announced that a bill for the Radio Law would be submitted to the Diet in late this month; http://www.mic.go.kr/notice/index_view.jsp?idx=3653
(Korean only. No English release available now)
After amendments of the law and corresponding regulations, PLC modems which use frequency below 30MHz would be freely usable in that country.
The allowable leakage from the modems would be 500 microvolts/meter at the distance of 3 meters.
( Editors note: In Canada the current emission limits for license exempt devices are 100 microvolts/meter at 30 metres from 3 to 10 MHz, and 30 microvolts/meter at 30 metres from 10 to 30 MHz.)
(Thanks to Cosy MUTO JH5ESM)
(RAC News Service)
_______________
Aug. 21 2004 NTT to study ways of reducing interference from BPL
In Tokyo, NTT Advanced Technology Corp announced that the unit of telecommunications giant Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corp. will join the testing of high-speed data communications using power lines.
The company called NTT-AT will test, at its facility in Tsukuba, Ibaraki Prefecture, how to reduce the leaking of radio waves from power lines, for some eight months until March 2005. Under the so-called power line communications, or PLC, system, users can access the Internet by connecting their computers to electrical outlets. The technology uses frequency bands of 2-30 megahertz, use of which for such data transmission is currently banned under the law.
Ham operators are opposed to the introduction of the technology, claiming that radio waves could leak from power lines and affect wireless communications.
The Ministry of Public Management, Home Affairs, Posts and Telecommunications plans to revise the law to pave the way for PLC services if tests confirm that radio wave leaks from power lines do not interfere with ham communications or shortwave broadcasts.
Before NTT-AT, power suppliers, such as Tokyo Electric Power Co. , started similar experiments, along with Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. and Mitsubishi Electric Corp.
(RAC News Service)
______________
Great Britain...Ofcom Proposes 27MHz Community Audio Distribution Systems
Ofcom proposes to allow local religious and community organisations to operate within the UK Citizens' Band allocation. To begin with, a small number of such organisations will be licensed to transmit services in a limited number of pilot areas. These would be called Community Audio Distribution Systems (CADS). At present, some housebound religious congregation members, who wish to hear local religious community services, are unable to do so. Ofcom is proposing to allow CADS users to share spectrum with the Citizens' Band radio service in a way that will provide the flexibility required to transmit religious and community service material whilst protecting other spectrum users from harmful interference.
Community Audio Distribution Systems would, in practice, constitute simple, short-range and inexpensive wireless public address systems. The evidence of demand for such arrangements has arisen primarily from within religious communities and this is therefore where Ofcom expects the majority of use to arise. However, other community groups could also use the arrangements for other similar purposes. To test these plans, Ofcom is proposing a closely monitored year-long pilot scheme in the areas where interest has been most widespread and sustained: Northern Ireland and West Yorkshire. Further information is available on the Ofcom website: www.ofcom.org.uk/consultations/current/cads/?a=87101
(RSGB)
___________
VK4FUN Licensed in Australia for Promotion of Amateur Radio
The Australian national amateur radio society, the WIA, has obtained the callsign VK4FUN. WIA Director Glenn Dunstan, VK4DU, said "VK4FUN will be used for special event operations promoting amateur radio to the general public, with a particular focus on school kids. We decided to obtain the callsign following the success of the RSGB with their GB4FUN station." VK4FUN will be available for use by clubs and groups on application to the WIA.
(RSGB)
__________
News from Ireland...4 Metres Activity Night
The 4 metre activity night takes
place on the first Tuesday of each month, the next one being on the 7th
of September next. Note also that a 4 metre simplexer is
currently on test in North Cork.
It's frequency is 70.350 MHz. A 4 metre beacon using the callsign GB3WSX
is active on 70.007 MHz. The beacon is located in Yeovil, Somerset.
(IRTS)
__________
Aug. 26 2004 South African Amateurs Transmit Digital Voice on HF
Three South African amateurs made what is believed to be the first successful transmission of a Digital Voice signal over HF amateur bands in the country. The Digital Voice signal was transmitted at 11:16 am on Sunday 8 August by Andrew Roos ZS1AN and received by Dennis Wells ZS1AU with technical assistance from Ettienne Vosloo ZR1AHW. The transmission took place on the 10m band, with an occupied bandwidth of approximately 2.3 KHz.
On Tuesday 10th August, Dennis and Andrew successfully exchanged signal reports on the 15 metre, completing the first known digital voice QSO in South Africa. The QSO was monitored by Sean White, ZR1BSD.
Digital voice is a new mode where speech is converted to digital data using a low-bitrate vocoder. The digital data is then transmitted using a high-speed modem, and the digital data is decoded to recover the audio at the receiver. Although still in the experimental stages, there is worldwide interest in Digital Voice, which can deliver very high signal-to-noise ratios over medium quality SSB channels.
The software used in this experiment was HamDream version 2.4, which is an open-source implementation of the Digital Radio Mondiale broadcasting standard that has been adapted for amateur use by HB9TLK. It can be downloaded free of charge from the SARL website, click here. For more information, see HB9TLK's website, www.qsl.net/hb9tlk
All you need to explore this fascinating new mode is a PC with a full-duplex soundcard, a soundcard/rig interface like those used for PSK-31 and similar digital modes, and a PC headset and microphone that can be purchased at any computer store for about R 100. So get QRV on digital voice and join the fun! Andrew and Dennis are keen to make contact with other divisions using this exciting new mode. If you would like to arrange a sked please send email to Andrew, zs1an@qsl.net or Dennis, zs1au@absamail.co.za
(South African Radio League)
_______________
Bad News for Australian Hams
The future introduction of Broadband Powerline Communications (BPL) in Australia could be on the condition that "less significant" HF radio users such as radio amateurs and four wheel driver clubs would not be protected from any interference it causes.
The Australian power industry has a real concern about the added expense required to address interference that could affect amateur radio stations and other recreational radio users. Its arguments include that to remove amateur radio frequencies from a BPL system will add cost and reduce the capacity and potential data rate. The power industry is requesting that the Australian Communications Authority (ACA) outweigh the concerns of recreational or "less significant" HF radio users with the higher community benefit of providing greater access to broadband-enabling technology.
The ACA, in response to the power industry concerns, is now examining the legal possibility of allowing BPL networks to cause substantial interference to "less significant" radio services, while other radio services would continue to be entitled to interference protection. Presumably if this becomes reality the Amateur Service could lose its protection against harmful powerline interference too. After all, were are in the eyes of some just a "less significant" radio service.
Jim Linton VK3PC WIA National News.
(AROnLine)
|
|
Aug. 23 2004 Weekly ARISS status reports available worldwide thanks to RAC server
The International Space Station is
permanently manned by teams of astronauts, virtually all of whom have amateur
licences.
Amateur volunteers from the ISS
partner countries in the USA, Russia, Japan, Europe and Canada, have set
up ARISS, a program to develop and put into operation the on-board amateur
station. The station is now in operation, and it's capabilities are being
continuously expanded and improved. Astronauts are available for
QSO's in their spare time (they are usually very busy!).
One of the contributions by Canadian amateurs to the ARISS program, is the development and maintenance of the English language web site for all users worldwide. RAC provides this service to ARISS free of charge.
Regular Weekly status reports prepared by the the ARISS team are available on the ARISS web site at: www.rac.ca/ariss/oindex.htm#ARISS%20Status
(RAC News Service)
|
|
Aug. 22 2004 Experimental LF QSO in Eastern Canada uses conventional QRP CW
Joe Craig VO1NA, who has obtained special authority from Industry Canada to conduct test transmissions in the 136 kHz band, says:
"I am very pleased to report that Frank VO1HP, operating the Marconi Radio Club station VO1MRC has completed a 2-way LF QSO with me today. I was running a class E TX at 10 watts, 137.77 kHz. Frank was running a class C with 3 watts on 136.20 kHz.
The QSO lasted 5 minutes and was conducted using conventional CW, which may be a first time a 2200 m QSO has been completed in Canada without computer assistance. Frank copied me at 559 and he was 349 with me, 10 km away."
To date, almost all 136 kHz QSO's have used very slow CW with computer signal processing at the receiving end to dig the signals out of the noise.
(RAC News Service)
_____________
Sept. 18 2004
M.A.A.R.C. Amateur Radio Fleamarket
Sponsored by: The Moncton
Area Amateur Radio Club
Location: Louis J.
Robichaud High School Main Street Shediac, NB
Opens: Vendors 0800
am, Public 1000 am to 1300 pm
Admission: $3.00, Tables
$3.00 Commercial Dealers Tables FREE
Talkin: VE9SBR 147.225mhz
(+) Shediac Bay Repeater
Note: Canteen operated by
Moncton Seniors Club. International Repeater Group Meeting at 1315pm in
the Library following Fleamarket. DoorPrizes etc.
For more info:
For general inquiries please contact
Mike Caissie
VE9MCA at (506)381-9080 Cell
(506)383-9632 Home
Table Reservations send Email to
ve9mca@rac.ca
_____________
The Canadian Amateur Radio Bulletin
is looking for an co-editor to assist in publishing news and events for
the Atlantic Maritime region. If you are interested in assisting this publication
please contact the editor Jim Taylor VA3KU his e-mail address is va3ku@rac.ca
|
|
Sept. 11 2004 West Island Amateur Radio Club Hamfest
WIARC Hamfest and Auction -
Dollard des Ormeaux, QC
Location: Karnak Shriners
Hall (West Island), 3350 Boulevard des Sources, Dollard des Ormeaux, QC
(STM Bus 215) nearby
Time: Vendors 08h00, Public
09h00 Auction 09:30
Admission: Vendors Tables
$15.00 (includes 1 admission) Public $5.00
Talk-in: VE2RWI 146.910 (-)
For information/table reservations
via E-mail at: ve2cwi@rac.ca
Webpage: http://shell.pubnix.net/~wiarc
(Vernon Erle Ikeda)
|
|
Aug. 27 2004 New web page for Radio Amateurs residing in the province of Ontario
A new web page has been created to
provide service specifically for Radio Amateurs residing in the province
of Ontario, in support of Radio Amateurs of Canada, our national organization.
News and information, as well as links to websites of the two RAC Ontario
Directors and other more general sources, are included. The site can be
accessed at www.racont.ca . Jim Taylor,
VA3KU, edits the page and all Amateurs everywhere are welcome.
_____________
Sept. 4 2004 Ottawa Amateur
Radio Club 8th Annual Hamfest
Sponsored by: The Ottawa
Amateur Radio Club, Inc.
Location: Carp Agricultural
Fairgrounds 3970 Carp Road (at Falldown Lane) Ottawa (Carp), Ontario From
Ottawa, take Highway 417 West to Carp Road exit, North to the fairgrounds.
We are in the arena, so follow the signs on the site.
Opens: Building Vendor setup:
8 am Tailgaters Open: 9 am Building Opens: 10 am until 1 pm
Cost: $5 general admission
$10/table (plus admission) $5/tailgate (plus admission)
Talkin: on VE2CRA, 146.94
-
Notes: Immediately following
the fleamarket will be the RAC Forum and Technology Update moderated by
RAC Ontario North Director, Doug Leach (VE3XK). Topics of interest to the
amateur radio community are planned and admission is free.
The agenda is: Amateur Radio
Around the World - Threats and Opportunities - Ken Pulfer, VE3PU - International
Amateur Radio Union
Care and Feeding of Rechargeable
Batteries - Dick Bonnycastle, VE3FUA
The Propagation Tools, Where to
Find Them and How to Apply Them - Bert Barry - VE3QAA
A Family Tree of Antenna Types -
David Conn, VE3KL
For more info visit: www.oarc.net/fleamarket
_____________
Sept. 11 2004 Barrie Hamfest
Sponsored by: The Barrie
Amateur Radio Club
Location: Oro Medonte
Fairgrounds just north of Barrie on Hwy 11 to Oro Medonte line 7. Go Northwest
2 km on 7th line to the 15/16th sideroad.
Opens: Vendors at 7 am, Public
9 am to 1 pm
Cost: Admission $5, 8' Tables
$15, Tailgating $5
Talkin: VE3RAG 147.000 (+)
Notes: New bigger better
location (Milton of the North) Wheelchair accessible handicap parking available
For more info visit: www.bconnex.net/~barc/hamfest.htm
____________
Sept. 11 2004 Kingston Amateur
Radio and Communications Fleamarket
Sponsored by: The Kingston
Amateur Radio Club
Location: Drill Hall
Alpha, Vimy Barracks, CFB Kingston. Hall is located in the Forde Building.
From HWY 401 take HWY 15 South until you reach the end (HWY 2). Turn left
and watch for the signs. Approximately 1 km east is Vimy Barracks.
Opens: Vendors enter at 7:00
AM, Door open to the general public from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
Cost: General admission $2,
tables $10, commercial vendor tables $20. Door prizes may be substituted
for commercial vendors admission only. One free admission given with each
table rental. 50/50 draw tickets $1.00
Talkin: 146.940 (-) VE3KBR
Notes: Plan on visiting the
Communications Musuem while you're here. Visit their site by clicking
here: www.c-and-e-museum.org
.The museum is located just across the street from the fleamarket. The
hall will have a canteen open and washrooms are available on site.
For more info visit: www.king.igs.net/~karc/main.html
______________
The Thornhill Radio Amateurs Club (TRAC), with the cooperation of the York-Durham Historical Railroad (YDHR), is pleased to announce:
TRAC on Track - a mini DXpedition.
This is not a trip to an exotic island or a perilous perch above an active
volcano, but simply a fun trip on a train, with radios.
All are invited to contact VA3RRT
on Sunday September the 26th between 11am and 6pm, listen on 7.065Mhz +/-
and 14.200Mhz +/-
Full details can be found online
at: http://omega55.dyndns.org
______________
RAC Ontario Section News
Golden Horseshoe ARES Net expands is coverage to include the Mighty Bruce and South Georgian Bay/West Simcoe areas
All Amateurs in the Niagara, Hamilton, Guelph, Halton, Brantford, Toronto, Mighty Bruce and South Georgian Bay/West Simcoe areas are invited to check into the 'Golden Horseshoe ARES Net' which is held every Thursday at 8:30 pm on the following linked repeater system.
In the Niagara area use VA3WAJ
442,425mhz tone 107.2
Hamilton,Guelph, Halton and Brantford
area use VE3WIK 443.675mhz tone 131.8
Toronto area use VE3SMN 442.850mhz
tone 136.5
The Mighty Bruce and South Georgian
Bay/West Simcoe area use VE3MBR 147.105mhz tone 131.8
Also amateurs in the Hamilton and
Toronto, areas can use 146.460 Simplex
A 'Net Contol Station' is assigned for each area, please wait for the net control station to call out for your area before checking in, and please use the repeater closest to your area.
The net is informal and and involves mainly discussions on ARES-related topics however in the event of an emergency the net reverts to its primary funtion which is to link up ARES stations associated with public service agencies such as Red Cross, Salvation Army, St. John Ambulance, social services, hospitals and EOCs across regional boundaries.
(Golden Horseshoe ARES Net Team)
______________
The South Georgian Bay/ West Simcoe ARES net will be re-starting on September 2, 2004. at 7:45 pm on its regular repeater rotation. The first net will be on VE3UGB(146.910-), in Midland. Net control stations have been assigned to cover the next four months. For more information go to: www.qsl.net/ve3rek/sgbwsares and click the link for net schedules.
(VE3GNA Glenn OBS)
|
|
Sept. 11 2004 Southern Vancouver
Island Ham Happenings
Sponsored by: The Cowichan
Valley Amateur Radio Society
Location: Cobble Hill
Hall, Cobble Hill BC
Opens: Vendors 7 am, Public
9 am
Cost: Admission $5, Children
12 and under free, Tables $15 (includes one admission), Tailgaters $5 (admission
extra)
Talkin: VE7RNA 146.680 (-)
Notes: Overnight camping
available (no facilities). Breakfast and lunch catered by the local Lions
Club. Door prize. Raffle.
For more info visit: www.cvars.com
|
|
Aug. 27 2004 Tad Cook K7RA Solar Update
Solar activity was at very low to low levels throughout the entire period. The largest X-ray flare observed during the period was a C2.8 flare on Friday. Solar activity is forecast to remain at low levels over the weekend.
Geophysical activity over the period ranged from quiet to minor storm. There were a couple of CMEs observed toward the end of the period, but these didn't appear to be Earth-directed. Geophysical activity is forecast to be quiet over the weekend.
Based on the forecasted solar activity and geophysical activity, we shouldn't have any major surprises in propagation over the weekend.
Check out pages 5-25 in "The NEW
Shortwave Propagation Handbook" by George Jacobs, W3ASK, Theodore Cohen,
N4XX and Robert Rose, K6GKU,
for the definitions of solar activity
(very low, low, moderate, etc.) in terms of X-ray events, and the definitions
of geophysical activity (quiet, unsettled, active, etc.) in terms of the
K and A indices.
A note from the Space Environment Center (SEC) and the U.S. Air Force advises that the ACE (Advanced Composition Explorer) spacecraft orbit will bring it closest to the Sun on Monday, August 30. During that time solar radio noise may interfere with spacecraft telemetry resulting in the loss of real-time data - the data that is shown on the 'dials' at http://sec.noaa.gov/SWN/index.html
The April 30, 2004 Propagation bulletin mentioned the VOACAP Quick Guide written by Jari Perkiomaki, OH6BG. This document is available at http://elbert.its.bldrdoc.gov/hf.html
The latest version (1 January 2004) contains many pertinent comments about VOACAP (and propagation predictions in general) from George Lane. Issues discussed are which ionospheric coefficients to use (CCIR or URSI), erroneously using daily solar flux in propagation predictions, comments about ICEPAC versus VOACAP, predictions on the low bands (160 and 75/80 meters), take-off angles, operating above the MUF, and several other important issues.
OH6BG also provides a list of the "Ten Common Mistakes in Using VOACAP." George Lane's comments, along with OH6BG's list, are very helpful in properly using VOACAP and understanding propagation predictions in general.
For more information concerning 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 August 19 through 25 were 60, 85, 88, 102, 93, 55 and 60 with a mean of 77.6. 10.7 cm flux was 120.6, 121.4, 120, 115.2, 109.5, 104.9 and 100.4, with a mean of 113.1. Estimated planetary A indices were 7, 14, 17, 13, 7, 5 and 7, with a mean of 10. Estimated mid-latitude A indices were 3, 9, 14, 8, 10, 3 and 3, with a mean of 7.1.
(W1AW)
Europe
Aug 29 2004 Solar and propagation report, compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS,and Martin Harrison, G3USF.
Solar flare activity was low or very low throughout the past week. As expected, solar flux declined, dropping from 120 on the 21st to 91 by the 27th. The average was down 10 at 106 units. By a statistical quirk, the 90-day solar flux average was up a point at 110. That's two units up on last week. X-ray flux levels declined from B2.3 to B1.0, with little daily variation. The average was B1.7 units. The geomagnetic field was mainly quiet-to-unsettled, with active periods on the 21st and 22nd, The average Ap index was 9 units.
The ACE spacecraft saw solar wind
speeds decline from 580 km/sec on the 21st and the 22nd to 295 km/sec on
the 26th. Particle densities were generally low,
varying between 1 and 7 particles
per cubic centimetre on most days.
HF propagation, while well down on the same period last year, showed signs of seasonal improvement, especially over north-south paths. Despite the decline in the solar cycle all continents were workable during the week up to 21MHz, with VK around breakfast time, the Indian sub-continent in the afternoon and Central America as late as 2200UTC. Sporadic-E was reported on 28MHz every day and there were occasional openings at 50MHz. The best day was the 25th,when there was a good evening opening to Slovenia on 70MHz. Owing to the low levels of geomagnetic activity there were no reports of auroral propagation.
And finally the solar forecast. This week the quiet side of the Sun is expected to be looking our way. Solar flare activity should be very low to low most of the week. Solar flux levels are expected to drop further, into the 80's, but may increase towards next weekend. Geomagnetic activity is expected to be mostly 'unsettled' this weekend, followed by 'quiet-to-unsettled' levels with the possibility of isolated 'active' periods. MUFs at equal latitudes should be up a little, at around 21MHz for the south and 18MHz for the north. The darkness hour lows should be about 10MHz. Paths this week to Japan should have a maximum usable frequency with a 50 per cent success rate of around 19MHz. The optimum working frequency with a 90 per cent success rate will be about 14MHz. The best time to try this path will be between 0900 and 1200 UTC, though on the better days openings may extend into the early evening. This summer's sporadic E season normally comes to a close around the end of August. Little activity is expected on 50MHz and above from now on. However, 28MHz will still see some activity on most days.
And that's all for this week from
the propagation team.
|
|
Hurricane Charley Wrecks Amsat Lab
Hurricane Charley has also taken its toll on the Amateur Radio space program. This, with word that the storm destroyed the building housing the lab used to assemble the latest series of ham radio satellites.
Hurricane Charley hit Orlando, Florida at about 8 p m Eastern on Friday, August 13th packing sustained winds estimated at close to 100 miles per hour. One of the places sustaining damage was Orlando Executive Airport. This was home of the AMSAT Laboratory. The place where ham radio satellites have been assembled and tested prior to launch.
Rick Hambly, W2GPS, reports that AMSAT members in the area survived with relatively minor damage but the building that houses that AMSAT Lab suffered severe structural damage from Charley's onslaught. It has now been condemned and will have to be torn down.
W2GPS says that the equipment and parts inventory at the lab are in good shape but AMSAT was given less than two weeks to move out and find temporary storage for its equipment. The Amateur Radio space agency also must begin a search for a new building to support development of the Eagle ham radio satellite and future projects.
Complicating matters is that AMSAT's insurance does not cover the costs of temporary storage or of moving to a new facility. So, they are asking the Amateur Radio community to keep ham radio space projects alive by sending a donation to AMSAT's Hurricane Fund. Hambly says that the money collected will be used to get the lab back in operation as soon as possible.
AMSAT North America is a federally charted 501(c)(3)not for profit organization. Any donation should be tax deductible in the United States. Information on the fund and how to donate is in cyberspace at www.amsat.org
(AMSAT-NA, W2GPS, W5DID)
_____________
Try soldering in a zero gravity environment !
There's nothing routine about working in space, as astronaut Mike Fincke KE5AITfound out recently when he did some soldering onboard the International Space Station.
Here's what happened when Mike touched the tip of a soldering iron to a wire wrapped with rosin-core solder. The solder, heated, became a molten blob with a droplet of rosin clinging tight to the outside. Solder melts: that's not too surprising. It's the behavior of the rosin that amazed. As the temperature increased, the droplet began to spin, round and round, faster and faster, like a miniature carnival ride.
Researchers have long known that soldering in space isn't the same as soldering on Earth. Here on Earth, gravity pulls molten solder down over the metals to be joined. In space, weightless solder doesn't flow down. It tends to gather in blobs held together by surface tension. NASA researcher Richard Grugel, a materials scientist at the Marshall Space Flight Center believes that rapped inside those solder-blobs are tiny bubbles of gas, vaporized rosin and steam, that weaken the joint and lessen its electrical and thermal conductivity.
The solder that KE5AIT used is a mixture of lead, tin and rosin. The purpose of lead and tin is to form an electrically conducting connection. Clearly, though, some of the rosin is too busy flying around to do its job properly. Is this a problem? To find out, Grugel plans to slice the blobs created by Fincke and examine what lies inside. He'll be able to see how many weakening bubbles are in there, and whether the solder made a clean connection to the wire. The samples will be returned to Earth by astronauts in a Soyuz capsule or, perhaps, after the space shuttle returns to flight. The date isn't set.
Meanwhile, Grugel and his colleagues are brainstorming, trying to understand what causes the rosin to twirl. "We almost have it," Grugel says, but he's not ready to announce a solution yet. He does, however, have some advice for astronauts bent on soldering: wear your goggles and watch out for flying rosin.
(Thanks to NASA Space news)
(RAC News Service)
_______________
Aug. 21 2004 Hurricane Charlie Hits Orlando Lab
Hurricane Charlie made its way across Florida, passing directly over the Orlando Executive Airport, home of the AMSAT Laboratory. Hurricane Charlie hit Orlando about 8pm EDT August 13, 2004 with sustained winds estimated at about 100mph.
Fortunately the AMSAT members in the area survived with relatively minor damage but the hangar that houses that AMSAT Lab has been condemned due to structural damage and will have to be torn down. AMSAT's equipment and parts inventory are in good shape but AMSAT has less than two weeks to move out and find temporary storage for our equipment. We will also need to begin a search for a new facility to support the Eagle satellite development.
AMSAT's insurance does not cover the costs of temporary storage or of moving to a new facility. Please help by sending a tax deductible donation to AMSAT's Hurricane Fund that will be used to get the AMSAT Lab back in operation as soon as possible.
(Thanks to Rick Hambly, W2GPS via AMSAT News)
(RAC News Service)
________________
Aug. 25 2004 AMSAT announces updated Echo operating schedule
AMSAT-NA has announced the planned "Echo" AO-51 satellite operating schedule for the next 10 days. Experimenter's Wednesday, which continues until August 26 at 0300 UTC, features a Mode V/S FM repeater test. The S-band transmitter on 2401.200 MHz will be turned on in FM voice mode, continuous transmission, and the 145.920 VHF receiver will be set to FM voice mode. No 67 Hz CTCSS tone will be required during this test. The digital TXA on 435.150 MHz will be turned off except to download telemetry when the satellite is over a command station. The FM TXB on 435.300 MHz will be off during the Mode V/S repeater test. After Experimenter's Wednesday, FM repeater mode will return (145.920 FM up with 67 Hz CTCSS tone and 435.300 FM down) with a TXB power level of 0.6 W. Once ground controllers download data from the S Band test, they will open satellite up the BBS for the first time for an extended window of user operation. Starting at approximately 0500 UTC on August 26, AO-51 will be active at 9k6 bps packet (145.860 FM up and 435.150 down FM down) at a TXB power level of 0.4 W. The broadcast message on Echo will indicate when the BBS is open. "Please remember, we are still in an experimental/checkout phase of the satellite," Mike Kingery, KE4AZN, told AMSAT News Service. "The schedule is subject to change. All times are approximate." He says the AO-51 command team would appreciate any telemetry captures and downloads to the Echo telemetry archive Web page: www.coloradosatellite.com/echo . Donations are welcome to the AO-Echo launch fund, which is still approximately $7400 short of its goal. Visit the AMSAT AO-Echo Web page for additional details: www.amsat.org/amsat-new/echo
(ARRL News Service)
______________
India's HAMSAT readied for Launch
A Dutch student is helping India put its first Amateur Radio satellite in orbit. Willian Lijenaar, who has graduated as an electronics engineer, has provided a transponder to the satellite.
According to the W-I-A News, the Indian project is called HamSat and is scheduled for launch in four or five months. Reportedly, the coordinator of HamSat had asked the young Dutch engineer to design and build the transponder. Along with Lijenaar's unit an Indian built transponder will be part of new bird as well.
(WIA News)
______________
NASA to save Hubble
NASA has decided to try to save the orbiting Hubble Space Telescope. Possibly by sending a Canadian made robot to fix it.
Nasa Administrator Sean O'Keefe told researchers at the agency's Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland about the plan. He also has instructed engineers to begin work to put the robotic mission into orbit by 2007.
(NASA)
|
|
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
_____________
Aug. 20 2004 Emergency Communications Do's and Don'ts
If you are going to be part of the solution, not just part of the problem, you must pre-plan. Ops are constantly reminded to have emergency telephone numbers and frequencies available for instant use, as well as a "Go Kit" containing appropriate items. Don't forget the reference materials, such as repeater lists, net frequencies and maps, as they are essential for any ham radio operator.
Contrary to the doomsday thinking, the Internet is a source of information. I did not say primary, just a resource. Many organizations have pages for the intake of health and welfare messages. Use them, if available. Anything to unclog the system is a benefit, not an adversary. Many active hams, who are ARRL members, may take advantage of the ARRL forwarding service. A blind message to a call_sign@arrl.net may sometimes yield results. Not a great way, but creativity in an emergency is important.
I am totally amazed by the misinformation and cloudy thinking demonstrated by some operators on HF nets. The basics are simple; information coming out of the area is the highest priority. When asking for check-ins, don't disregard those ops in the area with non-traditional call signs. Florida, for example, has many ops, who are not 4s, but reside there permanently on snowbird status.
Most well run TV, radio stations and newspapers have an Internet presence. Whether they are inside or outside of the disaster area, use them first. Many are full-service sites, which include streaming video. A picture can get across information much more quickly than audio alone. If you want to help, keep quiet, get a map and take notes on what is happening.
Follow the directions of net control. Words that denote emergency high priority traffic, such as break, should rarely be used unless you are sure that such an interruption meets proper criteria. It is unbelievable how many really dumb questions are asked. For example, an op breaks the frequency using improper procedure with a tone of voice indicating a major problem or emergency. He/she then gets the frequency and says, in a slow plodding manner, "I used to have a friend in town 'X.' I haven't seen him in years and am worried." Wake up! All this is a waste of valuable time, when town "X" is hundreds of miles away from the disaster area. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to look at a map or do a little research on your own before flipping the transmit switch. The basic rule of life applies to many situations ... when in doubt, don't. This will free up the frequency for real questions.
Know the type of net you are on. Most often, tactical information, health and welfare and other nets are specialized. Checking into an information net wanting to pass a National Traffic System (NTS) message to someone slows down the process.
Net Control Stations (NCS) are so important to smooth the flow of information. Their contributions can make or break a net. Good NCSs represent the highest degree of organizational ability and operating skills at every level. Some items to remember, stay calm, never transmit undo emotion in the tone your voice. If you get overly excited, then this feeling is transmitted to others, both on the net and to SWLs who may be monitoring, making them anxious.
Speak clearly and make sure your directions are just that, directions. Have authority in your voice, not as a drill instructor in boot camp, but as one who demonstrates being in command of the situation. Giving unclear instructions confuse the stations being addressed. Save all your notes and logs, as they may be important for documentation later on.
NCSs on HF should take more advantage of sending stations off frequency to pass information and then return. This frees up the primary frequency for more traffic handling. So, learn how to use your A and B or external VFO.
Take a moment to share information at regular intervals with the net. Weather updates or situation reports of general interest from affected areas or net housekeeping chores are acceptable. This will prevent many net interruptions repeating the same information. NCSs may also use this time to locate a secondary NCS or identify a relay station that may have a better copy for operators in areas wanting to participate who can't hear or be heard by the NCS.
Allow ample opportunity for check-ins. People get anxious when they arrive at a net with traffic and they have to wait a long time to be recognized. You can run 1000 Watts, but if you don't have propagation, you are about as good as two tin cans and a string. Don't get swellheaded. You may like to hear yourself talk, but others don't. NCSs need not develop a superiority complex; it turns people off. Heaven knows no one is perfect, but if an NCS does something you feel is inappropriate, button your lip and address the issue later. Arguments on the air are unwanted, as they do nothing to enhance the net's mission. This behavior can only be a distraction to the operation.
If you can expedite traffic, you are directly in an area, and the person wanting the traffic is 300 miles away, then it may, note may, be appropriate to break. Use common sense. If it is a high priority, flash-type message, then break to offer assistance. If the message is of lower priority and the other station has access, then you do well to just let it pass and go with the flow. You may have a piece of traffic next on the list.
EchoLink [ www.echolink.org ] and IRLP [ www.irlp.net ] are terrific adjuncts to Amateur Radio, especially during times of poor propagation. Many want to listen in on the activities in disaster areas, so depending on the station being linked to, use restraint. Listen, if you want, but do not transmit. The constant interruptions to a net do not override your personal desire to listen to the action. Relays popping in and out, delayed link interaction and such slows things down to a crawl. In some cases, repeater trustees and control ops have had to shut off links, as it was too cumbersome, interfering with the rhythm of the net.
Don't overlook contacting an individual operator via this mode. You need not link directly to a net via a repeater. Know your geography and use a call sign directory or lookup source if in doubt. You just may get the information you need or desire to pass more quickly if the EchoLink or IRLP station on the other end has local access to communication resources.
Amateur Radio operators value their ability to operate in adverse conditions. They have a combination of skills that can be of value to the community. This value can multiply when common sense and proper procedures are followed.
For more information on Amateur Radio
crisis operations, go to the ARRL's Emergency Communications Web page:
www.arrl.org/FandES/field/emergency
and the ARRL's on-line Public Service
Communications Manual: www.arrl.org/FandES/field/pscm
Stan Horzepa, WA1LOU
Contributing Editor
(ARRL News Service)
_____________
HAM RADIO "ONLY RELIABLE COMMUNICATION" AT HURRICANE CHARLEY GROUND ZERO
Once again, Amateur Radio has proven its value in an emergency. With conventional telecommunication systems unreliable and power still out after the Category 4 Hurricane Charley blasted across the Florida Peninsula August 13, Amateur Radio has proven to be a communication mainstay.
"The only reliable communication we have here is Amateur Radio," ARRL West Central Florida Section Manager Dave Armbrust, AE4MR, told ARRL earlier this week. He was one of the three dozen ARES volunteers at the Charlotte County command post. "We're out in the field trying to handle so many different things that it's almost overwhelming," he said five days into the activation.
By week's end, the need for additional ARES volunteers in the Hurricane Charley relief and recovery effort had stabilized. Communications and Warning Officer John Fleming, WD4FFX, of the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) told ARRL that ham radio volunteers already on duty in the five most severely affected counties were holding their own in maintaining necessary emergency communication. But he advised Amateur Radio volunteers to remain at the ready, just in case, and recommended that ARES teams, clubs and individuals work through their ARES Section Emergency Coordinator.
The FDEM says Hurricane Charley caused two dozen deaths and nearly 4000 injuries, and almost a quarter-million residents were still without power at week's end. Other reports indicate that as many as 10,000 homes were badly damaged or destroyed.
The most severely stricken communities are in largely rural areas of western and central Florida made up of smaller towns. Among other storm relief duties, hams have been part of an effort to check on residents and determine what they need and to "make sure everyone's okay," Armbrust said.
Amateur Radio operators have been handling emergency traffic and assisting the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in setting up HF communication to the state emergency operations center in the capital of Tallahassee. ARES also has provided communication for search-and-rescue teams and supported American Red Cross and The Salvation Army humanitarian relief efforts.
In addition, ARES operators handled outgoing health-and-welfare traffic from storm victims now taking refuge in shelters, provided or supplemented public safety communication and even took on some dispatching duties. Amateur Radio volunteers also deployed to hospitals, some of which have experienced spotty communication. Several VHF and UHF repeaters have been buzzing with emergency traffic all week.
Armbrust emphasized that Hurricane Charley cut a broad swath across Florida, and the devastation was widespread. "This looks like a war zone," he remarked. Hot, humid weather has aggravated the relief effort, especially for emergency medical service personnel who not only are dealing with storm-related health issues but with those resulting from the heat.
ARES teams from Florida Miami-Dade, Martin, St Lucie, Broward, Okeechobee and Palm Beach counties deployed to relieve or assist the amateur operators on duty in the affected communities.
In Sarasota County, Ron Wetjen, WD4AHZ, has been working at the county EOC and assigning volunteers to assist in neighboring Charlotte County, where Armbrust has been holding down the fort.
"We've had offers of help from guys in Montana, Ohio, and New York!" Wetjen said August 19. "We have a couple from Tennessee here now, with two more on the way for the weekend."
The Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network (SATERN) on 14.265 MHz spent nearly five days in continuous operation. It's also used Amateur Radio for its logistical communications. The Salvation Army has been providing meals, household necessities and other assistance to residents displaced by the storm and has been relying on its own Amateur Radio resources. SATERN also has taken on responsibility for health-and-welfare inquiries, both via Amateur Radio and through its Web site http://www.satern.net.
In advance of the storm, SKYWARN teams were active the Hurricane Watch Net and WX4NHC at the National Hurricane Center cooperated to gather ground-level weather data and damage reports.
"It seems as if the Amateur Radio world is listening and waiting to help when an event such as this occurs," observed SATERN National Director Pat McPherson, WW9E, "and it's edifying to realize the positive impact of their dedication to the task of helping others." (ARRL News Service)
(Thanks to Gord Hewit VE3GIH DEC)
__________________
Haliburton Forest Ultra Marathon Sept. 10 & 11 2004
The Minden club needs help to support the runners in a 100 mile, cross country race. We start our shift work after the runners have been going for twelve straight hours. We keep track of their locations after sundown, and on to the end of the race at noon the next day. It's a great opportunity to use your equipment, batteries and skill to assist this group in a forest area that has no cell phone or telephone service.
Further information is posted at: www3.sympatico.ca/ghewit/ve3gih/ultramarathon
To volunteer for this great event, or get answers to specific questions, email Len Foster VE3LGF lfos@sympatico.ca
Gord VE3GIH
District Emergency Coordinator Scugog
|
|
|
|
Ohio QSO Party--CW/SSB--sponsored by the Mad River Radio Club, 1600Z Aug 28-0400Z Aug 29. Frequencies (MHz): CW--3.545, 7.045, 14.045, 21.045, 28.045; SSB--3.850, 7.225, 14.250, 21.300, and 28.450. Categories: SO, MM, Mobile and Rover. Exchange: Serial Number and Ohio county, state or province, DX stations send DX. QSO points: CW--2 pts, SSB--1 pt. Score: QSO points × OH counties (OH station count states, provinces, and OH counties) counted once per mode. For more information: www.oqp.us. Logs due 30 days after the contest to logs@oqp.us or to Ohio QSO Party c/o Jim Stahl, K8MR, 30499 Jackson Rd, Chagrin Falls, OH 44022-1730.
TOEC WW Grid Contest--CW--sponsored by the Top of Europe Contesters (TOEC), 1200Z Aug 28-1200Z Aug 29. Frequencies: 160-10 meters. Categories: SO (no packet) -AB, -SB, Low Power (<100 W, AB only), MS (10 min band change rule), MM, Mobile (SOAB)--work mobiles from each grid field (ie, JP, KO, EM). Exchange: RST + grid square, i.e.--JP73 (log must show all grid fields activated). QSO points: own continent--1 pt, other cont--3 pts, QSOs with mobiles--3 pts. Score: QSO points × two-letter grid fields. For more info-- www.qsl.net/toec/contest.htm. Logs due 30 days after the contest to TOEC.contest@pobox.com or to TOEC, Box 178, SE-83122 Ostersund, Sweden.
Hawaii QSO Party--CW/Phone/RTTY/PSK31 --sponsored by the Koolau ARC, 0700Z Aug 28-2200Z Aug 29. Frequencies: 160-10 meters. Categories: SOAB and MS (single or mixed-mode), MM (mixed-mode only). Spotting nets and packet allowed in all classes. Exchange: RS(T) and SPC, maritime region (1-3), or HI county. QSO points: 20-15-10 meters, Phone--1 pt, CW/Digital--2 pts; 40 meters, Phone--2 pts, CW/Digital 4 pts; 80 meters, Phone--4 pts, CW/Digital--8 pts; 160 meters, Phone 8 pts, CW/Digital 16 pts. Score is total points plus 150 pts for QSO with KH6J. For more information: www.karc.us/hi_qso_party.html . Logs due 30 days after contest to kh6j@karc.us or Hawaii QSO Party, PO Box 8960788, Wahiawa, HI 96786-0788.
YO-DX Contest--CW/SSB--sponsored by the Romanian Amateur Radio Federation (RARF), 1200Z Aug 28-1200Z Aug 29. Frequencies: 80-10 meters. Categories: SOAB, SOSB, MS. Exchange: RST and serial number, YO stations send county abbreviation. QSO points: different country own continent--2 pts, different continent--4 pts, YO stations--8 pts. Score: QSO points × YO counties and DXCC entities counted once per band. For more information: www.hamradio.ro/contests/yodx_eng.htm. Logs due 30 days after the contest to yodx_contest@hamradio.ro. YO DX HF Contest, PO Box 22-50, 71100 Bucharest, Romania.
SCC RTTY Championship, sponsored by the Slovenian Contest Club, 1200Z Aug 28-1159Z Aug 29. Frequencies: 80-10 meters. Categories: SOAB-HP, SOAB-LP, SOAB-Assisted, MS. Exchange: RST and 4-digit year first licensed. QSO points: own country--1 pt, different country same continent and between W, VE, VK, ZL, ZS, JA, PY call areas, LU provinces, and UA9/0 oblasts--2 pts, different continent--3 pts. Score: QSO points × different years from all bands. For more information:http://lea.hamradio.si/~scc/rtty/htmlrules.htm . Logs due Sep 15 to rtty@hamradio.si (Cabrillo format preferred) or on diskette to Slovenia Contest Club, Saveljska 50, 1113 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Russian RTTY WW Contest, sponsored by Radio, from 0000Z-2400Z Sep 4. Frequencies: 80-10 meters. Categories: SOAB, SOSB, MS, SWL. Exchange: RST + WAZ zone or Russian Oblast. QSO Points: own continent--5 pts, different cont--10 pts. Score: QSO points × DXCC entities + Russian oblasts, each counted once per band. Logs due Oct 4 to contest@radio.ru or Radio Magazine, Seliverstov per 10, 107045 Moscow, Russia.
All-Asian DX Contest--Phone, 0000Z Sep 4-2400Z Sep 5 www.jarl.or.jp/English/4_Library/A-4-3_Contests/2004AA _Rule.htm
IARU Region 1 Field Day--SSB--sponsored by IARU Societies, 1300Z Sep 4-1300Z Sep 5 (see June QST, p 98). Frequencies: 160-10 meters. Categories: SOAB (LP, QRP), MS (HP, LP). Exchange: RST and serial number. QSO Points: non-EU to EU--3 pts, with portable EU stations 4 pts. Score: QSO points × DXCC and WAE entities counted once/band. For more information: www.iaru.org or IARU Region 1 society Web sites. Send logs to the appropriate national societies (NA hams to RAC or ARRL).
DARC 10-Meter Digital Contest--Digital
Modes--sponsored by the Deutsche Amateur Radio Committee, 1100Z-1700Z Sep
5. Frequencies (MHz): 28.050-28.150 on RTTY, Pactor, PSK31, Amtor,
Clover. Categories: SO, SWL. Stations may be worked on each mode, but count
for multipliers only once. Exchange: RST + serial number. QSO Points: 1
pt/QSO. Score: QSO Points × WAE countries + DXCC entities + W/VE/JA districts.
For
more information: www.darc.de/referate/hf/contest/dl9gs.
Logs due 4 weeks after the contest to dl9gs@darc.de or to Alfred Schlendermann,
DL9GS, POB 10 22 01, D-44722 Bochum, Germany.
|
|
Various, England: Royal Signals Amateur Radio Society, GB6LOP. 0700Z Aug 28-2359Z Sep 22. 60th Anniversary of the Liberation of Paris 1944. 21.070 21.056 14.070 14.056. QSL. Mike Humphrey, G0SWY/KF4OFR, 4 Bluebell Rd, Bassett Southhampton, Hampshire, England SO16 3LQ. www.rsars.org.uk.
Canfield, OH: 20 Over 9 and MVARA Radio Clubs, W8F. 1400-0200Z daily Sep 1-Sep 6. 158th Canfield Fair. 28.360 21.360 14.260 7.260. Certificate. Allan Avnet, AB8AA, 2050 East South Range Rd, New Springfield, OH 44443. www.qsl.net/20over9/w8fair.htm
Tacoma, WA: Radio Club of Tacoma, W7J. 2200Z Sep 3-1900Z Sep 6. First BSA Washington State Jamboree "WashJam." 147.28 14.260 7.260 3.910. QSL. Radio Club of Tacoma W7DK, PO Box 11188, Tacoma, WA 98411.
Argonia, KS: Boeing Employees Amateur Radio Society of Wichita, KS, KC0AHN. 1400Z Sep 3-2000Z Sep 6. Airfest (sponsored by Klodubusters). 28.365 21.365 14/265 7.265. Certificate. Boeing Employees Amateur Radio Society, Randy Wind, N0LD, 13038 SW 186th St, Rose Hill, KS 67133-8559. www.ourtownusa.com/~bears
Piqua, OH: Piqua Amateur Radio Club, W8SWS. 1400Z-2200Z Sep 4. Piqua Heritage Festival-- celebrating Piqua's rich history. 14.240 7.240. Certificate. Susan Popp, 1411 Nicklin Ave, Piqua, OH 45356.
Stroudsburg, PA: Pocono Amateur Radio Klub and Eastern Pennsylvania Amateur Radio Association, W3PRK/N3IS. 1400Z-2000Z Sep 4. Pocono Garlic Festival. 7.250. Certificate. Dave Haney, W3SJ, RD 1 Box 1250, Stroudsburg, PA 18360. www.qsl.net/w3prk
Heston, IN: NorthWest Indiana Skywarn, K9NWI. 1000Z Sep 4-0500Z Sep 5. Labor Day Steam Show. 28.500 21.350 18.150 14.250. QSL. Bernie Gawronski, 951 North 100 West, Chesterton, IN 46304.
Laguna Woods, CA: Leisure World Amateur Radio Club, W6LY. 1700Z Sep 4-2100Z Sep 5. Celebrating the 40th Birthday of Leisure World, Laguna Woods. 28.380 14.250 7.250 14.070 PSK. Certificate. Ernie Senser, 3031 Calle Sonora Unit B, Laguna Woods, CA 92637.
Newark, DE: NERDS, NY3C. 0000Z Sep 4-2300Z Sep 6. Only Revolutionary War battle fought in Delaware at Cooch's Bridge. 21.270 14.270 7.270 3.870. Certificate. Gene McDowell, NY3C, 1705 Godwin Dr, Newark, DE 19702.
Paradise, AZ: Cochise Amateur Radio Association, K7RDG. 1800Z Sep 4-1600Z Sep 6. 25th anniversary Trek to Ghost Town of Paradise, AZ. 21.307 18.115 14.305 7.230. Certificate. Cochise ARA, PO Box 1855, Sierra Vista, AZ 85636-1855.
Schaumburg, IL: Schaumburg Amateur Radio Club, N9RJV. 1300Z Sep 4-0300Z Sep 7. Septemberfest. 21.340 14.250 14.035 7.250. QSL. Schaumburg Amateur Radio Club, PO Box 68251, Schaumburg, IL 60168-0251. www.n9rjv.org
San Bernardino, CA: Citrus Belt Amateur Radio Club, W6A-W6O. 0000Z Sep 4-2400Z Sep 12. 5th annual Route 66 On The Air. 28.466 21.266 14.166 7.266. Certificate. Citrus Belt Amateur Radio Club, PO Box 3788, San Bernardino, CA 92413. www.qsl.net/w6jbt
New Philadelphia, OH: Tusco Amateur Radio Club, W8ZX. 1300Z-1800Z Sep 5. Harry Clever Field Aviation Fly-in and the Wright Flyer. 14.300 7.250 3.950. Certificate. Tim Ashcraft, 502 Oakdale Dr, Dover, OH 44622. www.noard.com/tuscoarc.htm
Parsons, WV: Mountain State
Transmitters Amateur Radio Club, W8T. 1400Z-2000Z Sep 5. The Tucker
County Hick Festival. 14.235 14.050 7.235 7.050. Certificate. Mountain
State Transmitters Inc, PO Box 1492, Elkins, WV 26241.
|
|
Aug. 26 2004 ARLD034 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.
RODRIGUES ISLAND, 3B9. Robert, 3B9FR has been QRV using RTTY on 20, 17 and 15 meters between 1400 to 1700z and after 0230z. QSL direct.
MALDIVES, 8Q. Jan, DL7JAN and Andreas, DL3GA are QRV as 8Q7JF and 8Q7GA, respectively, from Kandooma Island, IOTA AS-013, until September 7. They are active on 80 to 10 meters, using CW, SSB, RTTY and possibly PSK31. QSL to home calls.
BURUNDI, 9U. Pierre, HB9DTM is licensed for six months as 9U6PM, and will soon be active from here. QSL to home call.
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, A6. Abdullah, A61Q is usually QRV various times of the day on 80, 20, 17, 15, 12 and 10 meters using CW. QSL via EA7FTR.
TAIWAN, BV. Paul, BV4FH and members of the CTARL DX group are QRV as BV9A from Peng Hu Island, IOTA AS-103, until August 29. They are active on 40, 20, 15 and 10 meters using CW and SSB. QSL via BV4YB.
LIECHTENSTEIN, HB0. Geza, HA4XG is QRV as HB0/HA4XG from Masescha while on holiday until September 4. Activity is on 40 to 10 meters, and 2 meters with WSJT, using CW and SSB. He is active as time permits. QSL to home call.
ST. VINCENT, J8. Claude, J85M is usually QRV on 30 meters around 0200z. QSL direct.
MALYJ VYSOTSKIJ ISLAND, R1MV. A group of amateurs will soon be QRV as R1MVI. They plan to be active on 80 to 120 meters, and possibly 160 meters, using CW, SSB, RTTY and PSK31. QSL via RA3AMG.
EGYPT, SU. Alan, SU9BN is usually QRV on 30 meters around 0400 to 0430z. QSL via EA7FTR.
CHAD, TT. Francois, F6GYV, has received his TT8FT license and will be QRV for one year. His activity will be as time permits. QSL via operator's instructions.
UZBEKISTAN, UK. Rahqn, UK8OAH has been QRV on 160 meters from around 2100 to 2230z. QSL direct.
NORFOLK ISLAND, VK9N. Jim, VK9NS has been QRV on 30 meters around 0100z. QSL direct.
INDIA, VU. Raman, VU3DJQ is QRV as AT0RI from Rameswaram on Pamban Island until August 31. This is a new IOTA from the yet unnumbered Tamil Nadu State South group. QSL via operator's instructions.
IRAQ, YI. Rafat, YI1HXH is usually QRV on 20 meters SSB from 1900 to 2100z. QSL to operator's instructions.
TOKELAU ISLANDS, ZK3. Atsu, 5W1SA is QRV as ZK3SA. Activity of late has been on 40 meters CW and 20 meters SSB. His length of stay is unknown. QSL via JH7OHF.
THIS WEEKEND ON THE RADIO. The ALARA Contest, Ohio and Hawaii QSO Parties, TOEC WW Grid CW Contest, YO-DX Contest, SARL HF DX CW Contest and the SCC RTTY Championship are all scheduled for this weekend. Please see August QST, page 95, and the ARRL and WA7BNM contest websites for details.
(ARRL)
__________
Aug. 29- Sept. 5 2004 I.C.P.O. Bulletin Islands, Castles & Portable Operations - I.C.P.O.
29/08/2004: NA-029
K3GV/VY2 PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND -
George, K3GV will be active between
August 29th and September 12th as K3GV/VY2 from Prince Edward Island (IOTA
NA-029, CIsA PE-001). Activity will be on 15 and 20 meters, around the
usual IOTA frequencies. QSL via home call, direct or bureau. [Tnx K3GV]
29/08/2004: RDA UE1RDA/3/M
RUSSIAN DISTRICTS -
Mike, UA1QV, will be active August
29 - 30, 2004, as UE1RDA/3/m from the Oktjabr'sky Area (RDA reference KS-22,
for the Russian Districts Award), the Vohomsky Area (RDA KS-11), the Pyshchugsky
Area (RDA KS-27), Kostromskaya oblast (KS). He will also sign UE1RDA/m
from the Nikol'sky Area (RDA VO-19), and possibly from the Kichmengsko-Gorodetsky
Area (RDA VO-17), the Velikoustjugsky Area (RDA VO-09) and the Njuksensky
Area (RDA VO-20), Vologodskaya oblast (VO). He may also activate the Podosinovsky
Area (RDA KI-35) and the Luzsky Area (RDA KI-24), Kirovskaya oblast (KI)
as UE1RDA/m if there is time. QSL via UA1RJ, direct or bureau. [Tnx UA1QV]
30/08/2004: EU-018
OY/H.C.'s FAROE ISLANDS -
Look for Tom, OY/DL2RMC and Heiko,
OY/DL1RTL to be QRV August 30th to September 9th from the Faroe Islands
(EU-018). Activity will be on 160 through 6 meter CW, SSB, RTTY, PSK and
SSTV. QSL via their home callsigns. [Tnx OPDX]
01/09/2004: EU-116
GB4IOM & GB4SPT ISLE OF MAN -
Members of the Wrexham and District
Amateur Radio Society will be operating from the Isle of Man (IOTA EU-116)
during the period of September 1st to 8th. The site that will be used is
Scarlett Point, a discontinued Coast Guard lookout tower, approx 1.5 miles
South of Castletown, Isle of Man (WW Loc. IO74PB, WAB SC26). Activity will
be on all HF Bands, 50 MHz, 70MHz, 144MHz and 432 MHz, at full UK power.
The team plans to operate simultaneously on 3 HF Bands (CW, SSB, RTTY,
PSK and some SSTV) and 1 VHF Band. They also plan a high level of activity
on the lower HF Bands with particular attention being paid to 160 and 80
meters. Stations will use a combination of aerials, including Phased Arrays,
Yagi's and Quads at heights of 40 - 100 Feet. Callsigns will be: GB4IOM
and GB4SPT. Some operations from the island's mountain will take place,
conditions permitting, for SOTA devotees. QSL via the Bureau or direct
to M1LCR (Further details and a P.O. Box address will be issued later).
A number of awards are planned for working the station, either multiband/multi
mode or a combination, and QSLs will be available for SWLs. Further press
releases will be issued on the following dates: August 7th, 14th and 28th.
[Tnx OPDX]
05/09/2004: Grid EN67
K8C KEWEENAW COUNTY -
Matt, KB8KNM, and Dan, KB8UYZ, will
activate the rare Grid EN67, from Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula, September
5th. And for the county hunters, that's Keweenaw County. Listen for K8C
on 80 through 2 meter SSB. Dan reports that this is just a one day operation.
They will be operating from a cliff overlooking Lake Superior. Nice spot.
This will be their first trip to EN67, and if all goes well, they do plan
additional (operations), longer ones in the future. QSL direct via Dan,
KB8UYZ. All QSLs will be answered. A S.A.S.E. is appreciated, but not required.
[Tnx OPDX]
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
|
|
Aug. 26 2004 Amateur Community Invited to Celebrate Maxim Birthday Anniversary
Members of the amateur community are invited to help celebrate the 135th birthday anniversary of the League's co-founder and first president Hiram Percy Maxim, W1AW. The HPM/135 celebration September 2-12 will continue a tradition of sorts that began with the popular HPM/125 celebration 10 years ago. ARRL Life Members and the League's extended family of elected and appointed volunteers and officials are eligible to identify by appending /135 to their call signs. The complete eligibility list ( www.arrl.org/qst/2004/09/field-positions-135.html ) also includes ARRL Headquarters staff members as well as past ARRL directors, presidents, vice presidents and honorary vice presidents.
Hiram Percy Maxim was born September 2, 1869, and he died February 17, 1936, in Colorado of complications stemming from a throat infection (this was in the days before readily available and effective antibiotics). He was 66. His widow, Josephine Hamilton Maxim, died nine days later. The Maxims are interred in Hagerstown, Maryland.
Maxim Memorial Station W1AW will be on the air for the 135th birthday anniversary event and will identify as W1AW/135. While W1AW has been appending "/90" to its call sign to mark the ARRL's 90th anniversary, it will go with the /135 identifier alone during the birthday celebration period. W1AW/90 anniversary activity will resume September 13.
The object of the 10-day event is to work as many HPM/135 stations as you can. Putting at least 25 in the log will make an operator eligible for an attractive certificate, designed especially for this occasion and endorsable in increments of 25 contacts up to a maximum of 100 (but don't stop there).
The HPM/135 event begins at 0000 UTC on Thursday, September 2, and concludes at 2400 UTC on Sunday, September 12. Stations may be contacted on any band or mode--including repeaters--for credit.
HPM/135 stations transmit signal report, appointment (or position) and name. All others transmit signal report and name.
To obtain a certificate, submit a log extract including date, time, band, call sign worked and exchange for each /135 contact. HPM/135 stations are eligible for a certificates too. Include your name, call sign and address and indicate how many HPM/135 stations you worked.
Entries go to HPM/135 Celebration,
c/o W1AW, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111-1494. Entries may be submitted
on a floppy disk or CD in text format. Include a check or money order for
US$5, payable to ARRL. Entries must be postmarked by October 16, 2004.
(ARRL News Service)
________________
Aug. 26 2004 Two ARRL directors to step aside; balloting set in three divisions
Two members of the ARRL Board of Directors are not seeking new terms this fall, and there will be an election to fill one of the vacancies. Southwestern Division Director Art Goddard, W6XD, who's held the seat since 2002, announced earlier this year that he would not run for the 2005-2007 term. Rocky Mountain Division Director Walt Stinson, W0CP, also has decided not to seek another term after serving since 1998.
"We will miss Art and Walt, who have contributed enormously to the League's success during their tenures," said ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ, who is secretary of the Board of Directors.
Seeking to succeed Goddard is Southwestern Division Vice Director Tuck Miller, NZ6T, of National City, California, who will face off against Richard J. "Dick" Norton, N6AA, of Topanga, California.
Rocky Mountain Division Vice Director Warren G. "Rev" Morton, WS7W, of Casper, Wyoming, is unopposed to replace Stinson in the top job, while Brian Mileshosky, N5ZGT, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, is unchallenged in his bid to succeed Morton.
Edward J. Stearns, AA7A, of Scottsdale, Arizona is unopposed for the Southwestern Division Vice Director's seat that Miller is vacating to run for Director.
In the Southeastern Division, while 25-year veteran Director Frank Butler, W4RH, faces no opposition for a new term and has been declared re-elected, there is a contest for the division's second slot. Incumbent Vice Director Nelson E. "Sandy" Donahue, W4RU, of Atlanta, Georgia, faces a challenge from Southern Florida Section Manager Sharon T. "Sherri" Brower, W4STB, of Vero Beach.
In the West Gulf Division, Director Coy C. Day, N5OK, of Union City, Oklahoma, has no opposition for a new term. Vice Director Dr David Woolweaver, K5RAV, of Harlingen, Texas, faces a challenge from Doug Loughmiller, W5BL (ex-KO5I and W5DAL), of McKinney, Texas.
In the Pacific Division incumbent
Director Bob Vallio, W6RGG, is unopposed in his bid for a new term in his
own right. The Castro Valley, California, retiree took over the director's
chair in February 2003 following the unexpected and untimely death of Jim
Maxwell, W6CF. Vice Director Andy Oppel, N6AJO, of Alameda,
California, also is running unopposed.
He was appointed in 2003 to replace Vallio.
Ballots in contested seats will be mailed by October 1 to all full ARRL members in good standing in the three affected divisions as of September 10. The votes will be tallied November 19 at ARRL Headquarters, and the results will be announced that day. Three-year terms for successful candidates begin January1,2005.
(ARRL News Release ARLB026)
______________
Arsonist burns down Ham's House
A $10,000 reward is posted and the Clark County Fire Marshal's office is tracking any and all leads it hopes help them capture someone who has been setting fire to communications towers in the Vancouver area since the beginning of the month.
Until recently, investigators say the targets have primarily been state government, telephone company and cellular telephone towers. But it was an Aug. 20 fire at the home of John Stein AB7F that now has alarmed the ham radio community in Vancouver.
The fire marshal's office says Stein's amateur radio tower was apparently targeted. It believes the fire was set at the base and spread upward along the feed line. Flames fell from the melting cables and spread to Stein's home.
Fortunately, authorities say, Stein was awake when the fire broke out about 11:30 p.m., got out, called 9-1-1 and tried to get a start on putting the fire with a garden hose. But the fire took off quickly and, unfortunately, the home sustained extensive damage in excess of $50,000.
The fire marshal's office says Stein told them he spotted somone running away from his home and he gave them a description. Clark County Deputy Fire Marshal John Dunaway is leading the investigation into the communication tower fires.
At this point, the fire marshal's office will confirm basic details about the fires. But the fire marshal's office says there is certain information it cannot release at this time because it doesn't want to jeopardize the case it hopes to eventually bring against the arsonist.
Stein's home was not far from the fires at the other communications towers, the most spectacular of them on a more than 200-foot tall tower in Vancouver. That's shared by the Washington State Patrol and the Washington State Department of Transportation headquarters.
Officials say while the state patrol's communications in Clark County were disrupted by the fire, 9-1-1 communications were not affected. Damage in that fire was estimated at more than $100,000.
That blaze prompted the $10,000 reward offer from a foundation.Ham operators in the Vancouver area are very concerned and fear anyone with a tower could become the next victim. They've been transmitting word about what's been happening via repeater, HF radio and the internet across the region. They're urging hams with towers to be especially vigilant and take precautions to protect their feedlines, but more importantly their homes and their lives.
There is general agreement that this anti radio fire bug has to be stopped before someone to loose their life in one of his blazes. If any one has information regarding these fires or the person setting them please call the Crime Information Tip Line at 877 - 274 - 6311 or the Clark County Washington Fire Marshal's Office at area code 360 - 397 - 2186 and ask for extension 3396. You may remain anonymous on either line.
Mark Abramowicz, NT3V
(ARNewsline ™, CGC, others)
|
( Deadline Saturdays 10:00 A.M.) |
Subscribe to this bulletin and have it delivered to your e-mail box automatically every week, please put your name and callsign (if you have one) in the body of the text. hfradio@look.ca
Acknowledgments
RAC, ARRL, RSGB, SpaceRef.com,
SM3CER, ICPO, ODXA, DX Listening, CBC News, GB2RS, ARISS, NASA, AMSAT,
Daily Press,
ARES Ontario, Amateur
Radio Newsline, QRZ News, 425 DX News, CGC, Amateur Radio Club Members
, Published News Reports